**Name:** James Weller **Age:** 29 **Appearance:**  **History/Personality:** James grew up in an upper class family, to distant parents. He instead found his attachment at school, becoming the popular kid that everyone actually likes, with a funny, welcoming attitude that both friends and teachers fell for. Through high school and college he was a part of student government, primarily as the event planner. Although he and his parents never really got along he was content to take their money and connections to become a full fledged event planner, and he quickly rose above his parent's connections through his own wit, charm, and good nature, creating ties with some of the most well-connected people in LA. One of these connections, Derek, and also one of James' closest friends, was actually a member in high standing of the LA underworld, and although he kept the connection cautious, James was never afraid to use the black market to get what he wanted to really make his events a hit with his customers. He is currently dating a paralegal at a prestigious law firm who has the skills to be a full lawyer, but who has never been able to get the score she needed on the bar to remain in the firm as a full lawyer. He and Virginia (Jenna) have been dating for five years, but both are devoted enough to their work that they are happy with their relationship as it is. **Family:** His parents got divorced when he was 9. Mother - Elizabeth Vance - partially estranged, they talk on holidays and birthdays. Three times divorced, currently unmarried. Thomas was her longest marriage - Anesthesiologist Father - Thomas Weller - estranged. Wanted his son to follow in his footsteps, and didn't like it when James became an event planner, still married to his second wife, Brittany, who doesn't work - Petroleum Engineer Younger Half Brother - Joseph Weller - They still get along well, because the sibling rivalry never formed between them while Jamie was switching houses on a regular basis currently 19, in college as a chemical engineer. Is fully prepared to give Jamie a portion of his father's money because James is no longer in the will, even though James says it isn't necessary.

 **Laurel Jane Shaw** **FBI Special Agent - White-Collar Crime** **29** **History and Personality:** The middle child in a family of five, Laurel was a military brat growing up. The family was constantly moving around when Laurel was growing up due to her father's position in the Navy, and she lived on various bases all over the country. She even spend nearly two years living on a base in Japan, during which time she became proficient in reading and speaking Japanese. Despite the constant moving Laurel maintained a 4.0 grade point average and developed friendships easily, even if they were brief. She was also very close to her two siblings since they were the only constants in each others' lives throughout all of the moving. When she was thirteen her father retired and her family finally settled in the Southern California suburbs, where she was able to make lasting friendships and make a real home with her family. After high school she was accepted to USC, where she majored in Sociology and got a minor in art history, and spent a year studying abroad in Spain where she become fluent in Spanish. Inspired by her father's military career she entered law enforcement, spending five years in the LAPD (three years as a uniformed officer, two were as a detective). Laurel was then accepted into the FBI's White-Collar unit due to her art history minor, where she's been working for the last two years. She's currently living in Los Angeles and dating Ben Wilson, a chef at a high class restaurant. They met in college and were friends for years before Ben finally asked her out when she was still in the uniform. They've been in a relationship for over six years now and it's pretty serious. **Family:** Laurel is very close to her family. They all live within an hour's driving distance from each other and get together frequently. Father - Nick Shaw - Former Navy SEAL, he's retired and helps run his wife's store, as well as teaching physical education on and off. He enjoys his retirement and being able to spend time with his family and grandchild, but lives vicariously through his daughter's stories and offers her advice. Mother - Kelsey Shaw - Owns a book store and still living happily with her husband in the suburban home they settled in. Older Sister - Emily Rose Porter (31) - Part time nurse in a pediatrics office, full time mother and housewife, she's married to her high school sweetheart Danny, a high school history teacher, and they have a five year old daughter named Matilda (Matty). Currently pregnant with her second child and lives in the suburbs not far from her parents. Younger Brother - Peter Grant Shaw (26) - Army vet who did two tours overseas before an injury forced him to be honorably discharged earlier than he anticipated. He currently making a living as an artist, and is living with his fiancee Kim Fujiwara, an art gallery manager, in downtown LA, close to Laurel.

Virginia Thompson  Paralegal at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher Family: Mother - Georgia Thompson - Deceased from Breast Cancer Father - Michael Thompson - Journalist; never really associated with the family, currently lives in Paris. Older Brother - High end property manager, works primarily with casinos in Nevada. Lives in Las Vegas.

 **Benito Wilson** **Chef at The Bella Trattoria** Family: Father - Richard Wilson Mother - Carmen Wilson Older Brothers - Luis, Manuel Younger Sister - Elena Grandmother - Francesca Suarez - Called Abuela