Attorney’s Lien (the legal definition): The right of a lawyer to hold a client’s property until the client pays for legal services provided.

In general, a lien is a security interest used by a creditor to ensure payment by a debtor for money owed. Since an attorney is entitled to payment for services performed, the attorney has a claim on a client’s property until compensation is duly made on a legal matter.

Different types of attorney’s liens

A charging lien is an attorney’s right to a portion of the judgment that was won for the client through professional services. It is a specific lien and only covers a lawyer’s claim on money obtained in a particular action. This is the most common type of lien seen in personal injury law.

A retaining lien is more general in its scope. It extends to all of a client’s property that an attorney might come into possession of during the course of a lawsuit. Until an attorney is compensated for services, he or she has a claim or interest in such property. This is a common lien seen in areas of law that include billable hours, such as criminal, family, and corporate.

For more information on attorney’s liens or the meaning of its definition, please contact our legal office at (702) 800-0988 to speak with Attorney, Brian Boyer today.

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