The fifth season of the legal drama begins with Alicia (Julianna Margulies) and Cary (Matt Czuchry) secretly planning their exit from Lockhart/Gardner in order to start their own firm. But their plans are pushed into overdrive when Will (Josh Charles) learns about them and angrily confronts Alicia. Meanwhile, Eli (Alan Cumming) tries to secure Diane's Supreme Court nomination, but her candidacy puts her at odds with her colleagues. A bigger problem for Diane (Christine Baranski), however, is the way she treats Alicia upon her exit, which doesn't sit well with now-governor Peter Florrick (Chris Noth). But that's the least of his problems. Peter is investigated by a determined agent (Eric Bogosian) from the Office of Public Integrity on suspicion of voter fraud. At the new Florrick/Agos, accountant Clarke Hayden (Nathan Lane) joins the firm, while at Lockhart/Gardner Will goes against Diane's wishes and hires shady lawyer Damian Boyle (Jason O'Mara), who has ties to organized crime.