From McCoy To Baxter: The Complete List Of Every DA On Law & Order And Who Holds The Power Now

The Manhattan District Attorney’s office, the hallowed ground where the second half of the iconic “Law & Order” formula plays out, has seen a constant rotation of sharp, morally complex prosecutors and their superiors. As of the current season in late December 2025, the franchise is undergoing one of its biggest transitions in decades, with the departure of a legendary figure and the introduction of a politically-minded new leader. This deep dive explores the complete history of the District Attorneys (DAs) and Executive Assistant District Attorneys (EADAs) who have shaped the judicial side of Dick Wolf’s flagship series, focusing on the current power structure and the new faces defining justice today.

The latest and most significant change is the exit of the show's longest-serving and most iconic prosecutor, Sam Waterston's Jack McCoy, paving the way for a fresh dynamic in the courtroom. This shift marks a new era for the series, moving from the old guard's moral certainty to a more modern, politically-charged approach to justice.

The New Guard: DA Nicholas Baxter and EADA Nolan Price

The current legal team is anchored by a new District Attorney and a pair of seasoned Assistant District Attorneys who handle the day-to-day grind of the courtroom.

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District Attorney Nicholas Baxter (Tony Goldwyn)

The role of District Attorney was recently taken over by Nicholas Baxter, played by veteran actor Tony Goldwyn, who made his debut in early 2024.

• Actor: Tony Goldwyn
• Role: District Attorney (DA)
• Tenure: 2024–Present (Season 23–)
• Character Profile: Baxter is portrayed as a highly experienced lawyer and a politician who views his role with a "holistic" perspective, suggesting a broader, more modern approach to the office than his predecessors. He is not the "warm and fuzzy" type, but rather a sharp, pragmatic leader with a history in public service, including a stint in the Southern District's U.S. Attorney's office. His arrival immediately set a new tone, emphasizing the political pressures and public relations aspects of the DA's job.
• Franchise History: Interestingly, Tony Goldwyn is not entirely new to the *Law & Order* universe, having appeared in a 2006 episode of *Law & Order: Criminal Intent* as a different character.

Executive Assistant District Attorney Nolan Price (Hugh Dancy)

The primary prosecutor handling the cases in the courtroom is Executive Assistant District Attorney Nolan Price.

• Actor: Hugh Dancy
• Role: Executive Assistant District Attorney (EADA)
• Tenure: 2022–Present (Season 21–)
• Character Profile: Price is known for his sharp legal mind and a strong, though sometimes rigid, moral compass. He replaced Michael Cutter when the original series was revived. His character often grapples with the ethical complexities of the law, sometimes finding himself at odds with the more pragmatic or political stance of his superiors, including the new DA, Baxter.

Assistant District Attorney Samantha Maroun (Odelya Halevi)

Supporting Nolan Price is Samantha Maroun, the Assistant District Attorney (ADA).

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• Actor: Odelya Halevi
• Role: Assistant District Attorney (ADA)
• Tenure: 2022–Present (Season 21–)
• Character Profile: Maroun provides a grounded, often empathetic counterpoint to Price's intensity. She is a dedicated lawyer who helps navigate the complexities of the cases from the initial investigation to the final verdict.

The End of an Era: Jack McCoy’s Legendary Departure

The biggest news for the franchise in 2024 was the departure of Sam Waterston, who played the iconic District Attorney Jack McCoy for nearly three decades.

Waterston’s tenure as McCoy began in 1994 as an Executive Assistant District Attorney, and he later ascended to the role of District Attorney. His character was the moral anchor of the show, known for his passionate, sometimes boundary-pushing pursuit of justice and his famous closing arguments. The actor officially wrapped his run on the show in February 2024 after an incredible 19 seasons and 400 episodes, making his exit a monumental event in television history.

McCoy’s final storyline saw him make a difficult, principled decision that cost him his job, a fitting end for a character who always put justice above politics. His departure was a poignant moment, signifying the passing of the torch to a new generation of prosecutors.

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A Complete Roster: Every DA and EADA on the Original Law & Order

The original *Law & Order* series (The Mothership) has featured a distinguished line of prosecutors. Understanding the history of the DA’s office provides crucial context for the current team. These characters are the heart of the "order" half of the show's structure, wrestling with the ethical and legal implications of the crimes investigated by the police.

Here is a list of the major District Attorneys and Executive Assistant District Attorneys who served in the Manhattan DA’s office on the main series, demonstrating the show's incredible topical authority over decades of television:

• District Attorney Alfred Wentworth (E. G. Marshall): 1990–1991 (Season 1). The first DA, a figure of authority who set the initial tone.
• District Attorney Adam Schiff (Steven Hill): 1991–2000 (Season 2–10). A pragmatic and often cynical DA, famous for his dry wit and political maneuvering.
• District Attorney Nora Lewin (Dianne Wiest): 2000–2002 (Season 11–12). She brought a brief but distinct change in leadership style.
• District Attorney Arthur Branch (Fred Dalton Thompson): 2002–2007 (Season 13–17). A conservative, politically-minded DA who often clashed with his ADAs.
• District Attorney Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston): 2007–2024 (Season 18–22). Promoted from EADA to DA, the longest-serving legal figure in the franchise’s history.
• District Attorney Nicholas Baxter (Tony Goldwyn): 2024–Present (Season 23–). The current political leader of the office.

The Executive Assistant District Attorneys (EADAs) are the ones who argue the cases in the courtroom, often facing the moral dilemmas head-on:

• EADA Ben Stone (Michael Moriarty): 1990–1994 (Season 1–4). A highly principled and intense prosecutor.
• EADA Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston): 1994–2007 (Season 5–17). The iconic prosecutor before his promotion to DA.
• EADA Michael Cutter (Linus Roache): 2008–2010 (Season 18–20). A sharp, aggressive prosecutor who succeeded McCoy.
• EADA Nolan Price (Hugh Dancy): 2022–Present (Season 21–). The current EADA, known for his ethical struggles and intellectual approach.

The Broader Law & Order Universe of Prosecutors

To fully appreciate the topical authority of the "DA on Law & Order" topic, one must look beyond the main series to its most popular spin-offs, which have introduced equally memorable and complex legal minds. The franchise is rich with over 30 relevant entities across its various shows, all striving for justice in the challenging New York legal system.

Key ADAs from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU)

The SVU spin-off, focusing on sexually-based offenses, has featured some of the most emotionally resonant prosecutors in the franchise, including:

• Alexandra Cabot (Stephanie March): Known for her passionate, often highly personal commitment to justice for victims.
• Casey Novak (Diane Neal): A no-nonsense prosecutor with a strong, often aggressive courtroom style.
• Rafael Barba (Raúl Esparza): A fan-favorite known for his witty, charismatic, and morally ambiguous approach.
• Peter Stone (Philip Winchester): The son of original *Law & Order* EADA Ben Stone, bringing a legacy of principled prosecution.
• Dominick Carisi Jr. (Peter Scanavino): A former detective who transitioned to the ADA role, bringing a unique, boots-on-the-ground perspective to the courtroom.

The revolving door of prosecutors in the *Law & Order* universe highlights a core theme: the difficulty of achieving true justice within the constraints of the legal system. Whether it’s the political pressure faced by Nicholas Baxter, the ethical dilemmas of Nolan Price, or the emotional toll on the ADAs of SVU, the "DA on Law & Order" remains the most compelling, high-stakes role on television.