85 N.Y. 284 | NY | 1881
[EDITORS' NOTE: THIS PAGE CONTAINS HEADNOTES. HEADNOTES ARE NOT AN OFFICIAL PRODUCT OF THE COURT, THEREFORE THEY ARE NOT DISPLAYED.] *286 The petitioner applied to a judge of the Supreme Court for an order requiring A.M., an attorney and counselor of that court, to show cause why he should not pay to her the sum of $4,411.50, with interest from July, 1878, or why, in default thereof, an attachment should not issue against him. Her petition stated that she was the widow of Stephen H. Knapp and his executrix; that at the time of his death there were pending certain proceedings to recover moneys due him from the city of New York for the erection of an "Armory"; that in these proceedings A.M. was his attorney and counsel, and she, having been substituted in her husband's place, continued his employment in the same capacity. The estate was insolvent, and the claim in question its only asset. These facts were known to the petitioner and to A.M. She avers the litigation was practically at an end, but that there existed some objection to the payment of the money, to obviate which legislation by the State became necessary; this was obtained, and under a power given by her, A.M., on the 19th of July, 1878, received from the comptroller $6,781.85, part of the money in controversy; that A.M., from time to time, paid the petitioner small sums of money, and on the 29th of October, 1878, sent her $1,000, saying it was the balance due to her from him. In January or February, 1879, proceedings were instituted against her in the Surrogate's Court by certain creditors of her deceased husband, and concerning which she employed counsel and caused demand to be made on said A.M., for the money received by him; in answer he furnished an account, a copy of which is annexed to the petition. It credits her with the full amount of the moneys awarded in her favor, $9,281.85, and charges her with various sums of money paid to her between July 3, 1877, and December 21, 1878, amounting to $2,982.03, with amount reserved to indemnify comptroller for claim of David Jones, $411.50; amount collected by Dewhurst by judgment, $1,888.32; with professional services and disbursements, $4,000; in all $9,281.85. Reference is also made by her to a statement furnished by A.M., which she says "exhibits items of charges for pretended services *288 and disbursements by him," adding: The payment to Dewhurst was unauthorized, $1,888.32; not paid, a bill to stenographers, $111.00; unlawfully reserved to pay Jones, $411.50; and charge for attendance and expenses at Albany, as not authorized by her, $3,001.18.
In answer to the application A.M. presented his affidavit, with a statement of his charges and disbursements in detail, and which seems to be a duplicate of the one last referred to by the petitioner. It foots up $6,000.43. Upon these the judge at Special Term made an order, whereby, after reciting the papers aforesaid, and declaring that from the affidavit of A.M., it appears that he retained the said sum of $4,411.50 as compensation to him for professional services rendered Stephen H. Knapp, in his life-time, and Jane Knapp as such executrix, after his decease, in and about the collection of $9,281.85, he appointed a referee "to take testimony as to the value of the services of said A.M. in the premises, and to report to the court what in his opinion is a just and reasonable compensation to the said A.M. for the services rendered by him," and directed that the motion upon the petition stand over until after the coming in of his report. From this order the petitioner appealed to the General Term, where it was affirmed. A hearing before the referee was had upon the petition to which I have referred — the answer of A.M. and his account. A.M. was also examined orally and cross-examined by counsel for the petitioner, and other witnesses were produced and examined and cross-examined in detail. It appeared from the affidavit of A.M., made in answer to the petition, that his employment by the petitioner's husband commenced in February, 1874; that the first proceeding was by mandamus, which, "after a difficult and protracted litigation," was rendered unavailing by reason of an act of the legislature, passed after argument in the mandamus case. Then followed an action at law. While this was pending Knapp died, leaving a will drawn by A.M. Its probate was contested, and in those proceedings he acted as proctor and counsel for the executrix, and after, he says, "a long contest," the will was sustained and *289 letters testamentary issued to her. The pending actions were then revived in the name of the executrix and continued. They were referred for trial and failed, upon the ground that the supervisors of New York had no authority to contract for the work in question. He thereupon endeavored to procure legislation at Albany, legalizing the proceedings of the supervisors in regard thereto. In the years 1875, 1876 and 1877 he gave to the matter his personal and continued attention, and on the last day of the session of 1877 the desired act was passed. Then came questions before the governor growing out of some informality in the certificate of the speaker of the assembly; correspondence with that officer followed, and with his co-operation the difficulty was removed. The bill was signed by the governor. By it a new tribunal or commission was created, and before that body A.M. again prosecuted the claim, with such effect as to obtain an award for the full amount. He asserts that in all his labor with reference to the passage of the bill he was unaided, and it is apparent, except for persistent effort and watchfulness on his part, this measure of relief would have failed. The difficulties before the commission were aggravated by a claim to a part of the same moneys interposed in behalf of one John Dewhurst, who alleged an assignment thereof executed by the testator. This also was litigated and disallowed. But soon after the award in favor of the petitioner and before its payment, Dewhurst commenced an action against the executrix, and the comptroller of the city, to have paid out of said award the share claimed by him, and the comptroller was enjoined by the court from paying over any of the award until the determination of the action. A.M. procured a modification of the order, but in the meantime one Jones appeared, claiming an interest to the extent of $400. Other creditors of the testator also intervened, and the comptroller refused to pay unless advised to do so by the corporation counsel. This made necessary conferences by A.M. with that official. His opinion, when at last given, was in aid of the claim, and $6,781.85 was paid over, the balance being retained by the comptroller to *290 meet claims arising upon assignments executed by the testator. This included the amount of the Dewhurst claim. A motion to dissolve the injunction order was denied, the Special Term sustaining the demand; and thereafter, as the result of efforts made by A.M. for its adjustment, a meeting of the attorneys on both sides was had, at which Dewhurst and Jane Knapp were also present, and the claim, with her approbation, settled. Judgment was allowed to be entered by him for the amount agreed upon, and it was paid. The comptroller required A.M.'s bond of indemnity for the amount of the Jones claim, and it being given, the sum was paid over to him. He also states that during the entire time that he was working for Mr. Knapp, and the petitioner, he never received a single dollar, either as compensation for his services as attorney or counsel, or to reimburse him for money expended; that he had paid out in their business over $1,000, besides advancing to the petitioner from time to time moneys out of his own pocket with which she might pay the rent of the premises occupied by her, she stating to him that "she had no one else to whom she could look to save herself from being turned into the street." He also states, that the petitioner was kept fully informed of every step taken in these matters, the adverse result of the earlier proceedings, and that it was necessary to go to the legislature for relief, where he "would endeavor to secure the passage of the requisite act;" she was familiar with all his efforts on her behalf, knew of his progress, and offered "to render any assistance she might be able to facilitate the passage of the bill." The account shows that for all his services and disbursements he retains the sum of $4,000, and the further sum of $411.50, to indemnify him upon his bond to the comptroller. The insolvency of the petitioner is apparent. Upon the hearing before the referee it further appeared that Mr. Knapp employed A.M., after failing through other attorneys to secure his claim. His services and proceedings are stated with much minuteness as to time and circumstances. In regard to those at Albany, he prepared the proposed statute, appeared before various committees, and sought by personal interviews *291 with members of the legislature to obtain favorable consideration for his measure. The cross-examination by the petitioner's counsel was at least fearlessly conducted, and no sentiment of professional courtesy was permitted to stand in the way of a rigid performance of the duty which he owed to her. The examination in no respect diminished the weight of the narrative contained in A.M.'s affidavit, or disclosed any omission on his part of scrupulous fidelity to his client, or failure to perform to the utmost the service he had undertaken. He also called as witnesses two "able and honorable lawyers," as they are characterized in the opinion of the learned judge at General Term, one of whom was for six years a judge of the Superior Court of the city of New York, and both of whom were practitioners of at least twenty-five years' experience. The first testified that the services rendered by A.M., as detailed in evidence, were reasonably worth $5,900, and that this conclusion was reached by taking each item of service and affixing to it such value as the witness considered it worth. The other named $3,500, in addition to disbursements, as a reasonable and proper charge. No witnesses were called by the petitioner. The referee returned to the court the testimony taken by him, and reported that, after carefully considering the same, he was of opinion that "the sum of $4,000 is a just and reasonable compensation to the said A.M. for the services rendered by him in the premises." Upon due notice the application for the order first referred to was again brought to the attention of the court, and an order made by which, after reciting the proceedings above stated, the petition and affidavit of the respective parties, and the report of the referee, the application was denied. Upon appeal to the General Term this order was reversed and the application "granted to the extent that the said A.M. be directed to pay to said Jane Knapp or to her attorney, within ten days, the sum of $1,500, out of the moneys collected by him as her attorney, and in default of such payment" she had leave to apply on one day's notice for an attachment against the said A.M. It is this order which is now before us.
The application of the petitioner to the court must have been *292
upon the theory that the attorney was its officer, bound to do no wrong, but to act "with all good fidelity, as well to the court as to his client," and in these respects subject to its jurisdiction. So far the power of the court over the conduct of its officers is absolute and exclusive; "necessary," as is said by MARSHALL, Ch. J., "for the preservation of decorum, and the respectability of the profession" (Ex parte Burr, 9 Wheat. 531), and to those ends to be exercised in a summary manner, according to its discretion and judgment. It may, therefore, regulate the manner in which the attorney shall exercise his calling, but can lawfully go no further. That it has done so in this case is the first contention on the part of the appellant. His counsel argues that the order of the General Term was without any foundation in the evidence and beyond the authority of the Supreme Court. On the other hand it is claimed that the petitioner was entitled to have paid to her the entire sum received by her attorney; that it all belonged to her, and that she was at once entitled to its possession. Her demand was upon that theory. It excluded the possibility that under any circumstances the attorney had a right to retain or charge the fund, either by application upon his account or by way of lien; and this was her position, although the employment of the attorney and the performance of service by him was admitted. The judge whose interference to enforce her demand was first invoked appears to have assumed the contrary, for he directed an inquiry as to "what is a just and reasonable compensation" to the attorney "for the services rendered by him," a fact quite unimportant if he had no right or interest in the money. The same inference is permitted from the order of the General Term affirming the order for this inquiry. The subsequent order of the judge denying the application when it was shown that the value of the attorney's services exceeded the sum of money held by him, and even the General Term, in making the order appealed from, go upon the ground that the attorney was not destitute of some justification in refusing to comply with the petitioner's demand, for otherwise its order would have required the payment *293
over of all money he had received. But even now the contention of the respondent is that such order should have been made; that the order of the Special Term unduly protects the attorney and invests his office "with an extraordinary prerogative, at which the alarm of suitors may well be awakened," and her learned counsel pointed out the injurious effect upon the profession, and the injustice to the client of an adjudication which upholds the attorney's right to retain his compensation from moneys collected by him. The doctrine was criticised as if it was new and depended for its support upon recent decisions. On the contrary the general proposition that an attorney has a lien for his costs and charges upon deeds or papers, or upon moneys received by him on his client's behalf in the course of his employment, is not doubted, nor does it stand upon questionable foundations. It comes to us super antiquas vias. As early as the year 1734 it was held by Lord Chancellor TALBOT to arise upon a contract implied by law and as effectual as if it resulted from an express agreement. (Ex parte Bush, 7 Viner's Abr. 74.) In 1779, inWilkins v. Carmichael (1 Doug. 101), Lord MANSFIELD declared that the practice which protected it "was established on general principles of justice, and that courts, both of law and equity, had carried it so far that an attorney or solicitor may obtain an order to stop his client from receiving money in a suit in which he has been employed for him, till his bill is paid." And inWelsh v. Hole (1 Doug. 238), the same judge held that "an attorney has a lien on the money recovered by his client for his bill of costs. If the money come to his hands, he may retain to the amount of his bill. He may stop it in transitu if he can lay hold of it. If he apply to the court, they will prevent its being paid over till his demand is satisfied." Indeed he was inclined to go still further, and to hold that if the attorney gave notice to the defendant not to pay till his bill should be discharged, a payment by defendant after such notice would be in his own wrong, and like paying a debt which had been assigned after notice. PARKE, B., in Barker v. St. Quintin (12 M. W. 451), refers to this decision *294
as establishing the attorney's claim to the equitable interference of the court, to have the judgment held as a security for the debt due to the attorney, or after notice to compel the defendant to pay its proceeds over again. In our own State this was so well settled that Kent, in his Commentaries (vol. 2, p. 641), puts it down as an established principle, that the attorney has two liens for his costs, one on the papers in his hands, and the other on the funds recovered. No new rule, therefore, was enunciated in Bowling Green Savings Bank of N.Y. v. Todd (
It is plain, then, that the right of lien exists. Its origin should not be lost sight of. The declaration in Ex parte Bush
was restated by Chancellor ELDON in Cowell v. Simpson (16 Ves. 279), where he describes it as "prima facie a right accruing through an implied contract;" and as it exists in favor of those who have bestowed labor and service upon property in its repair, improvement or preservation, the agreement implied must be that the person rendering it shall retain the property until compensation is made. The lien of an attorney stands on no higher ground. In Ex parte Yalden (L.R., 4 Ch. Div. 129), JAMES, L.J., says: "The things upon which they claim a lien are things upon which they have expended their own labor or their own money;" and asks: "Why are they not to have that lien in the same way as any other workman who is entitled to retain the thing upon which he has worked until he is paid for it?" And in like manner in the recent case of Coughlin v. N.Y.C. H.R.R.R. Co. (
We have seen that his fees are regulated by no statute, and that they depend on contract. It is true also that there is no evidence of any express agreement between them as to the rate or measure of compensation, or as to the source from which he was to be paid, but an agreement or understanding as to the latter may be implied from the facts and circumstances of the case. His client was insolvent; the claim in his hands was the only asset of the estate. The client neither contributed to the disbursements in any of the proceedings, nor did she have the ability to do so. She was herself the subject of aid. She had not paid the attorney any thing, nor does she now offer to pay him any thing. It cannot be doubted that both expected the attorney would, in case of success, look to the fund recovered, for reimbursement for money out of pocket and payment for his own labor. But there is also evidence of such an understanding. The attorney in his affidavit made in answer to her petition, and to which on the final hearing of her application she had an opportunity to reply, states that "he informed her of the risk he was assuming in devoting so much of his time and labor in the attempt to collect this claim, and the expense to which he was put, and which could never be repaid unless he succeeded in securing the passage of the bill and obtaining an award from the commission." This is not denied by her. Its occurrence accords with the condition of the parties, and it is probable that the minds of both met on that statement. But there is enough in the narrative of either party to establish on *297
her part an obligation to pay for such services as he might render, and on the part of both an agreement that his compensation should be taken from the award. Indeed, I do not understand the respondent's counsel to assert the contrary. His contention in terms is that "the fund was not bound by any contract of the petitioner, she being an executor." But the cases cited in its support (Austin v. Munro,
It must be borne in mind that the attorney was not before the court asking for its favor or protection. He was taken there and made subject to its summary jurisdiction because charged with misconduct. He was entitled to have a clear case made out against him. Enough has been said to show that the attorney has such a right of lien; the right, therefore, to retain and possess the fund until the lien is satisfied; and the extent of that lien is, as assumed by the General Term, "compensation for his professional services rendered and for disbursements expended by him." But he cannot be permitted to determine its amount; nor can his client. In England the question would be sent to the taxing master with the bills and the attorney; and with us, before the Code, to the clerk of the court, who in our practice acts as taxing master. (People v. Smith, 3 Cai. 221.) But now that the compensation is undefined, depending upon a quantum meruit
unless limited by express agreement (Code, § 66; Rooney v.Second Ave. R.R. Co.,
To uphold the order the learned counsel for the respondent refers to Whitehead v. Kennedy (
It is plain that the petitioner sought to deal hardly with her attorney. Her application, if successful, would have taken from his hands the fund to which he looked for compensation, and left him with a cause of action against an insolvent estate. No doubt he was bound to content himself with a remuneration proportionate to his labor and the importance of the matter upon which it had been bestowed; but she would deny him even his expenses, require him to forego pecuniary remuneration, and remit him for satisfaction to the enjoyment of that fanciful disinterestedness, which, under certain ancient professional rules of action, required the lawyer "to defend the rich from a sense of duty, and the poor from a kindly sense of interest." *300 They were unsuccessfully invoked in Adams v. Stevens (26 Wend. 451), and as practical guides, have been long since abandoned. On the other hand, the attorney appears to have acted in good faith. With no stipulation for a contingent fee, inflamed in view of exaggerated or apprehended difficulties, he fixed his claim for compensation after the business intrusted to him had been carried to a successful end, and subject, as he knew, to revision by the courts. That review has been had. His charges have been moderated by the judgment of the Special Term, founded upon the referee's report, but the General Term was "of opinion that the referee should have cut down certain charges to a more suitable figure," and direct that the attorney pay to the petitioner the sum of $1,500. It may be that those charges are excessive. The referee and Special Term considered the same items, and we are not called upon to examine them. But it should be observed that for aught that appears the deduction now suggested by the General Term was in fact made by the referee. The bill of the attorney, including the items to which the General Term calls attention, amounts to $6,000.43. It was the one under examination by the referee, and the Special Term. The sum reported by the referee, and adopted by the Special Term as a reasonable compensation to the attorney for the services rendered by him, was $4,000, showing a deduction of $2,000. So that after deducting the sum of $1,500 from the same bill of items where those objected to appear, there would still remain due $4,500. In other words, the referee and Special Term allowed upon a bill whose items came to $6,000.43, the gross sum of $4,000 only, with no discrimination of items, while the General Term, with the same bill of items before it, object to certain specific items, and upon those objections make the order complained of. If that court had simply deducted those items from the bill where alone they appeared, the balance remaining would have exceeded the sum allowed by the referee. The learned judge says: "The referee fixed the value of his" (the attorney's) "services at a gross sum." "We cannot," he adds, "distinctly see that he allowed *301 any particular item as charged in the account, but we think it our duty to scrutinize closely such items as seem to have no substantial basis." Now, it is quite apparent that the referee may have deducted the very items so objected to. As we have seen, he did reduce the amount by a larger sum, and if this order stands, it is hardly possible that injustice will not be done to the attorney. The items commented on are, one of $250 for general services, including interviews with creditors, one of $200 under substantially the same head, and charges for attendance and expenses at Albany during sessions of the legislature, and while the act referred to was being pressed. The learned judge remarks that it does not appear that improper appliances were used to procure the passage of the bill, "but," he says, "it seems strange that such long persistency of effort should have been required for its passage." It is to these charges the learned court refers, and in view of which the order is made. That the services were rendered is not denied. The passage of the act was indispensable to the collection of the demand. How far the attorney was stimulated to extraordinary exertions by the conviction that all his past labor in the case would be lost, and his expenses incurred in vain, unless in this measure he succeeded, we need not inquire; that such conviction was entertained and was well founded appears from the condition of the estate. But if the abatement was made which the learned court suggests, it would still leave his admitted lien equal to all the moneys in his hands, and no arithmetical device can alter his equity.
The order of the General Term should be reversed and the order of the Special Term affirmed, but without costs, and without prejudice to the right of the petitioner to bring an action, if she is so advised.
All concur, except FOLGER, Ch. J., and EARL, J., dissenting; ANDREWS, J., not voting.
Ordered accordingly. *302