Roman J. Israel, Esq. is a dramatic thriller set in the overburdened Los Angeles criminal court system. Denzel Washington stars as a driven, idealistic defense attorney whose life is suddenly disrupted. When he is recruited to join a firm led by ambitious lawyer George Pierce (Colin Farrell) - and begins a friendship with a young champion for equal rights (Carmen Ejogo) - a turbulent series of events ensues, which will put the activism that has defined Roman's career to the test.