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.
A retainer agreement, for example, means that agencies receive ongoing payment from their clients. A one-off contract, on the other hand, revolves around a particular service that an agency provides its client for a specified time.
Most retainer agreements stay active for 6-12 months but can be renewed based on ongoing legal needs. Understanding your retainer agreement's timeline is crucial for maintaining continuous legal representation and managing your legal expenses effectively.
The details of the agreement should be communicated to the client, in writing, when the lawyer has not regularly represented the client. These details include the scope of the representation and the expenses for which the client is responsible. Otherwise, having communication in written form is merely “preferable.”
Here's my advice: Pitch only to existing clients or clients you know well. Never pitch a retainer agreement to someone you've never worked with before. Present the retainer as a way to get “front of the line” status. Highlight the benefit of predictable budgeting. Include a small discount (maybe)
Retainer agreements (also referred to as representation agreements) are a type of compensation agreement with lawyers either for reserving their employment or as compensation for future services. Also inside the agreement are details on the scope and procedure for the representation.
Traditional (Hawley) retainers have a piece of wire attached to plastic (or acrylic). Clear retainers (Essix) are also plastic but don't have any wires. Both are custom-made to fit your teeth.
Retainer agreements (also referred to as representation agreements) are a type of compensation agreement with lawyers either for reserving their employment or as compensation for future services. Also inside the agreement are details on the scope and procedure for the representation.