Singleton v. Foremen

435 F.2d 962 (5th Cir. 1970)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

Mrs. Singleton (P) retained Foreman (D), a Texas attorney, to represent her in a Florida divorce. D required a $25,000 retainer and a one-third contingent fee based on the settlement. Florida law makes contingent fee contracts in divorce cases void and unenforceable. D kept P's jewels to enforce the payment of the contract. P dismissed D prior to the end of the case, claiming that D had verbally abused her. P sued to recover the jewels and other damages. The trial court dismissed the action; both parties were in pari delicto. P appealed. D defended on grounds that the legal portion of the contract should be enforced.