What law firm agrees to work for a year without payment? Every one we have ever worked with would have cut us off after like a week, or max a month.

Although I guess Elizabeth Holmes has swindled smarter people.

Its a resume builder to say the least to show that you've worked serious cases.

Why do lawyers need approval to stop representing a client? Isn't this essentially slavery if the courts decide so?

It can unfairly reflect poorly on their client and bias the jury. In a case like this it should pretty much be a rubber stamp process from what I've read.

IIRC, when some of DOJs lawyers wanted out of defending the border detention camp "no toothbrush required" cases, it's also because it's a PITA for the Court to ramp up a new legal team in the middle of a massive case