how much does it cost to keep an attorney on retainer

by Herta Sanford 9 min read

The attorney is allowed to take money from the retainer for the time he worked on your case. What does it cost to keep a lawyer on retainer? Some lawyers charge retainer fees of $1000, while others charge $5000+. Depending on the lawyer and the complexity of your case, you can usually expect to pay a retainer fee of between $3000 and $5000.

There is a wide range of retainer fees, from as low as $500 or as high as $5,000 or more, depending on the type of agreement you have and the work involved. Actually, the fee can be any amount that the attorney requests, and it is typically requested at the beginning of legal representation.

Full Answer

What to expect when you hire an attorney on retainer?

This is the reason many businesses choose to have an attorney on retainer. It can also be the cheapest way to hire an attorney. The typical retainer fee for an attorney is $5,000 to $100,000. The retainer fee is an upfront payment for the entire amount of legal services that the lawyer will perform for you. This is not a fixed amount for a legal case.

What is the average retainer fee for a lawyer?

Jul 26, 2021 · Some lawyers charge retainer fees of $1000, while others charge $5000+. Depending on the lawyer and the complexity of your case, you can usually expect to pay a retainer fee of between $3000 and $5000.

What does it mean to have a lawyer on retainer?

Depending on the lawyer and the complexity of your case, you can usually expect to pay a retainer fee of between $3000 and $5000. How are retainer fees calculated? Multiply the number of hours by your hourly rate to calculate your monthly retainer. For example, multiplying 25 hours by an hourly rate of $107 equals a $2,675 monthly retainer.

How do you retain a lawyer?

Is it smart to keep a lawyer on retainer?

Perhaps the most apparent benefit of establishing a retainer agreement with an attorney is having the comfort of immediate legal advice at your fingertips. If you deal with legal issues frequently, a retainer agreement keeps a close line between you and your attorney if questions arise that require immediate attention.

What does keeping a lawyer on retainer mean?

When someone threatens to call “their” lawyer, it likely means that they have a lawyer "on retainer." To have a lawyer on retainer means that you – the client – pay a lawyer a small amount on a regular basis. In return, the lawyer performs specific legal services whenever you need them.Jan 4, 2022

How much should I charge for a retainer fee?

A good rule of thumb is to charge at least $3,000 per month for your retained clients because this way you'll only need 3 clients to sign retainer agreements in order to earn a six-figure income. Your goal should be to develop high-income skills so that each client is paying a $10,000 per month retainer fee.Sep 11, 2019

Is a retainer fee refundable?

Most frequently, the client agrees to a security or an advanced payment retainer where payment for services is drawn from the monies held in trust. Here's the kicker—only the true retainer is non-refundable. Unearned funds from either a security or advanced payment retainer must be refunded at the end of the work.Feb 22, 2018