Lien On Me

The New York Appellate Division for the Second Judicial Department decided not one but two cases involving attorney's liens. In one matter, the court held that successor counsel in a personal-injury claim failed to prove that original counsel had been discharged for cause. The court overruled the Supreme Court determination on this point and awarded 40% of the fee to the first lawyer. The second decision reached a like result, finding the discharge to be without cause and awarding fees for the work done prior to discharge. (Mike Frisch)