I bill this client quarterly. This quarter, the client racked up a 15L bill. This client has secured favourable orders in some of the cases that count. There were no losses. The other cases, relatively, aren't high stakes. There are 20 cases in total, not just one. I have incurred substantial personal expenses for flight tickets, hotel reservations, stationery, printing/scanning, etc. I have to pay my team and external vendors too. They are being remarkably patient and I intend to pay them within seven days - even if I have to dip into my funds. I might have to take out a personal loan to avoid fiscal instability after repaying everyone. I have a hunch that this client is taking advantage of my being stretched and is arm-twisting me for a shakedown/discount. I say this because the client doesn't respond to messages about other ongoing cases. Also, because this client has cleared bills of other external vendors that bill it directly in these cases (including senior counsels). I get the blue ticks but no reply to my updates on matters related to other ongoing cases now. I feel like he's doing ground work to replace me and default on my payments. This client has only one follow-up message on this default. It was sent after two weeks (after the invoice issuance date). It was replied to with an assurance that the matter would be addressed soon. It has been some days since this reply. Has anyone been betrayed or arm-twisted in this fashion by a client after securing favorable orders?

What should I do? I still some have his very valuable papers. I know what you all are now thinking and I don't want to be that person. I don't wish to shred them just yet. I just want to do great work and be paid fully and on time.

Well well..... be ready with the evidences - be prepared to file suits and criminal complaints for defrauding and non clearance of invoices ..... make all directors and concerned person party individually .... to the complaints and the suits. Ensure you publicise the matter. Spend some more money and voila .... INR 15L credit. This strategy will not work if the company is itself bankrupt etc. You can expect good support from the courts as it is advocate fees. Before doing all this - ensure that the senior most persons are aware about what is happening with you so that if the dealing person is fooling around that can be taken care of. And yes, at times it also happens that the dealing person might be expecting a 'cut'. ;)