Alioto v. Hoiles

This court affirms the district court on alternative grounds: that Mr. Alioto’s claim for legal services performed for Mr. Hoiles’s ex-wife and daughters (the Family Shares Issue) is a related matter and thus the Fee Agreement (Agreement) is voidable. The court further holds that Mr. Hoiles did not ratify the Agreement prior to voiding it, so the district court correctly reinstated the quantum meruit verdict.

I must disagree. In my view, the court’s resolution ignores the essence of an attorney-client relationship. I would reverse the district court’s judgment and remand for the district court…