Stout himself experienced at least one instance of contentious relations with his publishers.

"I cannot well imagine governments having contentious relations with a country of the size and importance of Italy," he said.

The Livoti affair had cast an unwelcome spotlight on police brutality, and highlighted the force's often contentious relations with minority groups.

The dispute over the accident underscored the contentious relations between the police and residents of Washington Heights.

A law-enforcement official who was at the scene of the Queens shooting said the brothers had a long history of contentious relations.

After a half-year of contentious relations between the governor and the Legislature, the invitation was met with skepticism even from some Republicans.

Many recalled that no matter how contentious relations grew between rival groups when they were young, conflicts were generally settled with fists, not guns.

Upcoming data sets will likely reflect a greater emphasis on contentious intrastate political relations.

Likewise, these great numbers of military personnel led to sometimes contentious relations with the town fathers.

But he said that losing a few fees was preferable to contentious, litigious relations with his clients.