leight ventured into television as a freelance writer for "100 centre street" in 2002. on a suggestion from playwright theresa rebeck, "" executive producer rené balcer hired leight to join the staff of the series in its second season as a writer/producer. his colleagues included a reference to leight's play "side man"; in a third-season episode, "shrink-wrapped"; a bickering couple argues about the motivations of the married couple in the play. upon a recommendation from balcer, leight was named the show's executive producer and head writer in 2006 when balcer left the show at the end of the fifth season.