Litigators decide settlement based on their reading of the jury, not case merit.

Evidence

Schlichtmann sighed deeply. “I guess I got a choice. Using all my intelligence, do I see this case as hopeless? If I do, then I have to grab whatever money I can for the families. And a fee as a whoremongering attorney. But I’ll never allow my own financial pressure to rule what happens to the case.” — , Harr Jonathan - A Civil Action, 2562

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the earlier chapter material on how the first verdict’s split was read as jury sympathy for the defendants rather than the plaintiffs’ proof.