# S.D. Codified Laws § 16-18-21: Attorney's lien on proceeds of action

> South Dakota · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T16_C18_S16-18-21

## Section

- **Citation:** S.D. Codified Laws § 16-18-21
- **Heading:** Attorney's lien on proceeds of action
- **Jurisdiction:** South Dakota
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** SD Code / Title 16 / Chapter 18 / Section 16-18-21

## Text

An attorney and counselor at law has a lien for a general balance of compensation in and for each case upon:

(1) Any paper belonging to his client which has come into his hands in the course of his professional employment in the case for which the lien is claimed;

(2) Money in his hands belonging to his client in the case;

(3) Money due his client in the hands of the adverse party or attorney of such party, in an action or proceeding in which the attorney claiming the lien was employed, from the time of giving notice in writing to such adverse party or attorney of such party, if the money is in the possession or under the control of such attorney, which notice shall state the amount claimed and in general terms for what services; after judgment in any court of record such notice may be given and the lien made effective against the judgment debtor by entering it in the judgment docket.

Source: PolC 1877, ch 18, § 9; CL 1887, § 470; RPolC 1903, § 702; RC 1919, § 5266; SDC 1939 & Supp 1960, § 32.1205; SL 1983, ch 157, § 3.

## Nearby sections

- [S.D. Codified Laws § 16-18-1 License and bar membership required to practice law--Injunction to restrain violations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T16_C18_S16-18-1.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 16-18-2 16-18-2. Attorney licensing--Non-resident attorneys--"Pro hac vice" admission on motion--Requirements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T16_C18_S16-18-2.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 16-18-2.1 Legal assistance by law students--Purpose of provisions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T16_C18_S16-18-2.1.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 16-18-2.2 Requirements for participation by law student](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T16_C18_S16-18-2.2.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 16-18-2.3 Certification of legal intern or extern by law school dean--Filing--Effective period--Withdrawal by dean or termination by Supreme Court](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T16_C18_S16-18-2.3.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 16-18-2.4 Consent and approval for appearance by legal intern or extern--Authority for appearance in civil and criminal matters](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T16_C18_S16-18-2.4.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 16-18-2.5 Appearance by legal intern or extern for state, county, or first or second class municipality](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T16_C18_S16-18-2.5.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 16-18-2.6 Preparation of pleadings, briefs, and other documents by legal intern or extern](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T16_C18_S16-18-2.6.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 16-18-2.7 Oral argument by legal intern or extern before Supreme Court](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T16_C18_S16-18-2.7.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 16-18-2.8 Notation of oral consent and approval of appearance by legal intern or extern--Filing of written consent](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T16_C18_S16-18-2.8.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 16-18-2.9 Qualifications of supervising lawyer--Professional responsibility](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T16_C18_S16-18-2.9.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 16-18-2.10 Other rights not affected by provisions for legal assistance by legal interns or externs](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T16_C18_S16-18-2.10.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 16-18-5.1 Temporary waiver of admission requirements for nonresident defense counsel where county is experiencing significant increase in criminal cases](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T16_C18_S16-18-5.1.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 16-18-6 Contracts and powers of disbarred attorney void](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T16_C18_S16-18-6.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T16_C18_S16-18-21. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.