The film centers on a gay lawyer, Andrew Beckett, who is fired from his prestigious law firm after he is diagnosed with AIDS. He then sues the firm for wrongful termination, and the case becomes a landmark legal battle.
The city of Philadelphia serves as a backdrop for the film, and the film uses elements of Philadelphia's history, architecture, and culture. While not explicitly stated, the film's title likely also alludes to the city's historical association with the Declaration of Independence and the pursuit of equality and justice.