charging lien

A charging lien is defined as a type of attorney's lien under which a lawyer acquires an interest in a judgment awarded to the client.  This may mean that the lawyer can eventually claim a portion of any money paid to the client due to the judgment.  The lien arises because of the client's failure to pay for legal services .

Compare to retaining lien .

See e.g., Plummer v. Day/Eisenberg, LLP 184 Cal.App.4th 38  (2010)

[Last reviewed in July of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team ]

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