Each state probably contacts and uses every lawyer in the state at some point - probably even for little shit. Once a lawyer is hired by an entity, it is very hard for them to litigate against that entity. There was a story (can't remember where) of a rich guy that hired all of the lawyers in an area during a divorce, so his wife couldn't use any of them. "Hiring" is as easy as paying a retainer to the lawyer, and not ever using them.  Probably way cheaper than a divorce.  (I'm not sure, but I want to say the rich guy ended up dead. YMMV)