Yes, court takes longer. Worse, it is THE JUDGE who decides what happens to your assets. If you can go mediation, it's cheaper and quicker and a lot less painful. IMO, the question is, what is more important to you, money or peace of mind? Even when it feels "unfair," IMO, it is better to give in and be generous than it is to drag it out and fight. I wish my BF would have listened when I told him this. He didn't and got a worse deal than if he had just given in, in the beginning, instead of wanting justice for all the wrongs he "suffered" by his XAW.
p.s. The lawyer is there to protect your assets as much as possible. Not to work miracles or get you justice.