I've always thought he was more involved than he has admitted. I also think, if we're correct in our assumption, that this is one of the reasons he left Trope and Trope. I would think there would be some prestige involved in being a partner in a large successful and reputable firm. He became a member of T & T after he allegedly won the largest sum in CA. history. However, we now learn that the judge who awarded this amount, had seen copies of Pierce Marshall's confidential financial papers that had been taken illegally and apparently copied by HKS in Texas! HKS seems to operate on the premise that if you can't win fair; then cheat, steal and lie your way to victory. He and Rale appear to be "cut from the same bolt of cloth" so to speak. I don't think Trope wanted Rale associated with the firm after his character and reputation have been shown to be questionable. That's JMO, and I have no facts to support it.
hehehe - well, he won the ‘largest sum yet to be collected’ (grin) (/sarc)
maybe trope figured they had been snowed like anna had, with empty promises and lots of their own bills
or maybe there ws a payday large enough to fund a startup for a year or five?