Boston Legal executive producer Bill D'Elia has a collaborative relationship with David E. Kelley which dates back to the days of Doogie Howser, MD. Directing an episode of Kelley's first show (co-created with Steven Bochco) was one of D'Elia's first television projects after he had moved to California.

A native New Yorker, D'Elia gave up his Manhattan-based television commercial production company to pursue a career in entertainment television. He solidified his reputation by directing several episodes each of Northern Exposure and of Kelley's Picket Fences, later moving on to direct episodes of other series including Law & Order, Lois & Clark, and eventually Chicago Hope. By then, D'Elia's influence extended well beyond directing, as he became a co-producer of Chicago Hope and co-created (and wrote extensively for) the series Judging Amy.

D'Elia's and Kelley's partnership was now in full force as D'Elia was the executive producer of Ally McBeal, a consulting producer for The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire and The Practice and is currently the executive producer for Boston Legal. Over the years, he has continued to direct, write for and occasionally even have uncredited acting appearances in these shows, and he has also continued to direct other programs, including seveal episodes of The West Wing.

Perhaps overshadowed by his association with Kelley, D'Elia has received many directing and producing award nominations, including four Emmy nods, but he has never won a top prize.

Sources:
An Interview With Writer/Director/Producer Bill D'Elia '69 - Ithaca College Quarterly, 2002
Bill D'Elia: Hollywood Storyteller - WP: The Magazine of William Patterson University, Winter 2001

Bill D'Elia at the Internet Movie Database.