Rob Bilott is a lawyer whose specialization is defending corporate entities. One day, a farmer named Wilbur Tennant barges into his office and blackmails him into helping him sue the Dupont company for poisoning the Dry Run Creek. Rob decides to check out the situation himself, and what he sees convinces him to take on the case. His boss, Tom Terp, is supportive of his endeavor to stop the company from causing any more harm to the environment, but his wife Sarah isn't as receptive.