The dispute is real. The pipeline is still a handful of names.

Employment contract dispute firms hit a referral ceiling from HR contacts and the employment bar who cannot keep every file. The executive already searching for new counsel never sees them.

Franchise contract dispute firms face a referral ceiling from brokers and referring counsel who send notices late. The franchisee already searching never sees them.

Government contract claims firms hit a referral ceiling from the surety who made the last introduction. The contractor or GC already searching after a delay or default never sees them.

Insurance contract dispute firms hit a referral ceiling from brokers and referring counsel who send work after the denial letter. The policyholder already searching never sees them.

International contract dispute firms face a referral ceiling that stops at borders while the disputes do not. The general counsel already in a live cross-border fight never sees them.

IP licensing dispute firms hit a referral ceiling from patent litigators and tech-transfer offices who send statements late. The licensor already searching never sees them.

Real estate contract dispute firms face a referral ceiling from brokers and closing counsel who wanted the deal to close, not fail. The owner already searching after a default never sees them.

Vendor contract recovery firms hit a referral ceiling when procurement relationships and audit referrals stop producing new engagements. The geometry is fixed.

Commercial contract dispute firms hit a referral ceiling from the same general counsel and referring litigators. The company already in a live breach never sees a new firm.

Construction contract dispute firms face a referral ceiling from surety and referring counsel who send work after the clock has already run. The owner or contractor already searching never sees them.