nciple of contract law is that contracts entered into in violation of law are void, and no legal rights arise from the formation of such a contract. Shaughnessy. D'Antoni, 100 F.2d 422, 424 (5th Cir. 1938); accord McMullen' Hoffinan, 174 U.S. 639, 654 (1899) ("[N]o court will lend its assistance in any way