The client retained the services of a well known attorney who has a great record of winning these types of cases. 

Are you going under contract and then the deal is failing or are you offering and just not winning? 

and do you know if they came back to the states.. that will be a HUGE win for anyone who is litigating against them .. at least right up until they file BK.

The reasons they identified will not impress the judge and you will win as long as you followed the proper procedures.There is no way to ensure that they won't damage the property, but you have recourse if they do.

Is there a no win / no fee type of service I should be searching for?   

If you plan on leaving after a year, rates will be much higher to refinance this as an investment home so doing the buy down probably wins out in that situation.

It sounds like a big win.

@Jonathan Greene Slow and steady will win the race every time.

A lot of time you won't, therefore you also have to evaluate your marketing/sales strategy to partner yourself up with the right property owners that everyone wins in the end. 

Someone else may say its free money and let it ride, so invest it in something super high risk and high reward and if I win they I win but if I lose it all I lose it all.