"I think that it would be aggressive to say that the fees are related to his ability to secure contract work and am asking for any information and opinions."

The link I gave would support that opinion, that it is a stretch to relate that expense to defend income earned at that time. Because of this comment:

"he hopes to get contract (self employeed) work closer to home."

Which is part of scenario in the link I gave, matching this comment: "and the legal fees were paid in the three months after he was terminated and before he started any other business activity."

I'm not an attorney, but you asked for information that might be applicable. The timeline seems to be: terminated with a clause that was not fought at that point. Then, decided to fight the clause. Then, found some work.