Usually any asset used to pay a legal bill is sold and the proceeds used as the partnership agreement dictates. There are tiers of partners. junior and senior a

Usually any asset used to pay a legal bill is sold and the proceeds used as the partnership agreement dictates. There are tiers of partners. junior and senior and others and there are those who are on a salary (often with an annual bonus that varies year by year). The receipt of a payment in kind is problematic, as breakfast, lunch and dinner ( as well as a sea of other costs) require cash. If the shares are viewed as a potential gold mine, the firm my decide to keep them and sell when the time is right as the most profitable deal. The shares may have a legended hold period stamped on the certificate = can not be sold until the hold period ends. Some partners may need cash and the other partners/the firm, may buy his interest and give him cash - he is now out of it.There are also other potential tax issues downstream - which is what accountants are for.