Lingenfelder v. Wainwright Brewing Co.

Architect Jungenfeld (plaintiff), who also owned a refrigeration company, contracted with Wainwright Brewing Co. (defendant) to design and supervise a brewery's construction; when Wainwright awarded its separate refrigeration contract to a competitor, Jungenfeld refused to continue performing his architectural duties. Under pressure to finish construction, Wainwright promised Jungenfeld five percent of the refrigerator plant's cost if he would resume work, and Jungenfeld accepted; Lingenfelder, as Jungenfeld's successor-in-interest, sued to recover the unpaid five percent.