Summary
finding that outgoing attorney was entitled to 20 percent of the total net contingent fee recovered in a personal injury action
Summary of this case from Consolver v. HotzeOpinion
May 11, 1998
Appeal from the Supreme Court, Kings County (Cannizzaro, J.H.O.).
Ordered that the appeal from the decision is dismissed, without costs or disbursements, as no appeal lies from a decision ( see, Schicchi v. Green Constr. Corp., 100 A.D.2d 509); and it is further,
Ordered that the order is modified, on the law and the facts, by deleting from the first decretal paragraph thereof the sum of $14,724.78 and substituting therefor the sum of $26,504.62; as so modified, the order is affirmed, without costs or disbursements.
When there is a fee dispute between outgoing and incoming attorneys, the outgoing attorney: may elect to receive either immediate compensation based on quantum meruit for the reasonable value of services rendered or a contingent percentage fee based on the proportionate share of the work performed on the entire case ( see, Lai Ling Cheng v. Modansky Leasing Co., 73 N.Y.2d 454, 458; Schneebalg v. Lincoln Sec. Life Ins. Co., 225 A.D.2d 684). Here, the petitioner, the outgoing attorney, elected to receive a contingent percentage fee at the conclusion of the underlying personal injury action ( see, Lai Ling Cheng v. Modansky Leasing Co., supra). Consequently, the court erred to the extent that it fixed his fee based on quantum meruit. Because the record is sufficient for us to determine the appropriate fee, it is unnecessary to remit the matter for a new determination.
Considering the amount of time spent by the attorneys on the case, the nature of the work performed, and the relative contributions of counsel ( see, Lai Ling Cheng v. Modansky Leasing Co., supra, at 458, 459), we find that the petitioner is entitled to 20% of the total net contingent fee recovered in the personal injury action.
In light of our determination, it is unnecessary to address the petitioner's remaining contention.
Sullivan, J.P., Pizzuto, Altman and Friedmann, JJ., concur.