A retainer agreement is a binding contract between an attorney and client that formalizes the representation relationship. Key components include the scope of legal services covered, the fee arrangement (contingency percentage or hourly rate), expense reimbursement terms, termination conditions, and communication protocols. For PI firms using intake software, the retainer is often one of the first documents generated after initial case acceptance. Modern electronic intake systems can prepare draft retainer agreements with client data pre-populated from intake forms, reducing the time between initial contact and formal engagement. Retainers must comply with state bar rules governing fee agreements and written disclosures.
← Glossary
Retainer Agreement
The signed contract establishing the attorney-client relationship, outlining fee structures, scope of representation, and mutual obligations.
Related terms
- Client Intake — The process of collecting initial information from a prospective client, verifying case viability, and establishing the attorney-client relationship.
- Contingency Fee — Payment structure where the attorney receives a percentage of the recovery only if the case wins or settles, with no fee if there's no payout.
- Scope of Representation — The defined boundaries of legal services the attorney agrees to provide, specified in the retainer agreement to manage expectations.