quote -"Bear in mind that while a law firm like Sidley would be willing to accept a new client with the means of paying for representation in a single, significant matter, its willingness to do so would be substantially enhanced by its perception that bigger fish to fry were in the offing going forward."

...and that is the key to the padlock in this episode. sidley austin is most likely getting paid by a third party, a party that is party to the bigger fish that are currently frying behind the scenes. either a partnership in a trial, or a potential merger/buyout, or a significant billionaire investor, there is something cooking.