Illinois Appellate Court
Civil Court
Settlements
Plaintiff law firm filed complaint against former client for attorney fees and costs in connection with defense of arbitration matter filed against Defendant. Defendant does not dispute that he gave his attorneys express authority to negotiate a settlement agreement but argues that he did not expressly authorize them to agree that he would execute a release. Court properly entered order enforcing settlement agreement. Defendant took benefit that settlement agreement gave him--ability to refinance--and then claimed that he had not given his attorney authorization for him to sign release. Court's conclusion that there was an agreement was not against manifest weight of evidence. (LAMPKIN and REYES, concurring.)