[Catspaw]

"Footing the bill" for the lawsuit is not the same as having costs and fees (including legal fees) assigned if he loses. "Footing the bill" means they'll pay for the filing fee, service fees, depositions, and other costs (postage, copying, legal fees from the law firm who's representing him) directly related to the law suit. Unless he's going it spelled out in writing that the law firm will pay any costs and fees assigned by a judge if he loses the law suit, he and not the law firm are liable.

[MEGoody]

"Footing the bill" for the lawsuit is not the same as having costs and fees (including legal fees) assigned if he loses.

Actually, it is. They've obviously worked a deal with this kid to play the 'victim,' with the commitment that they will pay for any and all costs associated with the litigation. He may be 'legally' liable, but they'll pay the bills. This kind of thing happens all the time.