Illinois Attorney Ike Thompson just wants to live out the rest of his days in peace.

Years ago, he was known as "the perfect lawyer" for his high-profile, pressure-packed criminal defense work in downtown Chicago. But after losing a crucial case to up-and-coming prosecutor Ursula "the merciless" Rush, his confidence was shattered, and ever since, he's resigned himself to doing small-time real estate deals in the sleepy suburbs. He'll never practice criminal law again. He's lost his edge. Worse yet, he's lost his courage.

But then he learns that the defendant, Mia Hendrickson, a young mother accused of setting the fire that killed her three small children, has been tried in the media and found guilty. That she's been brutally beaten in jail. And that her public defender is incompetent.

Listening to his heart rather than his better judgment, Ike takes Mia's case-only to find that his opposing counsel is none other than Ursula Rush. The prosecutor has a slam dunk case. The jury seems to be convinced that Mia is guilty. Ike's old doubts surface and threaten to overwhelm him. Can he face down his fears-and save Mia's life?