That's not how it works. Where would the money for her salary come from for the last year as they all worked full time on this case???
There were about a dozen people from his and West's office who worked on this case. They were all told that there was no money to pay them because the client had no money and so they all agreed to work without remuneration.
Though they agreed to that and knowing O'Mara and West I'm sure that should money come in from lawsuits that they will all get paid -- something.
Thus O'Mara's message to George: Pay Me [so I can pay those who worked for me on your behalf]
There is no such thing as a free lunch. George's free lunch was paid for by O'Mara, West, and about a dozen others who put their lives on the line for him. George better damn well realize it and make sure that he does nothing to taint the lawsuits in the pipeline.
I have had lawyers work for me in law suits in which their compensation depended on the outcome of a trial, and they still had to pay their associates, paralegals, and firm expense from practice equity.
I have read NOWHERE that O'Mara asked his staff to forgo their normal comp.