Beware Of Attorney Charging Liens

Attorneys' fee liens, commonly referred to as "charging liens," pose a difficult problem for defendants. Increasingly, plaintiffs are represented by multiple attorneys due to plaintiffs switching attorneys or attorney referrals. This is particularly true in product liability cases where it is typical for the original plaintiff's attorney to refer the case to an attorney specializing in product liability. Sometimes former plaintiff's attorneys file a formal notice of lien in the lawsuit. However, other times the former plaintiff's attorney does not file a formal lien notice with the court. When a settlement is reached it is typical for the defendant to require the plaintiff to resolve all liens, including any attorney charging...