AceShowbiz -

The paternity battle is still going on between Melanie Brown and Eddie Murphy. It seems that things are getting tougher for the former couple. The Scary Spice reportedly has hired a top Hollywood lawyer Don Engel to help her taking the comedian "to the cleaners".

A source told Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper, "Mel is refusing to lie down and let Eddie walk all over her - and this is reflected in her choice of lawyer. She wants to hit him where it hurt the most - in the pocket. They don't come much better than Don."

Engel, who charges $500 an hour, has represented heavyweight artists including Cher, Meat Loaf and Fleetwood Mac. He has an unrivalled reputation as one of Hollywood's biggest legal hitters and is renowned in the music biz.

Sources suggest that Mel may be able to get as much as £15million in lifelong payments for their unborn child. A law insider said, "Don's services don't come cheap but he is one of the best lawyers around. Most lawyers would relish taking on an A-list star and Don will surely be no exception."