Opinion ID: 2027641
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: whether karras' former attorney has a valid and enforceable attorney's lien against the proceeds of a settlement entered into between karras and alpha corporation after the former attorney had withdrawn as counsel.

Text: Karras begins by challenging the trial court's finding that Hoy and Karras did not operate under a contingent fee agreement. However, it is undisputed that Karras did not file any objections to Hoy's proposed findings of fact, nor did he propose his own findings of fact. A party's failure to file proposed findings of fact, or to object to his opponent's proposed findings, limits this Court's review to whether the trial court's findings of fact support its conclusions of law and judgment. Huth v. Hoffman, 464 N.W.2d 637, 638 (S.D.1991); Donohue v. Jennings, 334 N.W.2d 683, 684 (S.D.1983). Here, the findings clearly support the conclusions of law and judgment. Consequently, we need not reach the issue of whether the trial court's findings were erroneous. Furthermore, even if Karras and Hoy had entered into a contingent fee agreement, this would not effect the validity of Hoy's attorney's lien. Contrary to Karras' claims, there are no South Dakota cases or statutes which prohibit attorney's liens in contingent fee cases, nor can we divine any policy reason for denying attorney's liens in such cases. Karras also suggests that Hoy may not establish an attorney's lien on the settlement proceeds because he voluntarily withdrew as counsel of record prior to the settlement agreement. We reject this argument. Where an attorney has good cause to withdraw, the attorney's lien remains intact. Phelps Steel, Inc. v. Von Deak, 24 Mass.App. Ct. 592, 511 N.E.2d 42, 44 (1987); Reed Yates Farms, Inc. v. Yates, 172 Ill.App.3d 519, 122 Ill.Dec. 576, 526 N.E.2d 1115 (1988), appeal denied, 122 Ill.2d 593, 125 Ill.Dec. 235, 530 N.E.2d 263 (1988). See also Jenkins v. Dist. Ct. In & For Eighth Judicial District, 676 P.2d 1201, 1204 (Colo.1984) ([A]n attorney who withdraws from a case for justifiable reason, or is terminated by his client without cause, may recover compensation for his services.). Settlement between the parties in the underlying litigation will not destroy the attorney's claim. Paolillo v. American Export Isbrandtsen Lines, Inc., 305 F.Supp. 250, 251 (S.D.N.Y.1969); Lucas v. Bob Hurst Mazda-Peugeot Automobiles, 174 Ga.App. 212, 329 S.E.2d 593, 595 (1985); Jarboe v. Hicks, 281 Ark. 21, 660 S.W.2d 930, 931 (1983). Affirmed. SABERS, AMUNDSON and KONENKAMP, JJ., and WUEST, Retired Justice, concur.