* To protect Bigger: Max is Bigger's lawyer and is fiercely loyal to him. While he believes Bigger does not deserve the death penalty, he does not condone Bigger's actions. However, this does not stop him from doing everything within his power to help Bigger beat the system.
* To expose inequality and injustice: Max sees Bigger's case as a way to confront the inequality and injustice African Americans face in the United States. He wants to prove to the country that the legal system is unfair to African Americans and that this discrimination ultimately led to Bigger's crimes.
* To help Bigger understand himself: Max wants Bigger to understand himself and the circumstances that led him to commit crime. He believes that a better understanding of self will ultimately allow Bigger to find peace and closure.