1.   City officials denied any retaliation but said they approved the settlement because they feared higher costs from a protracted legal battle.

2.   However, after a prolonged legal battle, Fleiss said she is ready to end her standoff with state authorities.

3.   It was only after many legal battles that he agreed to hand over the farm.

4.   Neither side wanted a long and expensive legal battle.

5.   Raines retained Abner Burnett of Midland, and the two squared off for a legal battle.

6.   She was involved in a long-running legal battle.

7.   The agreement effectively ends a bitter legal battle in two states between Mrs Harriman and the heirs.

8.   The developer, in turn, sued the city and Pilachowski, setting off a lengthy legal battle.

9.   The result of this legal battle sends an important message to people in similar situations.