Soon after Frederick A. Davis, Paul V. Reynolds and their friend Blackie graduate from law school, Fred and Paul open an office and hire Alison Cooper as their secretary, even though they have no money to pay her. Four months later, they still haven't earned any money, and Paul wants to work for the district attorney. Meanwhile, Fred has decided to defend petty crook Charles Eastman, who was shot while extorting money from a shopkeeper, but is a cohort of Fred's former law school pal Joe Benson. Using a courtroom trick, Fred wins an acquittal on an extortion and attempted bombing charge. Fred and Paul argue over the ethics of the case, but Paul eventually agrees to remain partners wtih Fred. While Fred's ambition drives him to accept additional assignments from Eastman and his gangster boss, Norman L. Mitchell, Paul doesn't realize the extent of their involvement with gangsters. Fred at first refuses to defend Eastman in a murder case, but the lure of a $10,000 fee eventually makes him accept the case, and he soon becomes a successful attorney known as the "kid mouthpiece," and severs his friendship with Paul, who now joins the district attorney's staff. Paul and Fred oppose each other in court, but Fred wins the case, using illegal measures. Although Alison is against Fred's work with gangsters, she marries him after he promises to quit. Fred is summoned back from his honeymoon by Mitchell because Mitchell's slot machines are being confiscated by police. When Paul goes to Fred and tries to offer him a deal, Fred sends him away, angering Alison and his mother, who leave him and return to their old neighborhood. Soon the district attorney, on Paul's suggestion, begins arresting Mitchell and Eastman's underlings. In desperation, Eastman kills Mitchell just before Fred arrives. Although Eastman offers Fred a fifty-fifty partnership, Fred refuses and hides in a cheap hotel, while witnesses against Eastman's men refuse to testify, out of fear. When Blackie tells Fred what has happened, he goes to Mitchell's house and searches for evidence to incriminate the gang. Eastman is waiting for him, however, and Fred knocks him out in a struggle. The next day, Fred gives Blackie an envelope to give to Paul, which contains enough evidence to convict the gang, as well as himself, but Paul burns it to spare Alison. When Fred hears the news on the radio that the state's case will be lost, he knows what has happened and shows up to testify himself. He then reveals the contents of the evidence left by Mitchell, and the judge orders a reopening of the investigation. Fred then sneaks out of the court and arranges for a meeting with Eastman and notifies the police of the location. Eastman arrives first and shoots Fred, but Fred survives and plans start a new life with Paul and Alison.