Stephen G. Murphy, the combative lawyer for defendants in some of New York City's most closely watched cases, pleaded guilty to nonpayment of state and city taxes.

A lawyer does that by asking penetrating questions, and contrary to the grandstanding of Colonel North's truly combative lawyer, Brendan V. Sullivan Jr., Mr. Liman did it slowly, soundly and properly.

Leonard F. Rothkrug, a combative Brooklyn-bred lawyer who proclaimed his specialty and rank - Zoning 1 - on the license plates of his limousine, died Friday at his home in Delray Beach, Fla.

Brendan V. Sullivan Jr., Mr. North's clever and combative lawyer, set up the collision.

He is a combative, street-smart lawyer and former policeman who became an Alderman when he was 24 years old.

Last week, the Beijing police detained Gao Zhisheng, a prominent and combative dissident lawyer.

She is Ellenor Frutt, a funky, combative lawyer who wears 12 earrings in her right ear on "The Practice," David Kelley's hip hourlong legal drama, Monday nights on ABC.

After dominating provincial politics since becoming premier five years ago, the combative lawyer suddenly leaves a power vacuum in his party, which now must choose a new leader.

Before Roy Patterson had run for Commonwealth Attorney, he had been one of the city's more combative, egotistical criminal lawyers.

Throughout the trial, Judge Gesell was a dominating figure, despite the presence of combative lawyers like the chief prosecutor, John W. Keker, and the defense attorney, Brendan V. Sullivan Jr.