Suits Season 2 Episode 7 - Sucker Punch

Harvey seeks assistance from Zoe Lawford, a former colleague with a complicated history, to gather evidence for the firm's case against Pearson Hardman. Meanwhile, Donna prepares to assert her Fifth Amendment right and refuses to incriminate herself. The fallout from the pending lawsuit against Pearson Hardman continues, and Harvey turns to Zoe, who was once romantically involved with him, to help select the jury for the upcoming trial. Zoe convinces Jessica to hire her and suggests a trial run, with Louis taking the role of Tanner and Mike assisting him.

During the trial run, tensions rise as Harvey's past and Louis' resentment come to light. Donna is called to the stand, and Louis reveals personal information about her relationship choices, causing Harvey to intervene. The jury partners witness a rare display of emotion from Harvey, which Zoe interprets as a positive quality that makes him endearing.

Harvey explains his reluctance to show care for clients during the trial run, believing that displaying emotion is a weakness that can be exploited. Jessica ponders the emotional damage Harvey may have endured. Meanwhile, Mike delves into Tanner's case files to uncover damaging information and secure a settlement. Daniel Hardman, upon discovering Mike's actions, offers his assistance and proposes a settlement that involves each partner paying a substantial amount of money, saving Harvey from disbarment.

Jessica, Harvey, and Hardman convene a meeting to discuss the settlement, but Hardman refuses to disclose the details he found. Harvey confronts Mike, who suggests accepting the settlement to protect Harvey and the firm, rather than risking disbarment and additional expenses from going to trial. In a partners' meeting, the vote is split between settling and going to trial, with Harvey holding the deciding vote. Influenced by Mike's argument, Harvey votes in favor of settling.

However, Hardman undermines Jessica's leadership, calling for another partners' meeting to decide between Jessica and himself as the firm's leader. The episode opens with a heated deposition between Harvey and Travis Tanner, where Travis provokes Harvey and Harvey ends up physically assaulting him. The firm arranges a mock trial to practice for the upcoming trial, and Harvey enlists Louis, who harbors strong animosity towards him, to play the opposing counsel. Donna, still angry with Harvey, plans to invoke her Fifth Amendment rights and refuses to cooperate in the trial. Harvey seeks the assistance of a jury consultant from his past, and tensions rise as personal issues and grievances come to the surface during the mock trial.

Mike, determined to find leverage against Travis, searches for incriminating evidence in his old cases and receives unexpected help from Daniel. The mock trial continues, and Jessica examines Harvey and Louis, aiming to present a more empathetic side of Harvey to sway the partners' opinion. Eventually, Daniel discovers damaging information on Travis and negotiates a settlement that saves Harvey from disbarment but requires each senior partner to contribute a substantial sum of money.

Harvey initially hesitates to accept the settlement due to his distrust of Daniel, but Mike convinces him to consider the offer. The partners vote on the settlement, resulting in a tie that is broken by Harvey, who chooses to settle. Meanwhile, Daniel reveals his intention to regain control of the firm, posing a challenge for Jessica's leadership. The partners must now vote on whether Jessica will remain as the managing partner.