<Tr> <Th> Preceded by </Th> <Td> The Practice Boston Public </Td> </Tr> <P> Boston Legal is an American legal comedy - drama created by David E. Kelley and produced in association with 20th Century Fox Television for ABC . The series aired from October 3, 2004 to December 8, 2008 . The series stars James Spader, with William Shatner and Candice Bergen . </P> <P> A spin - off of the long - running Kelley series The Practice, Boston Legal follows the exploits of former Practice character Alan Shore at the legal firm of Crane, Poole & Schmidt . </P> <Ul> <Li> James Spader as Alan Shore (seasons 1 - 5; The Practice season 8) </Li> <Li> William Shatner as Denny Crane (seasons 1 - 5; The Practice season 8) </Li> <Li> Rhona Mitra as Tara Wilson (season 1, recurring 2; The Practice season 8) </Li> <Li> Lake Bell as Sally Heep (season 1, guest 3; The Practice season 8) </Li> </Ul>

Boston legal was a spinoff of what show