Donna Paulsen

Donna Roberta Paulsen is the former Chief Operating Officer of Specter Litt Wheeler
Williams and the wife of Harvey Specter, having originally worked as his legal
secretary for over twelve years.
She briefly left him to work for Louis Litt; however, Louis fired her so that she could go
back to work for Harvey. Wanting more out of her life, she convinced Harvey to
promote her to senior partner despite her lack of legal knowledge or credentials, which
Harvey agreed to as he believed the firm could not operate without her. However,
Harvey was reminded by Katrina Bennett, Louis Litt and Jessica Pearson that
partnership wasn't a title meant to be given to anyone, and was instead given the
position of COO instead.

History
Season 1
Donna, early in the series, is established as a sharp-witted woman, often holding her
own against Harvey and dissing Louis when he advances on her. She is first seen
helping Harvey with the associate recruitment. When Mike Ross barged in through the
door while trying to dodge the police, she thought that he was the late applicant and let
him in.
Donna has been portrayed as Harvey's trusted secretary, but more is shown about their
relationship and also about herself when Harvey gets tangled with D.A. Cameron
Dennis' scandal. She gives Jessica Pearson a very important piece of evidence that will
help Harvey prove his innocence about Dennis' evidence burying. When asked why,
Donna says that she can't let Harvey take the fall for Dennis. When Harvey learns of
this, he is very upset with Donna but later apologizes to her.
Season 2

This section needs a rewrite

When the firm is sued and Harvey is being threatened by Travis Tanner with
disbarment, Harvey orders Donna to go get a file that Tanner claims Harvey buried.
Harvey claims that he didn't receive the file and Donna tells him that if he didn't receive
it then that means that nothing came by her desk. Albeit, Donna finds the file with her
timestamp on it and begins to panic. Mike catches her about to shred the file and asks
her to tell Harvey the truth or otherwise he will. Later on, in the women's washroom,
Harvey, after almost committing perjury, confronts Donna about the file. He was almost
glad to hear that she got the file but was devastated when he learned that Donna had
destroyed it. After having a huge argument, Jessica learns the truth and tells Harvey that
Donna has to go and she fires her. As she leaves the building, Harvey pushes the
elevator button for her and watches her leave.
When a mock trial is situated in the Pearson-Hardman when Harvey goes to trial, Mike
convinces Donna to come back and testify. When she shows up, Louis Litt pressures
her, causing Harvey to jump in.
At the end of "Rewind", Harvey tells Jessica that he will be getting Donna back.
She returns in "Asterisk" and helps Harvey and Jessica figure out Hardman's plan by
realizing that Louis has just been promoted to senior partner.
Season 3
Donna, after being rehired by Pearson Darby, engages in a relationship with British
lawyer Stephen Huntley, and after releasing the news of her intimacy with Stephen to
Harvey, is initially greeted with an approving response from Harvey. However as the
season progresses, we see Harvey's disapproval for Donna's relationship with Stephen,
perhaps an implication of Harvey's feelings and past relations with Donna.
Donna, after realizing Stephen's involvement in the Ava Hessington murder case
shamefully apologizes to Harvey admitting she was unaware of who Stephen really was
and the fact that she had been with a murderer.
Season 4
Donna was charged from the District Attorney's office, by Terrance Wolf for illegally
obtaining maintenance records from the Liberty Rail file room by impersonating an
NTSB agent, a serious felony which can result in jail time. This not only nullified the
win, but also put Donna in great danger. Eventually the charge was reduced to Intent,
after Harvey explained to Wolf that since they will not disclose the documents (which
would put them in danger) , no proof of damage exists. Eventually after getting more
evidence from Joe Henderson, Harvey was able to force Evan Smith to drop the charges
against Donna. The final words in the episode were Harvey telling Donna that he loves
her.
Season 5
To be added
Season 6
To be added
Season 7
To be added
Season 8
To be added
Season 9
Donna lies with Harvey in her bed, with Harvey telling Donna that he wished he had
come to his senses earlier. As Donna tells them that it's time they got some sleep,
Harvey tells her that everything has changed. A few hours later, Harvey and Donna
finish leaving phone calls to Mike and Rachel about their night together. As the pair
discuss their relationship, they are interrupted by Louis, who arrives at the apartment to
deliver some bad news. Harvey and Donna briefly discuss how to hide Harvey's
presence before Harvey states that there is no reason to hide their relationship from
Louis. As they open the door, Louis sees the two and assumes that they were working
all night to handle the Zane situation, which both Harvey and Donna play along with,
while making sexual innuendos the whole time. Louis informs them that they need to
issue a press release and presents a statement he had drafted which condemns Robert's
actions while signifying that the firm is still supporting him. Before he leaves, Louis
tells Harvey that he needs to work with Samantha and sign all of Robert's clients before
they find legal representation elsewhere. Donna then asks Harvey not to share the news
of them being together with anyone else until the Robert matter is handled.
Later that night, Donna receives a phone call with Thomas, who apologizes for not
calling her back, stating that he knew she was going to break up with him since they
were going from spending nights together to suddenly going for lunch, and that he
couldn't bear to hear what she had to say. Donna tells him that he is a good man and the
pair amicably end their relationship. Donna later receives a phone call from Harvey that
he cannot come over to her apartment tonight, and tells her that he feels bad for lying to
Samantha about needing to be alone when he had rushed out of her office. Donna
divulges that she just broke up with Thomas, causing Harvey to briefly regret his
decision, informing her that he did not know that she was still dating him when he came
over. Donna soothes the blow by claiming that while they hadn't officially broken up,
Thomas knew that it was over, adding that Harvey did nothing wrong.
Following his run-in with Samantha, Harvey heads to Donna's office, notifying her that
Samantha knows about them. While Donna understands where Samantha is coming
from, Harvey responds that he cannot accept the things Samantha said to him and that
he would have punched her if she wasn't a woman. Donna reminds him that Samantha
does not like being treated differently for being a woman, and that since Samantha loves
to fight, Harvey should box with her and that way they can get it out of their system.
Harvey retorts that he is not hitting a woman, while Donna adds that Samantha has
military training and that in a fight, she believes Samantha would win. Harvey begins to
leave in bewilderment, although Donna adds that they would both like to fight each
other and that for Harvey to refuse getting in the ring with her just because she is a
woman would be disrespectful of her.
The next night, Donna goes to Mike and Rachel's old apartment at Harvey's behest,
wondering why he invited her there. Harvey discloses that when Mike suddenly left
New York, he asked Harvey to rent out the apartment on his behalf; wanting to retain
the apartment in case they ever returned, Harvey created a fake tenant and had been
paying the rent every month. Harvey tells Donna that a week ago, he wouldn't have
slept with her if he knew she was still with Thomas, but that the moment he realized he
wanted to be with her, he felt like he was already in a relationship with her. He adds that
he thought he was going to lose everything at the hearing, and despite not losing, he felt
empty in the aftermath, and that things finally made sense when they got together. He
then admits that the name he used for the fake tenant was none other than Rick Sorkin,
which Donna remembers is the name of the applicant who didn't show up to Harvey's
associate interviews. Harvey tells Donna that he loves that she gets him, and the pair
kiss.[1]
The next morning, Donna and Harvey head to Louis' house, where they see him wearing
a Speedo, which Louis refers to as a "mankini", claiming that wearing it instead of
underwear is extremely supportive. Harvey and Donna refuse the offer and instead try to
tell him that they are together and to explain why Harvey spent the night at Donna's
apartment, although Louis is oblivious and believes that by together they mean standing
together side-by-side and that Harvey had spent the night at Donna's due to plumbing
issues. Donna then explicitly states that she and Harvey are in a relationship and that
they didn't want to share the news before when the timing was bad, with Harvey adding
that they wanted Louis to know, as their partner and friend, although Louis replies that
while he is happy to hear their good news, there is also some bad news.
Back at the firm, Donna inquires into how long Faye is going to stay, with Louis
responding that it would up to the discretion of the New York State Bar Association.
Harvey retorts that there is no way he would accept some outside taking control of his
firm, while Alex Williams begins to tell Louis that they could have avoided it, only for
Samantha to intercede, claiming that Alex was going to say that they could have
avoided this predicament had they removed Robert's name.
At that moment, Faye walks in, announcing that she wished to meet them and criticizing
the firm's management, such as how the firm had two disbarred managing partners in
two years, a junior partner who had gone to prison, and that she believes Harvey was an
involved party in Mike Ross' fraud. Faye adds that if they want her gone, they would
have to show her that they would stop crossing lines and fly straight, revealing that not
only does she have the power to fire them, but that she can approve cases, allocate
resources and do anything else she sees fit in her capacity as Special Master. Faye
announces that her first order of business would be removing Robert Zane's name from
the firm name, causing Samantha to reply that she would find dirt on Faye if Faye
attempted to do so. Faye responds that this kind of thinking is the exact reason she had
to take over their firm and that Samantha has no say in the matter, causing Samantha to
retort that she would be leaving the firm. As she storms out, Faye informs the others that
their days of operating the firm as they seem fit, likening it to the Wild West, are over.
Returning to her office, Donna is questioned by Katrina how long Faye would be at
their firm when Faye herself walks in. Katrina introduces herself to Faye before
excusing herself, and Faye asks Donna to schedule an exit interview with Thomas,
stating that she finds it hard to accept that a man would fire his law firm after that firm
placed his interests high enough to break privilege. Knowing that Thomas would not lie
for them again, Donna goes to Harvey's office to notify him of Faye's plan and adding
that they need to get rid of Faye, with Harvey replying that they need to find a way to
avoid that exit interview.
In her office, Donna is informed by Harvey that Thomas has agreed to be their client
again. Donna wonders if Thomas would arrive to sign the engagement letter as Faye
wishes to have the exit interview with him, although she calms down when Harvey
informs her that Thomas had given his word. Donna asks Harvey how he can make
everything feel better, to which he responds that it is because he is Superman and Donna
is Lana Lang. Donna retorts that she is Lois Lane instead, although Harvey quips that
she is the best of both as she is a redhead before he leaves, claiming to go save
Metropolis, which Donna scoffs at, claiming Harvey does not even know his own phone
number. Shortly after, Thomas arrives at Donna's office to sign the engagement letter.
He and Donna have a small chat, and Thomas elects to take the letter to Harvey's office
to sign there instead of signing it now and giving it to Donna.
Louis returns to the firm after going out for bowling, meeting with Donna in the
associates' kitchen. He apologizes for not celebrating in the monumental news of
Donna's relationship with Harvey and asks to indulge in conversation, specifically
regarding and comparing Harvey's sexual prowess. As Donna leaves and heads to
Harvey's office to inform him of what Louis had said to her, Harvey notifies her that
Thomas backed out of signing with them as he could not handle Harvey and Donna
being together. Knowing that Thomas no longer being a client would lead to Faye going
through with the exit interview, Donna tells Harvey that she would tell Faye the truth.
Heading to Faye's office, Donna informs Faye that she was in a relationship with
Thomas that ended and that this led to Thomas leaving the firm; additionally, Donna
adds that having an exit interview with him would reopen the wound and asks Faye if
she ever had a relationship she thought would last but ended badly. Faye, sympathizing
with the situation due to the circumstance with her husband, thanks Donna for telling
her the truth and notifies her that she will no longer be seeking an exit interview with
Thomas.
Donna returns to Harvey's office, but as the pair begin discussing and
flirting, Gretchen interrupts them and tells them to head to IT right away. There, they
find Louis reprimanding Benjamin for ratting his orders out to Faye, and he tells
Benjamin that he is fired. Donna refuses to have Benjamin fired and asks for it to be put
to a vote, only for Louis to respond that as managing partner, he can fire support staff
without the need for a vote and that Harvey would only agree with Donna in a vote
because they are in a relationship. Donna replies that Harvey wouldn't do that, but both
she and Louis notice that Harvey is hesitant to argue against Benjamin's firing. Faye
then appears and tells Louis that Benjamin would not be fired, while Louis leaves after
replying that he is not sticking around for Faye to publicly humiliate him for a third
time.[2]
The next morning, Donna is in her office when Harvey enters, asking why they hadn't
spent the night together. Donna states that she doesn't like that Harvey agreed with her
publicly while personally disagreeing with his stance, and after Harvey replies that he
didn't want her to be mad at him, she realizes that he is fearful that she would leave him.
Donna reassures him that she would not leave him, especially due to a work-related
incident. Harvey reveals that he occasionally watches The Oprah Winfrey Show and
discusses maintaining the work-life balance in their relationship when Gretchen
interrupts them, notifying them that Faye stripped Louis of his title as managing partner
and that they need to go see him. Harvey, however, tells Donna to see Louis alone while
he goes to Faye's office to talk to her. Donna heads to Louis' office, noting a worker
scraping his title off his office window. She apologizes for the events of the previous
night, revealing that she has an older sister who turned her boyfriends into doormats, a
fate she does not wish Harvey to befall to, and assures Louis that she would not allow
her relationship with Harvey to affect how they treat him.
The next day, Faye heads to Donna's office, notifying Donna that she is now acting
managing partner and that she requires a secretary. Donna initially refuses as she is now
COO, claiming that resuming secretarial work would send an unflattering message,
although Faye responds that she has heard Donna was the best in the firm and wants
Donna to manage her files for her. Donna asks if she would get demoted if she refuses,
which Faye affirms. Not wanting to receive a demotion and lose her title as COO,
Donna agrees to perform secretarial duties for Faye.
While managing Faye's files in her office, Harvey storms in to discuss the threat of
being sued by his client, Dan Foley. However, Donna is too busy being Faye's secretary,
angering Harvey. Donna stops Harvey from going to Faye, not wanting him to fight her
battles, and suggests that they go out for dinner to clear their head and prevent their
work troubles from affecting their relationship. Donna heads to the bathroom to apply
lipstick when Gretchen walks in, informing her that Faye is looking for her. Donna adds
that Faye wishes for her to be her secretary and asks Gretchen to cover for her while she
goes out for dinner. Gretchen discloses that she is aware that Donna and Harvey are
together and offers to take over Faye's secretarial duties on her behalf. Donna initially
refuses, but when Gretchen is adamant on doing so, Donna thanks her and leaves,
stating that she owes Gretchen.
At the restaurant, Harvey discusses Faye at length before the pair realize their dinner
was to avoid the Faye situation. The pair find themselves awkward with nothing to say
until Harvey divulges that Donna reminds him of Ricky Garfield's mom. Harvey
explains to a confused Donna that Ricky Garfield was a kid who had moved into the
neighborhood when he was sixteen and that Harvey developed a crush on his mother, a
redhead. Donna receives a phone call from Louis, intending to answer it as she
promised she would be there for Louis, although Harvey responds that this dinner was
meant for the two of them. Donna then elects not to answer the call and the two laugh
after Harvey makes a joke, unaware that Louis is watching them.
The next night, Louis returns home for the night and is confused to hear Donna's
laughter. He heads into the kitchen to find Donna and Sheila talking, with Donna
attempting to convince Sheila to have Louis stay at the firm. Louis informs her that he
has already chosen to remain at the firm, to which Donna replies by suggesting they
have a girls' night, much to Louis' delight, who wishes to watch Dirty Dancing with her.
[3]
A week later, Donna Paulsen is making Harvey a cup of coffee at his apartment to
discuss the fact that she is meeting her father, Jim Paulsen. for breakfast and wants
Harvey to tag along so that they can share the news of their relationship together.
Harvey points out that Jim isn't a fan of him as he had threatened Jim's livelihood in the
past to prevent him from taking Donna's money, along with Jim accusing Harvey of
putting Mike ahead of Donna, referencing when Anita Gibbs brought him in to pressure
Donna into incriminating Harvey.
Donna returns to the firm to find Faye waiting for her in her office. Faye tells Donna
that she's aware that she and Harvey are in a relationship, and citing that 2 out of the 5
people in firm management being in a relationship causes them to have influence over
the other and therefore tells Donna that she must give up her power to vote. Donna is
aghast and asks why she must give her vote away and not Harvey, with Faye replying
that it is because Harvey is a senior partner and a former managing partner. However,
Faye offers to accept Harvey's vote in exchange for Donna's if the pair reach an
agreement, stipulating that if they do not, she will choose who loses their vote.
Donna then goes to the copy room where she is found by Harvey. Harvey notices that
Donna is upset about something when Donna mentions giving up something important
to her because of their relationship, although when Harvey inquires into it, Donna tells
Harvey it is because of her father, adding that she can't be with someone who can't get
along with her father and that Harvey never even told Lily, his mother. Harvey replies
that he didn't think he had to, and before she leaves, Donna responds that it is because
Lily was not an important part of Harvey's but that her father is.
Donna confronts Faye in her office, not wanting to lose her vote, and explains to Harvey
that the two not only influence each other, but balance the other out. However, when
Faye replies that individual circumstances do not matter, Donna mentions mentions
Faye's ex-husband, believing it is personal for Faye since she and her ex-husband had a
conflict of interest at work, adding that she and Harvey aren't them. Faye is angered that
Donna mentioned her ex-husband and replies that it isn't a negotiation and that the next
day she would revoke one of their votes due to the conflict of interest.
In Harvey's office, Donna berates Harvey for insulting Jim and thinking he's better than
her. Harvey immediately asks Donna what is wrong, stating that while he may have
made a mistake with him, he knows that Donna knows that he doesn't think he is better
than her. Donna then divulges the truth about Faye planning to revoke her voting power,
maddening Harvey. As Harvey attempts to head to Faye's office to protest her actions,
Louis walks in, notifying Harvey that he is going to talk to Faye about getting Gretchen
back. Harvey tells him that Faye is trying to take Donna's vote away and that he would
be talking to Faye right now; when Louis proposes that they go together as a united
front, Harvey responds that they do not have enough leverage to demand more than one
thing, and that Donna's vote trumps Louis gaining Gretchen back. Louis is angered that
Harvey is placing his wants over his, only for Harvey to lash out that Faye's presence is
Louis' fault for signing over the firm to her without putting up a fight. This causes Louis
to angrily retort that Faye being Special Master is his fault since she only took over their
firm due to Robert and Jessica's disbarment, both of which happened because of Harvey,
the latter of which because he hired Mike knowing he was a fraud. Louis then storms up
while Donna prevents Harvey from lashing out further, explaining that he and Louis got
angry because they were insulted, which is exactly what Jim felt.
In her apartment the next night, Donna finishes leaving a voicemail for Rachel when
Harvey walks in, telling her that he and her father were on good terms. Harvey then tells
Donna if they are going to be in a relationship, she needs to trust him with the truth and
if something is bothering her even if she doesn't want him to act on it. Donna then
humorously asks what he means by if they were to be in a relationship, to which Harvey
replies that they would be together forever. Donna jokingly takes that as a proposal and
stumbles through her words when Harvey mentions that there would be no point
officially proposing to her because whatever way he did it would not be the way she
would want him to do it, and therefore it didn't matter. Donna then asks Harvey if
they're engaged and it is Harvey's turn to stutter, although Lily calls him, saving him
from the conversation. He answers the call and tells her that the Jim issue was resolved
before putting the call on speakerphone and introducing Donna and Lily to each other.
Harvey then attempts to end the call, only for Donna to take the phone and talk to Lily,
while Harvey looks at her and smiles.[4]
Relationships
Donna is an excellent networker and was "tied-in" to the gossip and under-belly
happenings of Pearson Hardman. Her network is extensive and runs through most of
New York City. As a result, Donna is regarded somewhat warily by associates and
partners alike. However, she is an excellent confidante and a great people person, which
allows her to maintain relationships with people that Harvey cannot. She is social, fun,
witty, and charming, and people enjoy interacting with her.
Harvey Specter
Harvey Specter is Donna's longtime boss and close friend. Both trust each other
implicitly. They first met at the District Attorney's office, where Harvey was Assistant
District Attorney (ADA) and she was his secretary; they have been a team ever since.
After working for two years at the DA's office, Harvey took Donna with him to Pearson
Hardman.
The two are extremely close. Harvey loves her and trusts her absolutely. He relies upon
her and views her as essential to his being. As he told Jessica in "All In," Donna is
irreplaceable. Donna, in turn, adores Harvey and is incredibly loyal to him, to the point
where she would take a bullet for him. Both tend to view each other as two halves to the
same whole, and Donna has put Harvey above all other relationships more than once.
They take great pleasure in each other's company and enjoy their jokes and verbal
sparring. (They have a pre-trial ritual involving a can opener and thumbtacks.) Over the
years, they have developed an ease of comfort found only between best friends, and are
very good at reading the other. No one knows Harvey better than Donna, and although
Harvey generally tends to keep his feelings close to the chest, he is more open and
vulnerable with her than he is with anyone else. She is privy to most of the details of his
private life--she knows about Harvey's mother and brother, and is fond of Harvey's
father. (She is also the one who informed Harvey of his father's death.) Donna is also
one of the few people whose opinion Harvey values, and he listens carefully to anything
she tells him, even if he does not always acknowledge it at the time. When upset,
Harvey sometimes falls back upon establishing the boss-employee boundary--a
boundary Donna is smart enough to know when to ignore, recognizing it for the
emotionally distancing tactic that it is. She is likely the only person capable of keeping
his reckless tendencies in check. Harvey, meanwhile, is equally good at reading Donna,
and although Harvey is not essential for the mechanics of Donna's life, she relies
heavily upon his unswerving loyalty, devotion, and emotional support. Despite being
protective of his privacy, Harvey has let Donna's parents stay at his condo before (after
she cried fake tears--a fact he only finds out later), and Donna has the spare key to his
condo.
Donna is a gold mine of information for Harvey and listens in to all his conversations in
his office (something Harvey does not discourage, since he leaves his intercom on for
her). She is excellent at anticipating his needs, and takes great pride in being able to
provide Harvey with what he needs without him asking for it. She views her job as to
protect and take care of him, and will go to any lengths to do so. This was first proven
in "Rules of the Game", where she gives Jessica incriminating evidence against
Cameron Dennis after Dennis threatens Harvey, and again in "Break Point", when she
shreds an incriminating memo that she fears will implicate him in a lawsuit.
The events in "Break Point" emotionally strain and confuse their relationship. Travis
Tanner resurrects an old lawsuit against Harvey, accusing him of burying evidence and
committing fraud. Harvey denies the accusations, stating that he never received the
memorandum supposedly in his possession. Donna, however, finds the document in the
file room with her date stamp on it. Afraid of the implications against Harvey and
seeking to protect him, she hides the truth from him. Harvey nearly commits perjury as
a result, and it is only Mike's quick actions that prevent him from doing so. After Mike
informs Harvey that Donna found the document, Harvey storms into the ladies' room to
confront her. A bitter argument ensues, during which Donna accuses Harvey of keeping
things from her and she tells him that she shredded the memo. Feeling furious and
betrayed, Harvey tells Donna: "I'm not going to fire you, Donna--I might KILL you--but
I'm not going to fire you."
This makes their relationship extremely tense. Both Harvey and Donna are used to
being perfectly in sync with each other, and for the first time in a long time, they are out
of step. It frightens and confuses Donna that she could have misread the situation (and
Harvey) so badly. Harvey, on the other hand, is swamped by his feelings of fury, hurt,
and betrayal, and can see little else. He is hurt and upset that she did not trust him
enough to come to him with her problems, and a part of him is frightened that she
would go to such lengths to protect him. He is afraid that this is something he cannot
fix. These are two people who typically know what to do in any situation, and for the
first time, both are at a loss. These feelings are further compounded when Jessica fires
Donna--Donna feels hurt and betrayed that Harvey didn't fight for her the same way he
fought for Mike, while Harvey is uncertain as to how to fight for Donna. His own
personal credo of "tough, but fair" creates a conflict within him: on the one hand, he
loves Donna and views her as essential to his being; on the other hand, her actions make
her termination more than justified. Harvey is at a loss as to what to do, and he is lost
without Donna.
While Donna manages to go on with her now Harvey-free life in "All In" and "Sucker
Punch", Harvey is incapable of moving on without her. His grief over her departure is so
strong that he becomes incredibly reckless, and no one can hold him in check--not even
Mike or Jessica. It is only at the end of the episode "Rewind" that Harvey informs
Jessica in no uncertain terms that he's bringing Donna back, and it is only in "Asterisk"
that the rift between Donna and Harvey is finally mended.
While it is implied late in the first season and throughout the second season that Donna's
feelings for Harvey may not be platonic, she informs him in "Asterisk" that she "loves
him like a brother or a cousin" and that she is not in love with him. It is unclear if we
can take Donna at her word, however, since she is also an excellent actress and has
fooled Harvey before.
During the episode "The Other Time" which is referenced in "Asterisk" it becomes clear
during flashbacks that Harvey once tried to pursue Donna, but due to her policy of not
mixing work with pleasure, she resisted his advances. However when both Donna and
Harvey quit the DA's office Harvey visits Donna and she was already waiting for him
with a can of whipped cream. Harvey steps into her apartment and she closes the door
and he leaned over to kiss her. Although it's not seen, producer Aaron Korsh confimed
in an interview that they slept together during this flashback. Afterwards when Harvey
gets a new job at then Pearson Hardman, and he asks Donna to work with him to which
she agrees on two conditions: a large signing bonus and never to speak of them sleeping
together again. The episode also shows where their loose banter and can opener ritual
originate from.
At the end of Season 4, after working for nearly 13 years together, Donna quits being
Harvey's assistant and is now working for Louis. She decided this because her
relationship with Harvey is not working for her. Louis also said to her in a conversation
that Harvey is unaware how lucky he is to have Donna. Also Norma, Louis's own
assistant, passed away. Before leaving she tells Harvey that she loves him.
After Mike Ross is arrested in the middle of season 5, Louis fires Donna so that she
could become Harvey's secretary again and help him help Mike.
Mike Ross
Donna first mistook Mike Ross for Rick Sorkin during the associate interviews Harvey
was conducting, and appreciated the witty response he gave her.
Donna has a soft spot for Mike, and often treats him like a little brother. She enjoys
teasing him and trading witty banter, but she's also good for a serious conversation
when he needs it and occasionally gives him relationship advice. Although Mike is
usually on the same page as Harvey in many things, Donna sometimes makes an
excellent window between the two men.
Rachel Zane
Donna and Rachel are very good friends. They enjoy each other's company and will go
to different places together, such as the ballet or out for drinks. Both confide in each
other often, whether it is about men or other problems. Donna once told Rachel that she
used to have feelings for Harvey. Likewise, Rachel tells Donna about her kiss with Mike
and the message she left him. In the episode "Rewind", it shows how they became
friends. They are close and respect each other.
Louis Litt
Louis is a recently appointed name partner alongside Jessica Pearson and Harvey
Specter at Pearson Specter Litt. Louis genuinely likes Donna and finds her beautiful--
he also constantly hopes to steal her away from Harvey Specter. Donna, however, does
not return Louis' high regard. She takes great amusement in teasing him (much like
Harvey does), and does not trust him. This is because she finds Louis unreliable--his
penchant for deviousness and cunning make him untrustworthy.
Despite this, she occasionally enjoys Louis' company. When Louis was looking for a pet
cat, she gave Louis her opinion on his profile and helped him search for his future pet
online. Both share a love for the theatre, and Louis is constantly trying to bribe Donna
with tickets to plays, concerts, etc. in exchange for information or company. They
occasionally act out scenes from Shakespeare's plays late at night near the fax machine
at Pearson Hardman.
Norma
Norma is Louis' long-suffering legal secretary. Although we never see Norma, these two
women seem to be thick as thieves when it comes to gossip. Norma does not seem to be
as well-connected as Donna is, but she always gives Donna the latest scoop on Louis'
shenanigans. Both Louis and Harvey are creeped out by Norma, which amuses and
exasperates Donna to no end.