A music joke was posted on the newsgroup wny.events on February 2, 1997:
 
Q: Why is a viola like a lawsuit?
A: Everyone is happy when the case is closed.
 
The joke has been told about other instruments, such as the saxophone. “A saxophone is like a lawsuit. Everyone is happy when the case is closed” was posted on Twitter on July 23, 2009.
 
           
Google Groups: wny.events
UB Music Notes,of 2/3,announcements,BPO,Kleinhans,12 Angry Men
WBFO 88.7 FM—David Benders, Program Director
2/2/97
(...)
And “Why is a viola like a lawsuit?”
“Everyone is happy when the case is closed.”
 
19 April 1999, Cincinnati (OH) Post, “Award-winning musician shows viola’s no joke” by Mary Ellyn hutton, pg. 3B
But Kim Kashkashian is not just any violist. Twice Grammy- nominated, she is arguably the best violist performing today. And if you’ve ever wondered about the justice of those jibes - “How is a viola like a lawsuit? Everyone’s happy when the case is closed” - come hear her play at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Cincinnati Art Museum.
 
23 January 2000, Seattle (WA) Times, “UW violist Callus isn’t just fiddling around” by Melinda Bargreen, pg. M4:
Q: Why is a viola like a lawsuit? A: Everyone is happy when the case is closed.
 
Twitter
Angie B.‏
@angiebee
Replying to @challies
@challies How is a recorder like a lawsuit? Everyone is relieved when the case is closed.
8:40 AM - 25 May 2009
 
Twitter
Bollywood Sargam‏
@bollywoodsargam
Music jokes - 7696 Joke: A saxophone is like a lawsuit. Everyone is happy when the case is closed. .... http://bit.ly/Sd3ge
9:48 PM - 23 Jul 2009
   
Twitter
Lauren Davis‏
@LaurenOnAir
A violin is a lot like a lawsuit - everyone’s happier once the case is closed.
10:30 AM - 29 Jul 2009
 
Google Books
Sensible Nonsense.. Frank’s Comic Pack:
Humour Pack Series
By Frank Paul
BookBaby
2014
Pg. ?:
A saxophone is like a lawsuit.Everyone is happy when the case is closed.
 
Twitter
Lucky Score‏
@LuckyScoreNet
A saxophone is like a lawsuit.
Everyone is
happy when the case is closed.
#Joke from #MusicJokes in #Jokes, #Humor and #Satire
9:13 PM - 12 Nov 2017