Yes, a persistent lawyer will have to manage their income and outlays and we must consider the other side of the market. As income rises so do outlays, outlays

Yes, a persistent lawyer will have to manage their income and outlays and we must consider the other side of the market. As income rises so do outlays, outlays that can get tied up in ongoing obligations (mortgages, utility bills, car payments, telecommunications services, investment schedules, etc.). The supply side of the market (lawyers) quickly have incentives to be paid more for the same or less hours of work: so that they can support more outlays (kids, hobbies, greater projected retirement fund returns, etc). Of course, clients can just take their money and cut off the inflow to lawyers as you suggest; it is a definite risk.