Chrysler tries to soothe suppliers; Lawyers pressure GM, Chrysler for early pay.(NEWS)

Byline: Robert SherefkinRyan Beene of Crain's Detroit Business contributed to this report

A closed-door session between Chrysler LLC's top brass and the automaker's suppliers on Friday, Dec. 12, did little to assuage the suppliers' fears about Chrysler's viability, said a supplier executive who attended.

Those fears have prompted a growing number of suppliers to seek early payments ahead of a possible Chrysler failure.

"The run on the bank dynamic among Chrysler suppliers is absolutely palpable, says Detroit attorney Daniel Sharkey, whose firm represents dozens of the suppliers.

"Stick with us'

Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli cautioned …