21.   But if there is a legal fight, it will be a long, nasty, dirty fight.

22.   But for the first time since the legal fight over the beach policy began six years ago, Prince and other town officials seemed prepared to give up.

23.   But last week, instead of a legal fight, it offered the city a new deal.

24.   But lawyers for Gov. George W. Bush said they had no intention of allowing any hand counting to begin without a vigorous legal fight.

25.   But legal fights will not go away.

26.   But some Democrats are wondering whether a protracted legal fight, even if his prospects for winning were good, might not damage his image beyond repair.

27.   But such a legal fight may not be needed.

28.   But this was no courtroom, and no one was pretending that the legal fight would be fair and even.

29.   Coastal Caribbean said the survey is an important development in its legal fight with the state of Florida, which bans oil drilling in its waters.

30.   Dale Brickner, professor emeritus of labor and industrial relations at Michigan State University, views the legal fight as a risky strategy for both sides.