Dulany v. Hodgkin was a case heard by the United States Supreme Court in 1809. The dispute arose when William Dulany, an attorney from Maryland, sued Thomas Hodgkin for failing to pay him $1,000 that he had been awarded as compensation for legal services rendered on behalf of Hodgkin's son-in-law. The court found that Dulany had provided sufficient evidence to prove his claim and ordered Hodgkin to pay the amount owed plus interest and costs associated with bringing suit against him. In its decision, the court also held that attorneys have a right to collect fees due them under contract law principles even if they are not specifically mentioned in any written agreement between parties involved in litigation or other matters requiring legal representation. This ruling established important precedent regarding lawyers' rights to receive payment for their work and set forth clear guidelines about how such disputes should be handled going forward.

In Dulany v. Hodgkin, the Supreme Court was asked to decide whether a contract between two parties could be enforced when it had been made without consideration. The majority opinion held that the contract should not be enforced because there was no consideration given for its formation. However, Justice Story dissented from this decision and argued that contracts are binding even if they lack consideration as long as both parties agree to them in good faith and with an intention of fulfilling their obligations under the agreement. He further noted that such agreements were common practice among merchants at the time and should therefore be recognized by courts of law. In conclusion, Justice Story believed that although a lack of consideration may render a contract voidable rather than absolutely void, it does not necessarily make it unenforceable in court.