The Primetime Emmys are presented annually by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The Creative Arts Primetime Emmys are typically presented in a separate ceremony. The eligibility period for each year runs from June 1 of the previous year until May 31 of the current year.

In its first two seasons, the cast and creatives of Boston Legal received eight nominations and won four Emmy awards.

2005 Primetime Emmys
Presented September 18, 2005
Nominated and Won:

• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series - James Spader as Alan Shore
• Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - William Shatner as Denny Crane

2006 Creative Arts Primetime Emmys
Presented August 19, 2006
Nominated and Won:

• Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series - Christian Clemenson as Jerry Espenson
• Outstanding Single-camera Sound Mixing for a Series - William Butler, Production Sound Mixer, Craig Hunter, Re-Recording Mixer; Peter R. Kelsey, Re-Recording Mixer; Clark King, Production Sound Mixer

Nominated:

• Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series - Michael J. Fox as Daniel Post
• Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series - Ken Miller, C.S.A., Casting by; Nikki Valko, C.S.A., Casting by

2006 Primetime Emmys
Presented August 27, 2006
Nominated:

• Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - William Shatner as Denny Crane
• Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series - Candice Bergen as Shirley Schmidt

2007 Primetime Emmys
Nominated:
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series- William Shatner as Denny Crane
- Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series- James Spader as Alan Shore
- Outstanding Dramatic Series- Boston Legal
Winner:
James Spader wins his third Emmy Award in last nights awards.
Thwarting the expectations of many who of those who had anticipated seeing James Gandolfini take home his fourth Emmy for playing Tony Soprano, the award went to James Spader for Boston Legal. The award represented Spader’s third Emmy in as many nominations, all for playing the character of ethically challenged attorney Alan Shore — first for the Practice, and two subsequent honors for that show’s spin-off, Boston Legal.