I suppose the stereotype of the trial lawyer as some deep-pocketed capitalist still prevails up to the present day. It's not so anymore. There's been a lawyer glut for some time and the lawyer who makes their living suing for the "little guy" or even the medium-sized-guy has no extra equity to invest in extra risk taking, they're mostly barely earning a living.

" That is, they risk their own time--but will do so only if they think there is a good case." Perhaps you could think about this - lawyers risk their own time because ... they have it, not necessarily having a whole lot of the business. A similar lawyer won't risk their own money because ... they have children to feed as well as offices to rent, etc...