I'd imagine that it's because under the current law he's gagged. Disclosing an NSL to the public (i.e. anyone that's not his lawyer or a judge) is something tha

I'd imagine that it's because under the current law he's gagged. Disclosing an NSL to the public (i.e. anyone that's not his lawyer or a judge) is something that will send him to jail. Rather than go to jail (where less useful and free), he's using his standing to try to have a legal precedent set that being gagged by an NSL is unconstitutional. Hence him asking for help with legal costs.