In 2009 Blanchard & Associates, a Chicago law firm, provided legal services to an Indian pharmaceutical company, Lupin Ltd. (“Lupin India”), and its American subsidiary, Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Lupin USA”). The advice concerned the patentability of a generic birth-control drug that Lupin India planned to launch in the United States through Lupin USA. When the Lupin companies initially sought Blanchard’s advice, the firm sent an engagement letter outlining its hourly fees and other terms. Neither Lupin India nor Lupin USA signed the letter, but Blanchard provided the requested legal services and the companies paid the firm for its work at least at first. In October 2009 Blanchard sent its two final invoices but they went unpaid. Seven years later Blanchard sued the Lupin companies for breach of contract and unjust enrichment. A district judge dismissed both claims as untimely. 

Questions 

1. Why should there be a different, shorter statute of limitations (that is, a shorter limitation on the time to bring a lawsuit on a claim after it arises) for unwritten contracts as compared to written contracts? 

2. Why did the lower court judge treat the contract between Blanchard & Associates and Lupin as unwritten? Why did this court disagree?