Case Name: In the Matter of the Accounting of the United States Trust Company of New York, as Executor of Hannah M. Lydig, Deceased. Julia D. McIlvaine et al., Appellants; United States Trust Company of New York, as Executor of Hannah M. Lydig, Deceased, et al., Respondents
Court: New York Court of Appeals
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1933-10-17
Citations: 262 N.Y. 408
Docket Number: 
Parties: In the Matter of the Accounting of the United States Trust Company of New York, as Executor of Hannah M. Lydig, Deceased. Julia D. McIlvaine et al., Appellants; United States Trust Company of New York, as Executor of Hannah M. Lydig, Deceased, et al., Respondents.
Judges: 
Reporter: New York Reports
Volume: 262
Pages: 408–409

Head Matter:
In the Matter of the Accounting of the United States Trust Company of New York, as Executor of Hannah M. Lydig, Deceased. Julia D. McIlvaine et al., Appellants; United States Trust Company of New York, as Executor of Hannah M. Lydig, Deceased, et al., Respondents.
(Submitted October 9, 1933;
decided October 17, 1933.)
Armin H. Mittlemann for motions.
Henry B. Closson opposed.

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
This motion is made to substitute Armin H. Mittlemann as attorney for James Eckford DeKay upon this appeal in place and instead of Henry B. Closson who has acted for DeKay as his attorney in the Surrogate's Court, in the Appellate Division, and in this court on the application for leave to appeal.
The affidavits submitted in behalf of Mr. Closson show that DeKáy owes him for his services and that he has a lien both upon the papers and upon the cause of action or the proceeds thereof for his services.
A client has an absolute right to discharge his attorney with or without cause at any time so that we must grant the motion for substitution and make the order accordingly. This order of substitution, however, is without prejudice to or interference with any hen which Mr. Closson has both upon the papers of the chent in this or any other cause and upon the cause of action or the proceeds thereof.
The rights of attorney and chent are fully explained in the case of Robinson v. Rogers (237 N. Y. 467). (See, also, Matter of Badger, 9 Fed. Rep. [2d] 560; Matter of Krooks, 257 N. Y. 329.)
A motion to compel an attorney to turn over papers to a substituted attorney must be made in the court of original jurisdiction and not in this court. (People ex rel. Hoffman v. Board of Education, 141 N. Y. 86; Matter of Hollins, 197 N. Y. 361.)
Motion for substitution of attorney granted.
Motion to compel attorney to turn over papers denied, without costs.