Retainer is a formal agreement between a lawyer and a client in which the lawyer agrees to take the client’s case. This type of agreement is called a special retainer. There is also a general retainer, in which the lawyer agrees to act for the client when needed. Usually, a client retains a lawyer by paying a retaining fee, which may also be called a retainer. After a lawyer has entered into a retainer agreement with a client, the lawyer is legally bound to represent that client in the case. The lawyer cannot agree to represent any other party in the case. A lawyer who accepts a general retainer cannot perform services for anyone else that would be against the client’s best interests.
