N.Y. Judiciary Law § 475: Attorney's lien in action, special or other proceeding

§ 475. Attorney's lien in action, special or other proceeding. From

the commencement of an action, special or other proceeding in any court

or before any state, municipal or federal department, except a

department of labor, or the service of an answer containing a

counterclaim, or the initiation of any means of alternative dispute

resolution including, but not limited to, mediation or arbitration, or

the provision of services in a settlement negotiation at any stage of

the dispute, the attorney who appears for a party has a lien upon his or

her client's cause of action, claim or counterclaim, which attaches to a

verdict, report, determination, decision, award, settlement, judgment or

final order in his or her client's favor, and the proceeds thereof in

whatever hands they may come; and the lien cannot be affected by any

settlement between the parties before or after judgment, final order or

determination. The court upon the petition of the client or attorney may

determine and enforce the lien.