The house was suddenly available, a commission lawyer was dispatched and the next day, the Bookers had the house.

He said commission lawyers were researching the term-limit question.

Elizabeth Grossman, a commission lawyer, praised the company for deciding to resolve the suit.

The cost for such calls can range from 50 cents to $35 for the first minute, commission lawyers said.

In recent weeks, Mr. Hundt and senior commission lawyers have been looking for ways to refine the rules.

Many more people testify under oath in private sessions with commission lawyers than appear in public.

Her lawyer and commission lawyers say Ms. Wilson is entitled to a six-year term.

They even turned up two commission lawyers who, independently of Hill, recalled having heard the notorious line about pubic hair on a Coke can.

By late summer, senior commission lawyers and aides feared that they were being swept up in an increasingly emotional issue.

"We knew we had done well when John interrupted," said a commission lawyer.