Any idea why the producer(s) of NC axed the character of Liz so soon. I mean, why didn't they keep her on until Billie showed up? That way, there would not have had to be any "sub" defendants appearing.

As for the question of "sub" defense attorneys...I believe Paula Kelly who played Liz Williams wanted to pursue other things. Therefore, I think she was only contracted for that first year. As for the delay in having Ellen Foley come on to the show, that may have been during a period where Reinhold Weege and the other producers were waiting to see if Markie Post could get out of her contract with "The Fall Guy". (They really wanted her on. I heard or read somewhere that the minute Markie got out of her contract, they wanted her to call.) In the meatime, to "fill" some episodes they probably wanted to test a few actresses until they found someone temporary. the temporary replacement actually was Ellen Foley (aka Billie Young). I think Markie let producers of "Night Court" know that at the end of the season, that she was currently filming for the "The Fall Guy", ("Night was in season two) her commitment to "The Fall Guy" would be finished. As a result, she would have been ready to come on for season three if they still wanted her, which the producers did. She also really wanted to be a part of the show even though "Night Court" had already established itself. As for Ellen Foley, in a direct quote from her, she had basically said she was "sent up the river" in regards to her departure from "Night Court". I say, "Bon Voyage!"