Jim has a new lawyer in this episode: Wade G. Ward, played by Sorrell Booke. It is mentioned several times that Ward works at the same law firm (Harcourt & Lowe) as Jim's previous lawyer Beth Davenport, and that Beth is not with the firm anymore. Though it was established in a previous episode that Beth was leaving Harcourt & Lowe to establish her own firm, it is never made clear in the context of the series why Jim - a long-time personal friend of Beth's - did not follow Beth to her new firm. In real life, the reason for the switch was that Gretchen Corbett (who played Beth Davenport) had left the series.. She did return for the reunion movies of the 1990's stepping back into the role of Beth.
This episode introduces the character of "Coop," a disbarred attorney who relieves the character of Beth Davenport as Rockford's legal counsel. Portrayed by Bo Hopkins, Coop goes on to appear in several episodes.
David Chase helped write this episode and he went to on to incorporate some of the same Italo-American character traits, mannerisms, and accents in his later show, The Sopranos. Several of Rockford co-stars (from this episode and some show regulars), also went on to appear in The Soprano's, including George Loros, Joe Santos, and Greg Antonacci.
The character 'Mickey Long' is played by Gene Davis, who bears more than a passing resemblance to his late brother, the actor Brad Davis.
Since Rockford was arraigned at the Santa Monica Courthouse, Rocky must reside in the Santa Monica area. The house used for Rocky's place is in the city of Toluca Lake. Rocky was shown living in three different houses during the course of the series.