LogFAQs > #892661654

I'd take the $22,500 now, just make sure you have it in writing and they really do deliver it.
The "gamble" isn't just winning the court case and having them pay your lawyer fees, it's if even after that you'll ever see most of that 30K.
This company sounds shady as fuck, wouldn't be surprised if they try other tricks to avoid paying you or delay it. Only know what you said, but is it possible they may not even exist in 2 years (go bankrupt; change company name and the person named as owner and try to pass themselves off as a different corporate entity; etc...)?

It sucks they they're trying to cheat you out of the full amount owed, but sometimes it comes down to taking the better of two bad options, or putting principle ahead of what's actually in your best interest.

Since you have a lawyer already, what's s/he say?