11.   But lawyers familiar with high-tech company employment contracts said it would be unusual for Ozzie to have that escape clause.

12.   But lawyers familiar with the case said it seemed to be more of a curious footnote than a significant development.

13.   But lawyers familiar with the new talks said the companies face their own negotiating dilemma.

14.   But lawyers familiar with the talks said that tobacco producers are concerned that small cigarette companies who do not participate in a settlement accord will gain a competitive advantage.

15.   But one lawyer familiar with the matter said the court could lift the stay after the oral arguments, while still deliberating the broader merits of the case.

16.   But lawyers familiar with the litigation say some of the companies, particularly Merrill Lynch, were sued on other grounds as well as the one rejected by Taylor.

17.   But lawyers familiar with tobacco negotiations said cigarette producers reached out to him recently because he is eager to settle his cases.

18.   But several lawyers familiar with the agency said that its chairman, Robert Pitofsky, had pushed the FTC to be more aggressive in antitrust cases.

19.   But one lawyer familiar with her thinking said that Ms. Bruce agonized over the decision for some time.

20.   But the president in his testimony on Monday adamantly denied telling Ms. Currie or anyone else to retrieve the gifts, said a lawyer familiar with the testimony.