Free template
Attorney Lien Notice Template | Free Charging Lien Generator
Generate a formal attorney's lien notice tailored to your matter, client, and state in under a minute.
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PreviewWhat you'll get
NOTICE OF ATTORNEY'S CHARGING LIEN
TO: Jane Q. Doe, former client, and all counsel of record in Doe v. Acme Corp., Case No. 2024-CV-01234, Superior Court of Fulton County, Georgia.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the law firm of Smith and Associates, LLP, through attorney of record Robert Smith, hereby asserts a charging lien in the amount of $42,500.00 for legal services rendered and costs advanced in the above-captioned matter, pursuant to O.C.G.A. Section 15-19-14.
All parties and any settlement payor are directed to withhold the disputed amount from any judgment, settlement, or recovery until the lien is satisfied or adjudicated.
When a client discharges your firm or refuses to pay earned fees, perfecting your lien rights quickly is critical to recovery. This attorney lien notice template helps you draft a clear, jurisdiction-aware notice of attorney's lien that puts the client, opposing counsel, and any settlement payor on record.
Fill in the matter details below and the tool will produce a formatted notice you can adapt to your state's statutory or common-law lien framework. Always have a partner review the final document before serving or filing.
Why use itBuilt for the way law firms actually work
Charging or Retaining Lien
Choose the correct lien type for your jurisdiction and matter posture before serving the notice.
Jurisdiction-Aware Language
Output references your state's lien framework so you can adapt to statutory or common-law rules.
Settlement Payor Instructions
Includes directive language telling opposing counsel and insurers to withhold disputed settlement funds.
Certificate of Service Included
Generated document ends with a service block ready to complete and file with the court.
100% Free
No paywall, no credit card, no usage cap on generating lien notices for your firm.
No Signup Required
Fill the form and download the HTML output without creating an account or sharing client data.
ProcessHow it works
- 01 Enter firm and attorney details
Provide your firm name, address, and the attorney of record asserting the lien for the matter.
- 02 Describe the client and matter
Add the former client's name, case caption, court, and case number so the notice ties to the record.
- 03 Select lien type and amount
Choose charging, retaining, or statutory lien and enter the fees and costs you are claiming.
- 04 Generate and review the notice
The tool outputs formatted HTML you can paste into Word and have a partner review before service.
CoverageWhat's included
- Formal caption identifying the matter and parties
- Recital of representation and basis for the lien
- Operative notice asserting the lien amount
- Reference to your state's lien authority
- Withholding instructions to opposing counsel and payors
- Signature block for the attorney of record
- Certificate of service template
- Clean HTML output ready for Word or PDF
ContextWhy this matters
Attorney liens are one of the few self-help remedies a US lawyer has when a client discharges the firm or refuses to pay earned fees. Nearly every state recognizes some form of charging lien, either by statute (such as New York Judiciary Law Section 475, California common-law charging liens, or Florida's equitable charging lien doctrine) or by court rule. Missing the procedural steps to perfect the lien, including written notice to the client and opposing counsel, can waive the claim entirely.
The ABA Standing Committee on Ethics has repeatedly cautioned that lien assertion must comply with Model Rule 1.8(i) and state analogs, and several state bars have disciplined lawyers for overreaching liens that interfere with client files or settlement proceeds.
A clean, timely notice protects fee recovery, satisfies due process expectations, and creates a paper trail if you later need to intervene in the underlying action or file a separate fee suit.
Q&AFrequently asked
- It is a formal written notice asserting a lawyer's right to be paid from a client's recovery or file. It puts the client, opposing counsel, and any settlement payor on notice that fees and costs are claimed against the proceeds of the matter.
- Yes. CaseLedge publishes this template at no cost. There is no signup, no paywall, and no limit on how many notices you can generate.
- Solo and small-firm US attorneys who have been discharged by a client, are withdrawing for nonpayment, or need to protect fees in a contingency matter that another lawyer has taken over.
- A charging lien attaches to the proceeds of the matter, such as a settlement or judgment. A retaining lien attaches to the client's file and property in your possession. Some states recognize both, some only one, so check your jurisdiction.
- Serve it as soon as the fee dispute crystallizes, typically at withdrawal, discharge, or when you learn another lawyer has taken over a contingency matter. Waiting until after settlement can forfeit the lien in many states.
- No. Lien enforceability depends on your state statute or case law and on procedural compliance. This template is a drafting aid, not legal advice. A partner or fee-dispute counsel should review the final notice.
- In many jurisdictions, yes. Charging liens often require filing in the underlying action or recording with the clerk to bind third parties. Confirm your state's filing requirement before relying on service alone.
- Asserting a lien for an unreasonable amount or holding client files hostage in violation of Model Rule 1.16(d). Overreaching can trigger bar discipline and waive the lien itself.