Visconti v. M. E. M. Machinery Corp.

• Decision Date: 26 April 1950
• Docket Number: No. A--225,A--225
• Citation: 7 N.J.Super. 271,73 A.2d 74
• Parties: VISCONTI v. M.E.M. MACHINERY CORPORATION.
• Court: New Jersey Superior Court — Appellate Division

Page 271

7 N.J.Super. 271

73 A.2d 74

VISCONTI v. M.E.M. MACHINERY CORPORATION.

No. A--225.

Superior Court of New Jersey Appellate Division.

Argued April 17, 1950.

Decided April 26, 1950.

Allan L. Tumarkin, Newark, attorney for and of counsel pro se.

Ervan F. Kushner, Paterson, attorney for and of counsel with defendant.

Before Judges JACOBS, DONGES and BIGELOW.

The opinion of the court was delivered by

DONGES, J.A.D.

The single point in contention is whether appellant, Allan L. Tumarkin, an attorney-at-law, has a lien on funds in his possession, for fees in the sum of $650 for professional services.

On March 22, 1949, appellant instituted an action in the Superior Court for defendant corporation against Renco Finishing Corp. There was an agreement whereby appellant was to receive 50% Of what he collected.

On March 29, 1949, the defendant corporation was declared insolvent and a receiver was appointed. By the terms of the order appointing the receiver, the defendant, its attorneys, agents, etc., were enjoined among other things from prosecuting any actions or suits which affect the property of the defendant corporation. Despite this, the appellant continued to act in the suit brought by him, and on July 26, 1949, an order for summary judgment was entered in favor of the defendant corporation for $1312.25, plus costs.

An appeal was instituted by the Renco Finishing Corp. from the order granting a summary judgment. The claim was subsequently settled with the approval of the Superior Court, Chancery Division, for $1000. This money was collected by appellant and is now in his hands.

Prior to the insolvency proceedings, appellant had also rendered services to defendant corporation with respect to a claim by the American Welding Supply Co. against the defendant corporation.

The court below fixed the attorney's lien on the funds in his hands at $250, and ordered the remainder turned over to the receiver. Tumarkin, the attorney, appeals from the order fixing his compensation, and contends that he has a lien for $650. He claims he has a statutory lien for $500 with respect to the claim against Renco Finishing Corp., because of his contingent fee agreement with the defendant corporation. He also claims a general or retaining lien for $150, with respect to the services performed in connection with the claim of the American Welding Supply Co.

At common law, an attorney has two liens: one general, the other special. His general lien is his right to retain possession of documents and other property of his client until he is paid whatever is due him for professional services. His special or charging lien arises only when judgment in favor of his client is entered; the lien is a charge against the judgment for services in that particular suit or cause of action. American Automobile Ins. Co. v. Niebuhr, 124 N.J.Eq. 372, 2 A.2d 46 (Ch.1938). See also Norrell v. Chasan, 125 N.J.Eq. 230, 4 A.2d 88, 120 A.L.R. 1238 (E. & A. 1938). The attorney is also protected in our State by a statute which grants a lien in his favor. Attorney's Lien Act of 1914, P.L. p. 410, R.S. 1937, 2:20--7, N.J.S.A. This act is designed to protect an attorney whenever he institutes an action or files an answer containing a counterclaim. The lien attaches to the client's 'cause of action, suit or counterclaim' as well as the verdict, report, decision, etc. The statute enlarged the protection afforded by the common law charging lien. Norrell v. Chasan, supra.

Since it is not disputed that appellant has a general or retaining lien upon the moneys in his hands for the services rendered in connection with the claim of the American...