A retainer agreement is a work-for-hire contract. It falls between a one-off contract and permanent employment, which may be full-time or part-time. Its distinguishing feature is that the client or customer pays in advance for professional work to be specified later.
Write the contract in six steps Start with a contract template. Open with the basic information. Describe in detail what you have agreed to. Describe how the contract will end. Say which laws apply and how disputes will be resolved. Include space for signatures.
The retainer agreement does not bind you to your lawyer. You can terminate the client-attorney relationship at any time.
A retainer agreement is a work-for-hire contract. It falls between a one-off contract and permanent employment, which may be full-time or part-time. Its distinguishing feature is that the client or customer pays in advance for professional work to be specified later.
Ideally, all clients entering a legal relationship with an attorney should have a form of retainer agreement reduced into writing. Many different types of cases would benefit from a retainer agreement. For example: Criminal charges.
Generally speaking, many jurisdictions require, or at least highly suggest, retainer agreements in writing. However, no laws require retainer agreements for clients and attorneys undertaking a general retainer relationship.