"...we don't know that the lawsuits are an obstacle."

I agree, but I have to believe that they are.

"But realistically, there can't be any significant financial benefit to LBSR even if we win the lawsuit..."

1) I'm not sure what you mean by "we".  JB is a shareholder too.
2)  Also, recall please that there are multiple suits.
3) Removal of the suits will mean that Hay Mountain is more likely to succeed or fail on its own merits.  However, I suspect that an experienced explorationist is better able to bring about a JV for us than a part-time CEO having no direct experience in this sector. 

"...he just wasn't capable of getting a deal worked out."

I would substitute the words "able to" for "capable of" as it took AZ Lands Div. 5 years to approve the key mining claim.  That finally came about almost immediately on the heels of JB's ouster.  ...makes me wonder about the timing of these events.  Coincidence?

VP