Case ID: ky-op_3/html/0588-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Judge Hardin:", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

William Gummiel v. J. F. Luke et al.
    Attorney and Client — Suit Dismissed by Client — Lien for Fee — Release Pleaded.
    An attorney has a lien on a claim placed in his hands for collection, and he may resist the dismissal in pursuance of an agreement of his client, but this does not authorize a judgment in disregard of the release pleaded.
    APPEAL FROM SCOTT CIRCUIT COURT.
    May 27, 1868.
    
      Polk & Contrill for appellant.
    
    Stevenson, for appellee.
    
   Opinion of the Court by

Judge Hardin:

The amended answer setting up the release of the female plaintiffs and their husbands, presented, as we think, a sufficient defense to the action, so far as they were concerned, and the court properly overruled the objection made on behalf of the plaintiffs to its being filed. And as the release was uncontroverted by. the plaintiffs, the judgment rendered by the court without any disposition of the partial defense so pleaded was erroneous.

The act, approved January 26, 1866, giving to attorneys a lien for their fees .'on claims in their hands for collection, even if construed to authorize the attorney to resist the dismission of a suit in pursuance of an agreement of his client, certainly did not authorize the judgment in disregard of the release pleaded in this case, as no claim secured by that act was presented or disclosed.

Wherefore, the judgment is reversed, and the cause remanded for further proceedings not inconsistent with this opinion.