Duvall v. Laws, Swain & Murdoch, P.A.

John E. Jennings, Judge.

In 1982, appellant Fred Duvall was charged with theft in connection with the buying and selling of oil and gas leases. He asked Ike Allen Laws, Jr., the appellee, a Russellville lawyer, to represent him. The two had known each other since grade school.

Laws quoted Duvall a fee of $5,000.00. Duvall paid $2,498.00 but then he was unable to raise the balance. He and Laws entered into an agreement, which later became the subject matter of this lawsuit. Duvall and his wife executed a deed which purported to convey outright the mineral rights to 160 acres of land in Pope…