In the show, defense attorneys were called out for being knee deep in the system and their careers holding more value than 'justice', or that's how I read into the Jake-dating-a-lawyer episodes. Her boss was dirty, she was mad he exposed that and jeopardized her career.

Right, that's one legitimate way to read it, but this take doesn't work for any of the others I've mentioned. "Everyone is awful except the main cast" is consistent.

Also the one car thief that they always partner up with? What's the deal with that?