Sally Heep was a young associate at Crane, Poole & Schmidt whose character was introduced in the final episodes of Season 8 of The Practice.

Sally was accused by some of being unprofessional in her dress and demeanor, qualities which appealed to Alan Shore. The two had a relationship which began at the end of The Practice and continued through episode 1x04 [Change Of Course], when Sally ended it. At some earlier time, Sally had also had a relationship with Brad Chase. Sally ended up being fired shortly after Shirley Schmidt returned to the Boston office in 1x12 [From Whence We Came]. She landed on her feet at another firm, however, and returned in episode 3x05 [Whose God Is It Anyway?] with a new wardrobe and hairstyle, along with a renewed interest in Alan.

In 3x06 [The Verdict], the "new" Sally asserts her dominance over Alan by leaving immediately after each sexual act, leaving Alan feeling depressed. In the same episode, Sally immediately falls asleep after renewing her sexual relationship with Brad.

Lake Bell
Lake Bell first played the character of Sally Heep in the final four episodes of Season 8 of The Practice. She was one of four actors (along with James Spader, Rhona Mitra, and William Shatner) carried over from The Practice to form the base of the original regular cast of Boston Legal. Bell lasted for twelve episodes on the show before her character was "fired" by Shirley Schmidt, played by Candice Bergen. It was Bergen's addition to the regular cast in episode 1x11 [Schmidt Happens] which led to Bell becoming expendable.

In episodes 3x05 [Whose God Is It Anyway?] and 3x06 [The Verdict], Bell returned to the show as a guest actor to portray a newer, seemingly more mature version of Sally.

Prior to her role as Sally, Bell's credits included a two-episode stint on ER (2002), three episodes on the short-lived Alicia Silverstone vehicle, Miss Match (2003), and the lead female role in the made-for-TV movie War Stories (2003), which also featured Boston Legal guest actor Ed Begley. After leaving Boston Legal, she played the lead role in the sci-fi series Surface, which lasted for one season. She has also completed filming on Pride And Glory, a feature film starring Ed Norton and Colin Farrell, which is due out in 2007.

Lake Bell at the Internet Movie Database.