Sanders v. Seelye , 128 Ill. 631 ( 1889 )

Mr. Justice Wilkin

delivered the opinion of the Court:

The case of Walter L. Peck et al. v. Chicago and Great Western Railroad Land Co. et al. (a statement of which will be found in 112 Ill. 414-430,) having been reversed and remanded by this court, and pending in the circuit court of Cook county, a dispute arose between appellant and appellees, bis former attorneys, as to the fees of the latter, and out of that controversy grew the further one as to whether or not appellees were entitled to a lien upon the one hundred and ninety-five bonds of appellant involved in the Peck suit.

Appellant having discharged said attorneys, tendered them $175 in full of all fees due them, and demanded the surrender of the bonds, which being refused, he filed this petition for a rule on them to surrender and deliver up the same to him. Upon being ruled to show cause why they should not be required to do so, respondents set up a retaining lien for fees, which they claim were due and unpaid from petitioner, for services rendered by them in said cause, appellees Quick & Miller claiming $5000 for such services in the Appellate Court for the First District and the Supreme Court, and $500 for services after the reversal and before they were finally discharged. No special claim for fees was made by respondent Seelye, in the answer, but it was averred that he had rendered services in said cause in connection with said Quick & Miller. Before the master he presented an account for professional services performed for appellant, generally, aggregating $3650. The cause having been referred to the master to take and report the evidence, together with his conclusions, he made his first report, by which he found that there was due Quick & Miller $5500, and Seelye $2840, and also reported that they were entitled to a retaining lien upon the bonds for those amounts. On exceptions to this report, the circuit court held that Quick & Miller were only entitled to the sum of $300 for services in the Appellate Court, by the terms of an express agreement between themselves and Seelye on the one part, and appellant on the other; that in addition to that amount they were entitled to $600 for services performed after the reversal in the Supreme Court. It was also held upon that hearing, that, they were entitled to compensation for their services in the Supreme Court upon the quantum memit, there being no contract between the parties as to what should be paid therefor; and the cause was again referred to the master to take evidence, and ascertain the value of such services.

As to that part of the master’s report allowing Seelye $2840, no objection was made, because it was not claimed in the answer, but the objection then urged was, that the allowance was greater in amount than the evidence justified, and the court, upon consideration thereof, reduced it to $1205.

On the coming in of the master’s second report, by which he found the value of the services of Quick & Miller in the Supreme Court to be $5000, further exceptions were heard, and it was finally determined and ordered that Quick & Miller be allowed the sum $4950, and Seelye $1158.25, and that they each have a retaining lien upon said bonds until said amounts should be paid. Sanders having appealed, appellees filed cross-errors in the Appellate Court, by which they sought to question the correctness of the decree below, in not allowing them the full amounts reported by the master. The Appellate Court having affirmed the decree below, Sanders appeals to this court.

The cross-errors are not insisted upon here, and we have therefore only to consider the grounds of reversal insisted upon by appellant. Numerous errors are assigned on his behalf, each of which is made a point in the argument. Many of them are mere criticisms upon the opinion of the Appellate Court, and are in no proper sense assignments of error on the record.

We think the merits of the case may be fully and fairly considered under three heads, viz: First, has an attorney a retaining lien in this State, as a matter of law; second, are the facts essential to the existence of such a lien established by the proofs in this case; third, does the evidence justify the decree as to the amounts found due.

Attorney’s liens are classed as general (or retaining) liens, and charging (or special) liens. The first attaches to all papers, documents, etc., which he receives professionally; the second only upon that which is recovered through Ms professional services. This latter right of lien has been denied by this court in several eases. In Humphrey et al. v. Browning et al. 46 Ill. 476, it was held that he had no lien upon real estate recovered in ejectment; in Forsythe v. Beveridge, 52 Ill. 268, that he had no such lien upon a judgment recovered; and so in each of the other cases cited by counsel, it was held that no lien existed in his favor upon the subject matter of the suit. Although expressions are used in the opinions in some of these eases which seem to deny an attorney’s right to the retaining lien also, m none of them was that question before the court, nor was it decided. It is now therefore to be treated as an open question in this State.

That it is a well established common law right, must be conceded. Stephen v. Blacklock, 1 M. & S. 535; St. John v. Dufendorf, 12 Wend. 261; Bennett v. Cetts, 11 id. 163; Walker v. Sargeant, 14 Vt. 247; Ward v. Craig, 87 N. Y. 551. No reason is perceived for denying the existence of that right in this State. There is nothing in our statute which changes the common law relations between attorneys and their clients in such a manner as to affect this right, nor are we able to see wherein this rule of the common law is inapplicable to “the habits and conditions of our society, or contrary to the genius, spirit and objects of our institutions.” We therefore hold, that in a proper case an attorney in Illinois may legally maintain such a lien.

Passing to the next question, the authorities seem to be uniform in holding that this retaining lien exists on all papers or documents of the client placed in the attorney’s hands- in his professional character or in the course of his professional employment; (Stokes on Liens of Attorneys, p. 67; Weeks on Attorneys, sec. 372, p. 614; Wharton on Agency, sec. 625; Story on Agency, sec. 383;) and it makes no difference what the purpose may have been in placing them in the attorney’s hands. Weeks on Attorneys, sec. 372, supra; Wharton on Agency, sec. 625, note 1.

Did the bonds in question come into the possession of appellees within the meaning of these rules ?» It is insisted that they were left with Seelye merely for safe keeping, subject to appellant’s orders, and that their deposit with him had no connection with either his or Quick & Miller’s professional employment in the Peck case. This position is wholly inconsistent with the remedy appellant is now seeking to enforce. If Seelye was a mere custodian of these bonds for safe keeping, and held them only subject to appellant’s order, by what authority can the circuit court of Cook county, in the Peck case, make an order requiring respondents to show cause why they do not surrender them ? We think, however, that the evidence is clear, to the effect that they were placed in the hands of Seelye as the attorney of appellant in the Peck case, so that they might be used in securing to the client the benefits resulting to him from the successful litigation of that case in the Supreme Court; and whatever may have been appellant’s understanding as to the amount of fees to be paid, it can not be claimed that he did not fully understand that Quick & Miller and Seelye were acting together as his attorneys in that case. Therefore, whether the bonds were delivered to Seelye alone, or to him and Quick & Miller jointly, the lien would attach for the benefit of all. It is also clear, from the evidence, that appellant knew that these bonds had been deposited by Seelye in the safe of Quick & Miller, and that they claimed a lien upon them for their services; and with such knowledge he permitted them to remain in their possession, retaining them thereafter in the further management of said cause. We are of the opinion, therefore, that the circuit court was justified in holding that said bonds were subject to a lien in favor of appellees for any balance due and unpaid them for their fees as the attorneys of appellant.

That there was a balance of $500 due Quick & Miller is not controverted, and the exceptions filed to the master’s report allowing Seelye certain fees, must be held to amount to an admission that there was something, at least, due him. In the exception it is said he should only have been allowed $805, and it was admitted that of that amount but $475 had been paid, but it was attempted to charge him with $160, money and accrued interest furnished to pay taxes, for which it was claimed he had failed to account, thus leaving a balance of $270, and it was sought to liquidate this amount by a counterclaim of $500, for damages resulting from a failure to pay taxes for the appellant, of which there is no satisfactory proof whatever. But the principal question in determining whether fees were due and unpaid, is, whether or not the services performed were under a special contract, and therefore can be more satisfactorily considered under the third head.

The relative positions of the parties on this branch of the case may be thus stated: Appellant maintains that he made a special contract with appellees, by which he was to pay $500 if successful in the Supreme Court, and $300 if unsuccessful, which position can only be maintained by holding, that whatever services were performed in the Appellate Court were understood to be merely preliminary to a final decision in the Supreme Court, the fees to be paid in both being included in the one contract. Appellees insist that whatever special contract was made, was with reference to fees in the Appellate Court alone, and that they are entitled to a reasonable compensation for all other services,—and so the Supreme and Appellate Courts have held.

Appellant’s theory is based upon his letter to appellee Seelye, dated September 25, 1882, in which he says: “Tours 23d inst. was received this A. M. In reply I would say, that the terms on which you propose to have my interest represented and protected in Supreme Court on appeal, are not so favorable as I was led to anticipate, and I can not accede to them. * * * I will do this : I will pay for the printing necessary in the case, and I will pay attorney’s fees in addition to make the sum of $500 if successful, if not successful $300,—that is, the total shall not exceed $500 in case of success, and only $300 if not successful. * * * If the thing is a success I may feel different as to remuneration. I don’t want any one to work for me without fair compensation if the result is remunerative to me. My proposal relates to a reversal of the Supreme Court; as to other acts succeeding, different terms can be fixed.” The construction contended for by appellees, and sustained by the lower courts, makes the letter read as though the words “Appellate Court” had been used instead of “Supreme Court.” Seelye testifies that he understood the letter in that way, and we think, from all the evidence, the circuit court was justified in holding that Sanders so intended, notwithstanding the express mention of the Supreme Court therein. This, we think, is manifest from the correspondence between the parties, preceding and subsequent to the foregoing letter.

It is admitted that the Peck case, long prior, had been appealed by Sanders to the Supreme Court, and the appeal dismissed. Subsequently, Seelye, and Herbert, Quick & Miller, (the latter firm being the predecessors of the firm of Quick & Miller,) by correspondence with Sanders, had been negotiating with him for the privilege of withdrawing the record from the Supreme Court, for the purpose of prosecuting a writ of error on behalf of other parties. On the 28th day of September, 1881, Seelye informed Sanders, by letter, that-they had finally succeeded in getting the record, and asked, “Now what shall we do?” On October 8, 1881, Herbert, Quick & Miller wrote Seelye: “We now have the transcript in our possession to file in the Appellate Court. * * * On this a writ of error should be sued out immediately,” etc. On the same day Seelye inclosed that letter to Sanders, and wrote him: “Now that we have the record, it seems important that we move upon the enemy’s works with as little delay as possible.” Sanders had, at all times prior to this date, declined to be a party to the writ of error; but it is clear, from these letters, that he knew that it was to be sued out of the Appellate Court, and not the Supreme Court.

On the 14th day of August, 1882, appellant wrote Seelye, ■saying: “I write to inquire if anything was done in the Riverside case, looking to a review in the Supreme Cowrt.” September 14 following, Seelye replied: “The Riverside cases (our side of them) are nearly ready for the Appellate Court. * * * We are a little puzzled to know what to do with your interest. * * * No time is to be lost, as the court sits October 3. You know, generally, the steps taken. The •outlay of money is mostly made. Doubtless you can make a satisfactory arrangement with counsel engaged, to attend to your interest, with comparatively little pecuniary liability.” On the 16th of the same month Sanders replies, in which he says: “I received to-day your letter of the 14th inst., about my making an arrangement with counsel to attend to my interest in the forthcoming Riverside cases, on appeal, in your Supreme Court. I am somewhat in a quandary. It is whether I should make petition to the court to order the record returned, and set forth the facts according to which they were •obtained, as I have been solicited to do, or acquiesce in your suggestion, and engage counsel to represent me and attend to my interest before the court, on appeal.” And he insists, that in consideration of his having given the other parties the use of the record, his interest should be protected without charge. On the 21st of the same month he again writes Seelye, referring to the ease on appeal, saying: “Ton seem to think you can make favorable arrangements with counsel able to appear for me. Who is he, and what are the best terms you can make with him ?” On the 23d Seelye replied, making a proposition as to terms on which he would take the case, saying, “The counsel I have employed are Herbert, Quick & Miller.”' To this letter he asks for a reply by telegram, but on the 25th Sanders wrote the letter first above mentioned.

On the 28th, Herbert, Quick & Miller wrote a letter to S.eelye, in which they say: “We have considered your proposal in behalf of Mr. Sanders, that we represent his interest in the Appellate Court.” They go on to state what they expect to do, and say that they “do not expect to succeed without a desperate contest, first in the Appellate Cou/rt, second, in the Supreme Court, and then, if successful, again in the circuit court.” In this letter they decline the proposal by appellant. On the same day Seelye enclosed that letter to Sanders, saying, “I submitted your proposition to Messrs. Herbert, Quick & Miller, and have just received the enclosed.” On the 30th Sanders replies, concluding his letter with the statement, “I can not change my proposal, and if not accepted I will await and look on, abiding events.” October 3 Seelye again wrote hi in : “I received yours of the 30th ult., yesterday. I have felt that it was very important that your interests should be looked after by some one, and had engaged Mr. Herbert to appear for you when the case should be called to-day.” In this letter he speaks of going to the Appellate Court, of the case being called at the opening of court, and a motion to dismiss for want of jurisdiction, etc. October 9 he informs Sanders of the death of Mr. Herbert. October 17, that as Mr. Miller was familiar with the case he should go on with it ; and he expressly states, “The case now stands in the Appellate Court, on a motion to dismiss,” etc. October 26 he again informs him, “The Appellate Court this morning denied the motion to dismiss our Riverside case.” October 28 Sanders replies: “I have received yours bf the 26th inst., informing me that the Appellate Court denied the motion to dismiss appeal.”

This correspondence continued during the pendency of the case, and from it it would seem too clear for argument that appellant fully understood that the case was pending in the Appellate Cowrt, and not what he termed the Supreme Court; and it is equally clear that he understood, or at least that he was informed, that the negotiations with him as to fees were with reference to the Appellate Court, and not the Supreme Court. It may be, and probably is, true, that he did not fully understand our system of courts; but no one can read this correspondence and come to any other conclusion than that the parties intended the special contract between them to relate to services rendered in the court in which the case was then pending, and not to some other court of review to which it might be taken.

On the 27th of June, 1883, Seelye informed Sanders that the Appellate Court had affirmed the Riverside cases, and he again inquires, “Row what shall we do? The parties here want to take it up. It rests largely with you to decide. The expense will not be large. Our briefs are printed. We will have the record of the Appellate Court, and a printed abstract of it. We think we had better go in and fight it out.” To which he replies: “If the expense is not going to be great, I should be in favor of going up to the Supreme Court. I would like to have some idea what the expense will be. I do not wish to take another leap in the dark, as I did with McCagg. I am willing to sustain my fair proportion. * * * I think it would be unwise to stop here, after all that has been done, and the principal work performed.” July 21, 1883, appeal bonds were forwarded by Seelye, to be executed by Sanders, and in the letter accompanying them he states that the costs of the appeal will not exceed $500. There was no pretence that there was any contract for attorney’s fees in the Supreme Court, except as by the letter of September 25, 1882.

We have carefully examined all the evidence submitted in this case, and we are satisfied that, fairly construed, it justifies the construction placed upon the letter of September 25, 1882, by the circuit and Appellate courts, and that the compensation which the appellees were to receive for services in the Supreme Court was intentionally left, by the parties to be fixed by what should appear to be reasonable, in view of the services performed.

The evidence reported by the master, though somewhat conflicting, fully justified his report fixing that amount at $5000, for Quick & Miller. As to the amount allowed Seelye, the evidence is even more satisfactory, considering it as a whole. But it is insisted that the master in chancery and circuit court allowed him for services in the Appellate Court, whereas the entire' $300 which he and Quick & Miller were entitled to under the letter of September 25, had already been allowed Quick & Miller. In his account presented to the master, item 10 was for “services, counsel and disbursements in your behalf in suit of C. and G. W. R. R. Land Co. et al. v. W. L. Peck et al., in Appellate and Supreme Courts, $1000.” This item was allowed by the master in chancery. Item 6 was for $2000, which the master allowed for $1750. On these two items the court allowed but $1200, and it can not be said that any portion of that sum was necessarily allowed as fees in the Appellate Court.

While this case is not free from difficulty, we are satisfied that the merits are with appellees.

The judgment of the Appellate Court is affirmed.

Judgment affirmed.