Case Name: Thomas Egan agt. James Rooney
Court: New York Superior Court
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1869-10
Citations: 38 How. Pr. 121
Docket Number: 
Parties: Thomas Egan agt. James Rooney.
Judges: 
Reporter: Howard's Practice Reports
Volume: 38
Pages: 121–122

Head Matter:
N. Y. SUPERIOR COURT.
Thomas Egan agt. James Rooney.
On the entry of judgment, the authority of the attorney for the defendant ceases, and he is at liberty to employ another- attorney in the action- without an order of substitution.
If it is desired to obtain, possession of papers in the action in the hands of the former attorney, an independent proceeding against him is necessary.
Judgment will be opened, and the defendant let in to defend, &c. on terms, where he shows an excusable neglect.
Special Term,
October 1869.
Motion for substitution of attorney for defendant, and to open the j udgment in this action &c.
A. H. Reavey, for the, motion.
Geo. Douglass, & Mr. Kent, opposed.

Opinion:
Jones J.
The authority of Mr. Philip, in this1 action as attorney for the defendant ceased on the entry of the judgment; and therefore defendant was at liberty to employ any other attorney to take such action in relation to the judgment and cause as he desired, without any order of substitution. The motion for substitution is therefore unneccessary, and for that reason is denied. If it is designed to obtain possession of papers now in Mr. Phillips hands, that must be done by an indepennant proceeding against him.
From the papers used on the motion, I think defendant derived the impression from his conversation with plaintiff 's friends that this action so far as the action itself was concerned was abandoned and that there was no néccessity ior further attention to it. The defualt then was taken through the excusable neglect of the defendant.
Defendant must be let in to answer on payment of $10 costs of opposing this motion, the disbursments included in the judgment roll, and the sheriffs fees and expenses. The judgment and levy if any to stand as security. The defendant to consent to a reference to a referee to be named by the court if the plaintiff deserves it. Answer .to be put in in ten days. If there is a levy, and defendant desires to have it removed, he may do so by bringing the amount of plaintiff 's claim and $100 into court, to the credit of this action to abide the event thereof, the same to be applied on motion of plaintiff " on notice to defendant to the payment of any judgment the plaintiff may recover herein, and the surplus to be repaid to the defendant.