Section 475-A. If prior to the commencement of an action, special or other proceeding, an attorney serves a notice of lien upon the person or persons against whom his client has or may have a claim or cause of action, the attorney has a lien upon the claim or cause of action from the time such notice is given, which attaches to a verdict, report, determination, decision or final order in his client's favor of any court or of any state, municipal or federal department, except a department of labor, and to any money or property which may be recovered on account of such claim or cause of action in whatever hands they may come; and the lien cannot be affected by any settlement between the parties after such notice of lien is given

The notice shall, (1) be
  served by either personal service or registered mail; (2) be in writing;
  (3) state  that  the  relationship  of  attorney  and  client  has  been
  established,  the  nature  of the claim or cause of action, and that the
  attorney claims a lien on such claim or cause of action; (4)  be  signed
  by the client, or by a person on his behalf whose relationship is shown,
  and  which  signature  shall also be witnessed by a disinterested person
  whose address shall also be given; and (5) be signed by the attorney.  A
  lien  obtained  under  this section shall otherwise have the same effect
  and be enforced in the same manner as a lien obtained under section four
  hundred seventy-five of this chapter.
    * NB Enacted without section heading.