Season 1: The Foundation of Fraud
Harvey Specter is promoted to Senior Partner at Pearson Hardman and hires Mike Ross, fully aware that Mike has no law degree. They hide the secret from Managing Partner Jessica Pearson, top paralegal Rachel Zane, and rival partner Louis Litt. Mike falls in love with Rachel but cannot tell her the truth. At the end of the season, Mike’s jealous former best friend Trevor discovers Mike’s legal career and reveals the truth to Jessica.
Season 2: The Return of Daniel Hardman
Jessica demands Harvey fire Mike, but Harvey refuses, threatening to leave. Disgraced co-founder Daniel Hardman returns to wrestle firm control from Jessica. The firm undergoes a civil war. Harvey and Mike frame/expose Hardman's past embezzlement to oust him. Devastated by his grandmother's death, Mike finally reveals his secret to Rachel, leading to their romantic union.
Season 3: Foreign Mergers and Internal CEOs
To survive financial ruin after the Hardman war, Jessica merges with British firm Darby International, creating Pearson Darby. Harvey resents Jessica's secrecy and plots to take her title, but eventually reconciles with her. Mike realizes that his lack of credentials creates a permanent glass ceiling that will eventually expose everyone he loves, leading him to accept an investment banker job offer.
Season 4: Corporate Warfare and Louis’ Discovery
Mike operates as an investment banker, clashing directly with Harvey over a hostile takeover of Gillis Industries. Shady billionaire Charles Forstman entangles Mike in dirty financial deals, leading to Mike getting fired. Mike returns to Pearson Specter. Later, Louis discovers Mike never received the prestigious Harvard Key/Award. Realizing Mike’s entire background is fake, Louis aggressively blackmails Jessica into making him Name Partner ('Pearson Specter Litt').
Season 5: The Arrest and Trial
Donna leaves Harvey to work for Louis, causing Harvey to suffer severe panic attacks and seek therapy. Mike gets engaged to Rachel. Realizing the constant threat to his future, Mike formally resigns from the firm. Seconds after walking out, he is arrested by relentless Assistant US Attorney Anita Gibbs. To protect Harvey, Jessica, and Rachel from federal prosecution, Mike signs a plea deal taking full responsibility, accepting a two-year sentence in federal prison.
Season 6: Prison and Professional Redemption
Mike serves time in Danbury Federal Prison, surviving threats from inmate Frank Gallo. He secures an early release by assisting the FBI in taking down a corrupt inmate. Meanwhile, Pearson Specter Litt is completely abandoned by all partners and associates. Jessica realizes corporate politics no longer fulfill her, sacrifices her legal standing to protect Mike during a hearing, and moves to Chicago. In the season finale, Harvey and Jessica convince the Bar Committee to officially admit Mike as a fully licensed attorney.
Season 7: Real Legitimacy and Farewell
Mike returns to the firm as a legitimate attorney, taking on pro bono class-action cases. Harvey assumes the Managing Partner role, while Donna demands and receives the Chief Operating Officer (COO) title. Mike and Rachel get married in a romantic finale and relocate to Seattle to manage a legal aid practice fighting corporate abuse.
Season 8: Power Shifts and Sacrifices
Robert Zane (Rachel's father) and attorney Samantha Wheeler (Katherine Heigl) join the firm. During an Ethics Board investigation into Harvey’s past maneuvers, Robert Zane heroically takes the fall to save Harvey's license, resulting in Zane's disbarment. The emotional shock causes Harvey and Donna to finally acknowledge their lifelong love for one another.
Season 9: The Final Con and Series Finale
Special Master Faye Richardson takes legal control of the firm to clean up its history of ethical shortcuts. The original group—including a guest return from Mike Ross—unites to execute one final tactical trick, forcing Faye to sign an agreement leaving the firm forever. Louis marries Sheila Sazs, who gives birth to their daughter. At the wedding reception, Harvey spontaneously proposes to Donna; they get married on the spot. Harvey and Donna decide to leave corporate Manhattan to join Mike and Rachel in Seattle. Louis remains in New York as Managing Partner of Litt Wheeler Williams Prince.