Legal Definitions - attorney's lien

An attorney's lien is a legal right that allows a lawyer to keep a client's property until the client pays for the legal services provided. This property can include important documents, files, and even money awarded by a court. The right to an attorney's lien can come from common law or specific state statutes.

For example, in the case of Gargano v. Liberty Intern. Underwriters, Inc., the court upheld the attorney's lien of a law firm that had represented a client in a lawsuit. The law firm was entitled to keep the settlement money awarded by the court until the client paid for the legal services provided.

Another example of an attorney's lien is when a lawyer holds onto a client's business files until the client pays for the legal services provided. This ensures that the lawyer is compensated for their work and prevents the client from taking their business elsewhere without paying for the legal services already provided.

Overall, an attorney's lien is a legal tool that allows lawyers to protect their right to payment for legal services provided to clients.