Street Legal - Pilot

Television (Full Length) – 1998

One of a trio of Kiwi crime-based pilots from the late 90s, Street Legal was the only one that successfully spawned a series — four seasons worth. The Street Legal pilot provides a stylish big city template for the series to follow. Auckland criminal lawyer David Silesi (Jay Laga'aia) enlists the help of an over- enthusiastic journalist (Sara Wiseman) in the hope of winning an out-of-court settlement over a hit and run case. Meanwhile Silesi's lawyer girlfriend smells something fishy — with good reason.

[The character] was specifically created with actor, Jay Laga'aia, in mind. David is a showman and loves the ‘performance’ of the courtroom. Never one to bury his head in a legal tome, he relies on his common touch to win over juries — he can be charming, persuasive and quick on his feet. If he’s a hero, it’s almost an accident, a consequence of following his heart.
– The Street Legal website, on Jay Laga'aia's character, lawyer David Silesi