Case Name: STOUTENBURGH v. FLEER
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Term
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1904-03-24
Citations: 87 N.Y.S. 504
Docket Number: 
Parties: STOUTENBURGH v. FLEER.
Judges: 
Reporter: West's New York Supplement
Volume: 87
Pages: 504–505

Head Matter:
STOUTENBURGH v. FLEER.
(Supreme Court, Appellate Term.
March 24, 1904.)
1. Attorney and Client—Compensation.
Defendant agreed to pay an attorney one-half of the amount the latter might save from a claim made against defendant. After a court decision in a similar case, the claimant, substantially acceded to the attorney’s contention, and the claim was settled at a reduction. Held, that the attorney was entitled to recover the agreed compensation.
2. Same—Settlement without Suit.-
An attorney obtaining a favorable settlement of a controversy without suit is entitled to recover his fees therefor.
Appeal from Municipal Court, Borough of Manhattan, Twelfth District.
Action by John Stoutenburgh against Frederick W. Fleer. From a judgment for defendant, plaintiff appeals. Reversed.
Argued before FREEDMAN, P. J„ and SCOTT and BRANCH-ARD, JJ.
Henry Parsons, for appellant.
Van Mater Stilwell, for respondent.

Opinion:
SCOTT, J.
It is not easy to see upon what theory the justice gave judgment in favor of defendant.. The defendant expressly agreed, in writing, to pay plaintiff one-half of the amount the latter might save from the claim then made against defendant's property. The claim made amounted to $1,113.50. The plaintiff at Once addressed himself to the receivers of the corporation malting the claim, insisting that it was excessive, as it undoubtedly was. Ultimately, after the decision in a similar case by one of the Appellate Divisions of this state, the receivers acceded, in the main, to plaintiff's contention, and the claim was settled at a considerable reduction. It cannot -be said that plaintiff did nothing to earn his fee, for he certainly conducted the negotiations between defendant and the receivers. Possibly the defendant might have obtained as large a reduction if he had undertaken the negotiations himself, but even that is not certain. At all events,' he employed the plaintiff to obtain a reduction, and it was obtained. We are unable to accede to the argument of defendant's counsel to the effect that a lawyer can only earn a fee by bringing a suit. To obtain a favorable settlement of a controversy without suit is certainly a legitimate professional service.
Judgment reversed and new trial granted, with costs to appellant to abide the event. All concur.