# Nev. Rev. Stat. § 18.015: Lien for attorney's fees: Amount; perfection; enforcement

> Nevada · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NV_T2_C18_S18.015

## Section

- **Citation:** Nev. Rev. Stat. § 18.015
- **Heading:** Lien for attorney's fees: Amount; perfection; enforcement
- **Jurisdiction:** Nevada
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** NV Code / Title 2 / Chapter 18 / Section 18.015

## Text

1. An attorney at law shall have a lien: (a) Upon any claim, demand or cause of action, including any claim for unliquidated damages, which has been placed in the attorney's hands by a client for suit or collection, or upon which a suit or other action has been instituted. (b) In any civil action, upon any file or other property properly left in the possession of the attorney by a client.

2. A lien pursuant to subsection 1 is for the amount of any fee which has been agreed upon by the attorney and client. In the absence of an agreement, the lien is for a reasonable fee for the services which the attorney has rendered for the client.

3. An attorney perfects a lien described in subsection 1 by serving notice in writing, in person or by certified mail, return receipt requested, upon his or her client and, if applicable, upon the party against whom the client has a cause of action, claiming the lien and stating the amount of the lien.

4. A lien pursuant to: (a) Paragraph (a) of subsection 1 attaches to any verdict, judgment or decree entered and to any money or property which is recovered on account of the suit or other action; and (b) Paragraph (b) of subsection 1 attaches to any file or other property properly left in the possession of the attorney by his or her client, including, without limitation, copies of the attorney's file if the original documents received from the client have been returned to the client, and authorizes the attorney to retain any such file or property until such time as an adjudication is made pursuant to subsection 6, from the time of service of the notices required by this section.

5. A lien pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection 1 must not be construed as inconsistent with the attorney's professional responsibilities to the client.

6. On motion filed by an attorney having a lien under this section, the attorney's client or any party who has been served with notice of the lien, the court shall, after 5 days' notice to all interested parties, adjudicate the rights of the attorney, client or other parties and enforce the lien.

7. Collection of attorney's fees by a lien under this section may be utilized with, after or independently of any other method of collection.

## Nearby sections

- [Nev. Rev. Stat. § 18.005 “Costs” defined](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NV_T2_C18_S18.005.md)
- [Nev. Rev. Stat. § 18.010 Award of attorney's fees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NV_T2_C18_S18.010.md)
- [Nev. Rev. Stat. § 18.015 Lien for attorney's fees: Amount; perfection; enforcement](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NV_T2_C18_S18.015.md)
- [Nev. Rev. Stat. § 18.020 Cases in which costs allowed prevailing party](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NV_T2_C18_S18.020.md)
- [Nev. Rev. Stat. § 18.025 Court not to refuse to award attorney's fees or costs solely because public officer or agency is prevailing party](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NV_T2_C18_S18.025.md)
- [Nev. Rev. Stat. § 18.030 Costs and disbursements in actions where defendants might have been joined](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NV_T2_C18_S18.030.md)
- [Nev. Rev. Stat. § 18.050 Discretion of court in allowing costs](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NV_T2_C18_S18.050.md)
- [Nev. Rev. Stat. § 18.060 Costs of appeal to Court of Appeals or Supreme Court; discretion of court](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NV_T2_C18_S18.060.md)
- [Nev. Rev. Stat. § 18.070 Payment of costs on postponement; costs and attorney's fees on mistrial](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NV_T2_C18_S18.070.md)
- [Nev. Rev. Stat. § 18.080 Effect of tender in action for recovery of money](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NV_T2_C18_S18.080.md)
- [Nev. Rev. Stat. § 18.090 Costs in actions by or against executors and trustees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NV_T2_C18_S18.090.md)
- [Nev. Rev. Stat. § 18.110 Verified memorandum of costs: Filing and service; witness' and clerk's fee; retaxing and settling costs](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NV_T2_C18_S18.110.md)
- [Nev. Rev. Stat. § 18.120 Interest and costs must be included by clerk in judgment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NV_T2_C18_S18.120.md)
- [Nev. Rev. Stat. § 18.130 When plaintiff may be required to secure costs; affidavits of sureties; dismissal of action if undertaking not filed](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NV_T2_C18_S18.130.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NV_T2_C18_S18.015. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.