as Louisa "Lulu" Archer, Nick's de facto boss from mid-season one and his main love interest. She marries another man, but Nick can't seem to move on, partially because she can't seem to either, even after her marriage. Raphael Sbarge as Jake Straka, Nick's closest friend and a law colleague. Charles Malik Whitfield as James Mooney, an attorney at Legal Services of Pittsburgh and a friend of Nick. He has a gang and drug background. Rusty Schwimmer as Barbara Ludinski, the secretary for Legal Aid where Nick is doing his community service. Jake has an ongoing somewhat ambiguous relationship with her that teeters on the edge of becoming romantic. He likes and respects her but he remains tentative. Amanda Michalka as Shannon Gressler, a troubled child. Erica Leerhsen as Amanda Bowles, an ambitious but caring associate. Kathleen Chalfant as Laurie Solt, a hardworking social worker who provides guidance for Nick. Recurring Denise Dowse as Judge Rebecca Damsen, who presides over the cases in family court Notable guest stars Farrah Fawcett as Mary Gressler, a troubled grandmother and love interest of Burton Fallin. Appeared in four episodes in season 2. Rita Moreno as Caroline Novak, mother of Lulu (Louise Archer played by Wendy Moniz), for three episodes in 2003. Lolita Davidovich as Victoria Little, a social welfare advocate and love interest of Alvin Masterson. Appeared in two episodes. Zac Efron appears in episode 15 of season 3. Bethany Joy Galeotti as Claire Stasiak. Appeared in two episodes: "What It Means to You" and "My Aim Is True". Chris Pine as a troubled teen, Lonnie Grandy, in the season 3 episode "Hazel Park". Will Ferrell, credited as "Phil Weston", in a cameo appearance as Larry Flood, a new lawyer at LSP, in the season 2 finale, "All the Rage". Corey Feldman as a former child actor, Gavin Putinski, in season 2's "You Belong to Me". Erik Estrada made a cameo appearance in a restaurant in season 3, episode 18, "The Bachelor Party". Joseph Campanella as Ralph Longo, the sick grandfather evicted from the home he had squatted in for 21 years, in season 3's episode 9, "Let God Sort 'Em Out". Aaron Paul as a gay teenager in the season one episode "The Men from the Boys" Chloë Grace Moretz as Violet in the season three episodes "The Watchers" and "Blood in, Blood Out". This was her first ever acting role. Danielle