64 So. 399 | La. | 1914
“attorneys at law may acquire as their fee in such matter an interest in the subject-matter of the suit, proposed suit, or claim, in the prosecution or defense of which they are employed, whether such suit or claim be for money or for property, real, personal, or of any description whatever. And in such contract of employment, it shall be lawful to stipulate that neither the attorney nor the client shall have the right, without the written consent of the other, to settle, compromise, release, discontinue or otherwise dispose of such suit or claim.”
This suit was filed September 26, 1913, and a contract under the above provision of law was entered into September 24, 1913, and filed with the clerk of court December 13, 1913. A copy thereof was served upon defendant on the same day; all in accordance with the terms of said Act No. 124, 1906, p. 210.
This contract shows that the interest of the attorney in the suit was 75 per cent, of whatever amount was recovered on said claim, by suit, compromise, or otherwise. The interest, therefore, of William Stiles, plaintiff, was 25 per cent, of what might be recovered by judgment.
Prentice E. Edrington, Jr., under the contract by which he had become the owner of 75 per cent, of whatever judgment might be recovered in this suit, then moved the court,' after notice to James Bruton, defendant, and Conrad A. Buchler, to recall and reverse the judgment dismissing said suit, and asked that it be reinstated so far as it affects him, Prentice E. Edrington, Jr., attorney. This rule was discharged, and Prentice E. Edrington, Jr., now asks for writs of certiorari and prohibition, directed to the judge of the Twenty-Eighth judicial district court.
The interest of Prentice E. Edrington, Jr., in this suit appearing of record, must be recognized to its fullest extent. White v. McClanahan, 133 La. 396, 63 South. 61.
It is therefore ordered, adjudged, and decreed that a writ of prohibition issue herein directed to John E. Fleury, judge ad hoe of the Twenty-Eighth judicial district court for the parish of Jefferson, prohibiting him from ordering the dismissal of the suit entitled William Stiles v. James Bruton, No. 1831, on the docket of said court, and that the order of December 20, 1913, decreeing that this suit be dismissed at plaintiff’s costs, be annulled, avoided, and reversed. Respondent to pay costs of this court.