Pravel, Wilson & Matthews v. Robert J. Voss

THORNBERRY, Circuit Judge:

This Texas diversity case plunges us into the murky waters of implied promises and “leading objects.” We emerge convinced that the judgment should be affirmed.

The instant suit was brought by appellee law firm to recover the reasonable value of services rendered in connection with an unsuccessful patent infringement suit filed by V & S Ice Machine Company, a shell corporation organized solely to hold the patent on an “ice blade” and to conduct patent infringement litigation. Appellant Voss, president of the corporation and holder of twenty per cent of its stock, was…