Season 1 Episode 11 - Rules of the Game

When Harvey's previous teacher faces an investigation into his workplace, he seeks help from his former student. Meanwhile, Mike and Louis attempt to resolve conflicts within a wealthy individual's family while managing their estate affairs. Additionally, Jenny expresses concern that Mike is keeping something hidden.

Jenny begins to question Mike about his relationship with Rachel after Louis hints that something is going on between them. Despite Mike's insistence that they are just friends, Jenny suggests going on a double date with Rachel so she can get to know her better and start a friendly relationship. Mike reluctantly agrees.

On their way to the office, Harvey spots his former colleague Cameron Dennis and introduces him to Mike, mentioning that Cameron was his mentor when he worked at the District Attorney's office. Cameron invites Harvey to dinner to catch up.

At the office, Mike and Rachel try to uncover Harvey's past as a prosecutor while working with Cameron. Rachel is also forced by Mike to go on a double date with Jenny after Louis reveals what he may have seen between Rachel and Mike. Rachel agrees, albeit hesitantly.

Jessica informs Harvey and Louis that their client, Malcolm Price, has passed away, leaving his estate and several companies to his two daughters, Madison and Kelsey, who have a strained relationship. Louis is assigned to represent Madison, while Harvey and Mike are assigned to Kelsey. Louis suggests a bet, offering his services if he wins, while Harvey requests Louis' coveted opera tickets as his stake. 

Madison despises Kelsey because she blames her for her parents' failed marriage and resents her for being their father's favorite. Madison wants to prevent Kelsey from obtaining the "Nothing but the Truth" tabloid, which is Kelsey's main desire.

Mike confronts Donna about why she didn't disclose Harvey's past as a prosecutor. Donna avoids telling Mike, as revealing the truth could severely damage Harvey's credibility as a lawyer. Louis establishes ground rules for the case, prohibiting access to each other's internal documents. He proposes a wager where he would gain Mike's services if he wins, but Mike is taken aback by Harvey's agreement to such terms. Harvey assures Mike of their victory.

Harvey encounters Alexandra Leeds, a former colleague now working for the attorney general, who wants to discuss Cameron Dennis. Harvey is puzzled about what there is to discuss. Alexandra reveals that Dennis is being investigated for evidence tampering in order to secure convictions. However, nobody from Dennis' firm is willing to testify against him. Alexandra subpoenas Harvey to testify before a grand jury, knowing that he worked closely with Dennis. 

Harvey realizes that his reputation and career are at stake, as some of the cases involving evidence tampering were his. Dennis reveals that the purpose of their meeting was to ensure that Harvey has his back during the trial. Harvey wants to settle, but Dennis argues that their actions helped imprison the real criminals.

Harvey seeks advice from Donna, who suggests that she would tell him everything and take pleasure in watching him suffer the consequences. Mike interrupts their conversation and informs Harvey that the tabloid Malcolm Price owned is highly valuable, and if Kelsey obtains it, she will be financially secure for life. Harvey assigns the entire case to Mike, which Mike is not pleased about. Harvey promises Mike the concert tickets Louis desires if they win, not because he wants to attend the concert, but to witness Louis's disappointment.

Harvey asks Rachel if she already has a date for their planned double date, to which Rachel confirms she does. Mike visits Louis to discuss dividing the assets between the feuding sisters. Louis cannot believe that Harvey has left the case solely to Mike and expresses confidence in defeating him. 

Mike suggests a fair distribution of the 10 companies, allocating a certain percentage to Madison. However, Louis rejects all alternative proposals, emphasizing that his client's primary goal is to prevent Kelsey from obtaining the tabloid. Louis advises Mike to back off and let Harvey handle the case.

Harvey reveals a part of his past to Jessica, confessing that he witnessed Dennis burying key evidence that could have allowed a defendant to go free. Jessica questions why he didn't report it, and Harvey explains that he left because she put him in a position to be mentored by Dennis. Harvey is unwilling to expose Dennis due to their mentor-mentee relationship. Jessica assures him that she will represent him during the deposition and defend his credibility.

Mike goes on a double date with Jenny, Rachel, and Kyle, who happens to be Mike's rival associate at the firm. Mike asks Kyle how long he and Rachel have been dating, mentioning their "bond" since the mock trial. Rachel dislikes Kyle, and Jenny asks her how long she and Mike have been dating. Jenny reveals that their relationship began while she was dating Trevor, but she and Mike were in love from the start. Jenny gives Mike an ultimatum to choose between her and Rachel.

During the deposition, Alexandra Leeds highlights Harvey's impressive record as an assistant DA and questions him about his relationship with Cameron Dennis. Harvey explains that he helped Jenny secure an internship with Dennis so that he could pursue law school and eventually work at Pearson Hardman. Alexandra probes Harvey about the evidence tampering and his involvement, suggesting a violation of ethical standards.

Harvey and Jessica meet with Alexandra, who provides them with specific cases where Cameron Dennis tampered with evidence, manipulated witness testimony, and falsified DNA records. Alexandra portrays Dennis as a corrupt public servant and seeks Harvey's assistance in removing him. She blackmails Harvey, threatening to have him disbarred if he doesn't help her remove Dennis, based on suspicions of his involvement in the tampering.

Since Madison refuses to give up the tabloid, which Kelsey desires, Mike suggests a solution where Madison can keep the tabloid while allowing all the employees to leave and form a new company under Kelsey. Mike faxes this proposal to Kelsey, and Louis breaches the established rules by accessing Mike's faxes. Louis proceeds to secure employee contracts, preventing the tabloid employees from leaving. Mike decides to turn Louis's tactic against him by sending a letter of intent from United International to purchase the tabloid. Louis convinces Madison to sell the tabloid to United International, unaware that Mike has convinced Kelsey to purchase United International, ultimately giving her ownership of the tabloid. 

Both sisters end up satisfied, with Madison preventing Kelsey from obtaining the tabloid and Kelsey acquiring it through United International. However, Louis confesses that he knew Kelsey bought United and manipulated Madison into overselling the company, leaving her with more money while burdening her half-sister with tabloid-related debts. Louis boasts about his victory, but Harvey, still grappling with his past as an assistant DA, lashes out at him.

Harvey visits Cameron Dennis at his residence and persuades him to resign from his position as District Attorney instead of facing legal consequences. Harvey reminds Dennis of a specific case, Hector Avila, which Dennis tampered with by manipulating key evidence. Harvey fears that if Dennis is found guilty, it could lead to Harvey's own disbarment due to his involvement in the Avila case. Dennis justifies his actions by claiming that the men he convicted were genuine murderers and rapists. Harvey pressures Dennis to strike a deal and step down from his position, preventing the trial from proceeding and ensuring that the men he imprisoned remain in jail.

Donna confides in Jessica and sympathizes with Harvey, considering him the victim in his situation with Cameron Dennis. She provides Jessica with some documents that could assist Harvey in his case.

In the fax room, there is a moment of intimacy when Rachel places her hand on Mike's arm. Mike directly tells her that he did everything possible to win her heart, even orchestrating a fake marriage for a client to create a real-life connection with Rachel. Mike asserts that Rachel's flirting with him now is too late because he is currently involved with Jenny. Mike expresses his desire to avoid any further complications or games between him and Rachel. In response, Rachel states that if he doesn't want to be friends anymore, he can find another paralegal to assist him, effectively ending their friendship.

Jessica locates Dennis and advises him to negotiate a new deal with the attorney general, compelling him to step down from his position. Initially resistant, Dennis plans to implicate Harvey in the process. However, Jessica hands Dennis the documents provided by Donna, revealing that they contain crucial evidence that Dennis had attempted to bury. She discloses that the documents presented were not even the original copies and that she possesses further evidence of his tampering. Feeling threatened, Dennis ultimately agrees to immediately resign.

Jessica informs Harvey that he no longer needs to testify as Dennis has decided to step down. However, Harvey is frustrated upon discovering that he wrongfully convicted an 18-year-old, Clifford Danner, who spent his entire adult life in prison due to Dennis burying the evidence that could have exonerated him. Jessica inquires if Harvey has enough evidence to overturn the conviction, but Harvey admits his uncertainty. Nevertheless, Harvey resolves to free Danner from prison.