Some lawyers will let you have a free consultation. If your friend went to a couple of free consultations, he might at least find out whether he or the neighbor is in the right, under the law.
When I had to fight a similar case, I went to two lawyers. The first told me I had a good case, but there was no money in it, so he didn't want to represent me.
The second lawyer told me that for a small fee, he would help me figure out how to represent myself in court. Which I did. And I won.
My friend lives outside a small town. All the local shysters appear to help each other. One(the lawyer my friend talked to) even said lawyers are like prostitutes, they will screw anyone for money. I never expected a lawyer to say that. I almost fell out of my chair. I guess honesty and integrity from anyone is a little much to ask.