SHIRLEY SCHMIDT ASKS ALAN SHORE TO ARGUE A CASE IN COURT THAT WOULD HELP END HER FATHER'S DEBILITATING FIGHT WITH ALZHEIMER'S, AND JERRY ESPENSON'S BEAUTIFUL NEW GIRLFRIEND SUES HIM FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT, ON ABC'S "BOSTON LEGAL"

"The Mighty Rogues" � After her father -- who is in the late stages of a debilitating fight with Alzheimer's -- injures himself and lands in the hospital, Shirley Schmidt wants to end his suffering and asks Alan Shore to argue in court on her behalf. Meanwhile Jerry Espenson's beautiful, new girlfriend sues him for sexual assault, and Carl Sack represents the island of Nantucket whose residents want to build a nuclear bomb in case of attack, on "Boston Legal," TUESDAY, APRIL 15 (10:02-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

"Boston Legal" stars James Spader as Alan Shore, John Larroquette as Carl Sack, Christian Clemenson as Jerry Espenson, Gary Anthony Williams as Clarence/Clarice Bell, Tara Summers as Katie Lloyd, Saffron Burrows as Lorraine Weller, Taraji P. Henson as Whitney Rome, with Candice Bergen as Shirley Schmidt and William Shatner as Denny Crane.

Guest starring are Rachelle Lefevre as Dana Strickland, Roma Maffia as Judge Victoria Peyton, Lawrence Pressman as Judge Floyd Hurwitz, Michael Monks as Martin Addicks, William Russ as Attorney Christopher Palmer, Paul Schackman as Attorney Pepper Minkin, Tom Amandes as A.A.G. Jeremy Hollis, Derek Webster as Dr. Giles Bromfield, Bruce French as Dr. Ted Thiel, Daniel Hugh Kelly as William Brewster and Jay Malone as Jason Engels.

The teleplay for "The Mighty Rogues" was by David E. Kelley & Lawrence Broch, and the story by David E. Kelley & Lawrence Broch & Jill Goldsmith. Arlene Sanford directed.

"Boston Legal" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning.

A TV parental guideline will be posted closer to airdate.