Mattox had received a campaign contribution of $125,000 from his sister Janice, a Dallas lawyer.

"Legal fees need to be looked at, no question," said Robin Phelan, one of the two Dallas lawyers who had flown in.

"Dallas lawyers conduct themselves as gentlemen," Mr. Joplin said.

Dallas lawyers are gentlemen to each other.

Sylvia Demarest, a Dallas lawyer, used statistics to support that argument.

"Dow can fund this plan and remain an industry leader," Ms. Houser, the Dallas lawyer working for the company, said.

Mr. Boone, the Dallas lawyer, says that his 425-member firm has 38 female partners, about 25 percent of the firm's overall partnership base.

Days after the first tip, the Dallas lawyers telephoned Ms. Tripp.

Mr. Scott is a Dallas lawyer who has had dealings in acquisitions in the hospital industry.

Mr. Whitehead said the figure would probably be significantly higher when the fees of a group of Dallas lawyers involved in the lawsuit were included.