Underwood, in jeans, sneakers and a white windbreaker, had been spotted. In the District, where one out of every 22 persons is a lawyer, Underwood's show, "L.A. Law," has a big following. And Underwood, who attended the National Association of Black Women Attorneys' Red Dress Ball here last year, knows that.

[Blair Underwood], born in Tacoma, Wash., dates his fascination with acting to his days at Stratford Landing Elementary School, south of Alexandria. He also delivered newspapers and swam for the local swim club and at the Pentagon Officers Athletic Club pool, his father recalled. While [Frank E. Underwood] served first at Fort Belvoir and later at the Pentagon, Blair advanced to Stephen Foster Junior High.

PHOTO; PHOTO,,Gerald Martineau CAPTION: [Jonathan Rollins] (Blair Underwood) negotiates a deal on "L.A. Law." CAPTION: Blair Underwood and Suzette Charles, 1984 Miss America, at the Miss District of Columbia Pageant at DAR Constitution Hall in June.