In the original series, season 4, number 6, airing November 13, 1986, John Larroquette's character Dan Fielding states he has just turned 40. So his character would have been 77 at the beginning of this series, practically John's real age, and of course, past mandatory retirement age for legal aid lawyers in New York.
Most exterior shots are actually of Brooklyn Borough Hall and not the New York County Courthouse in Manhattan where Abby's courtroom is supposed to be located.