ADA Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston)

[Bill]

This from E! news, it is well over a year old, but may explain his recent absence from the public stage:

http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,7748,00.html

Law & Order's Michael Moriarity entering rehab after Vancouver judge orders him to stay away from his live-in girlfriend, whom he assaulted. The charges will be dropped if he complies with the order for one full year.

[LG.]

Yup, he's in spin dry, would explain his disappearance.

Back on topic about McCoy (I know, I was the one who diverted it to Moriarity), McCoy is much more willing to use the law and its rules to get a result he wants, whereas Stone would only charge if the criminal elements were clearly there. NY didn't have a death penalty until after McCoy took over on the show, but I don't think Stone would charge someone with a capital offense if he thought it wouldn't stick or be appropriate just to get cooperation from the suspect against someone else, but who knows. McCoy had a history of sleeping with female ADAs when he first came on the show, but fortunately that has faded away.

[Modesty]

McCoy had a history of sleeping with female ADAs when he first came on the show, but fortunately that has faded away.

LG - I had all forgotten about that! I wouldn't mind if he still was (altough, as his character has developed now it wouldn't really work that well, I think).

[LG.]

I just remember when he was coming in as Stone's replacement, cringing about that old lawyer stereotype, not that it doesn't happen, but I'd find it hard to "root for" a female ADA on the show who is sleeping with her boss, as McCoy and Stone were both in a supervisory position. On the show the "junior" featured ADAs have all been female since the departure of the very first one, what was his name, Paul Robinette? I like to see positive female attorney roles, how completely unrealistic of me, I know.

[Modesty]

I'd find it hard to "root for" a female ADA on the show who is sleeping with her boss, as McCoy and Stone were both in a supervisory position

Hmmmm, I rather think the other way round there - I'd find it hard to "root for" the boss who takes advantage of his (or her) supervisory position.

I like to see positive female attorney roles, how completely unrealistic of me, I know.

Well, some of the women in The Practice are depicted in a pretty positive way, imo.
(And yes, I believe it was Paul Robinette).