Now she knows how his ex-wife feels.
Houston lawyer Diane St. Yves began an attorney-client relationship with David Lancaster in 2011 and lived to regret it, eventually having to go to court to dissolve that relationship and move on.
St. Yves began representing Lancaster in divorce and criminal contempt proceedings six years ago. After a final decree of divorce was issued in 2012, Lancaster continued to challenge a protective order prohibiting him from contacting or confronting his ex-wife.
After three years of dealing with this seemingly abusive character, St. Yves decided it was time to sever ties and get on with her life. In 2014 she moved to withdraw from representation of Lancaster, seeking and obtaining summary judgment against him for more than $27,000 in unpaid attorney’s fees.
Lancaster did not respond well.
He'd already been rejected by his ex-wife, and now his attorney, was giving him the heave-ho.
Lancaster filed suit against St. Yves in Harris County District Court in 2016, alleging fraud, negligence, and breach of contract and seeking more than $1 million in damages.
Once again, he was destined to lose his war against two women and prove himself unfit for a battle of the sexes.
The lower court ruled in favor of St. Yves and denied Lancaster's motion for a new trial. Just last month, the First Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court’s findings.
“Because St. Yves conclusively established that that there is a prior final determination on the merits by a court of competent jurisdiction and Lancaster does not challenge on appeal that the identity of the parties in the prior and instant suit are the same or that the instant action is based on claims that could have been raised in the prior action, we conclude that St. Yves has conclusively established the elements of her res judicata defense,” Chief Justice Sherry Radack said.
Lancaster needs to throw in the towel. He’s overmatched.