Lincoln’s Law Philosophy or Lamon’s Fee Reduced

Abraham Lincoln’s Law Philosophy and Ward Hill Lamon’s, sometimes differed and occasionally, Lincoln insisted that Lamon’s fee be reduced. Lincoln met Lamon soon after the young Virginian journeyed to Illinois. The older of the two barristers, sized up the youthful, well dressed attorney and commented regarding his swallow-tail coat, neck scarf and dandified shirt,

“And so you are a cousin of our friend John J. Brown; he told me you were coming. Going to try your hand at the law, are you? I should know at a glance that you were a Virginian; but I don’t think you would succeed at splitting rails. That was my occupation at your age, and I don’t think I have taken as much pleasure in anything else from that day to this.”

Ward Hill Lamon assured Lincoln that he was no stranger to manual labor and Lincoln replied,

“Oh, yes; you Virginians shed barrels of perspiration while standing off at a distance and superintending the work your slaves do for you. It is different with us. Here it is every fellow for himself, or he doesn’t get there.”

Abraham Lincoln soon learned that the young Virginian detested slavery as much as himself and the two lawyers became partners in 1852, out of Danville, Illinois, and traveled the judicial circuit together.

Ward Hill Lamon succeeded in one aspect of the partnership that guaranteed the venture’s survival. Lamon charged very well for the services that he and his partner rendered, an aspect of the business that Lincoln could never learn to appreciate. Many contemporaries, in practise, harped on Lincoln for his sub-standard fees, complaining that it affected their ability to sustain a living.

Lamon related a case, where the partners defended a man whose demented sister had an estimated estate of $10,000.00. A confidence man, was attempting to have himself appointed conservator of the estate, with intentions of marrying the sister and the client wanted to resist the motion. Knowing that the court proceedings could be long and contentious, Ward Hill Lamon explained to the client that his fee would be $250.00 for his representation.

The case was presented in court and was decided in Lamon’s favor in less than twenty minutes. The client was thrilled with the decision and immediately paid Ward Hill Lamon the fee. Lincoln asked his partner what he had charged the man and was told $250.00. Lincoln replied,

“Lamon, that is all wrong. The service was not worth that sum. Give him back at least half of it.”

The younger partner protested that the fee was agreed upon in advance and the client was beyond satisfied. Lincoln defiantly stated,

“That may be, but I am not satisfied. This is positively wrong. Go, call him back and return half of the money at least, or I will not receive one cent of it for my share.”

Ward Hill Lamon, summoned the client and returned one half of the fee to the bewildered client. The Judge in the court that day, Judge David Davis, could not but overhear the details of the contested transaction and requested Lincoln to a conference at the bench. Never known for his ability to whisper, the Judge berated Abraham Lincoln thusly,

“Lincoln, I have been watching you and Lamon. You are impoverishing this bar by your picayune charges of fees, and the lawyers have reason to complain of you. You are now almost as poor as Lazarus, and if you don’t make people pay you more for your services you will die as poor as Job’s turkey!”

Abraham Lincoln responded to the Judge respectively, but firmly,

“That money comes out of the pocket of a poor, demented girl, and I would rather starve than swindle her in any manner.”

Lincoln steadfastly remained firm in his resolve, that never, would he or his firm, partake in the Law Philosophy of, “Catch ’em and Cheat ’em.”

Bummer