Section 475. Attorney's lien in action, special or other proceeding

From
  the commencement of an action, special or other proceeding in any  court
  or   before  any  state,  municipal  or  federal  department,  except  a
  department  of  labor,  or  the  service  of  an  answer  containing   a
  counterclaim,  the  attorney who appears for a party has a lien upon his
  client's cause of action, claim or counterclaim,  which  attaches  to  a
  verdict, report, determination, decision, judgment or final order in his
  client's  favor,  and  the  proceeds  thereof in whatever hands they may
  come; and the lien cannot be affected  by  any  settlement  between  the
  parties  before  or  after  judgment, final order or determination.  The
  court upon the petition of the client  or  attorney  may  determine  and
  enforce the lien.