Legal Dictionary

retainer

Legal Definition of retainer

Noun

  1. A contract between a lawyer and his (or her) client, wherein the lawyer agrees to represent and provide legal advice to the client, in exchange for money. The signed retainer begins the client-lawyer relationship from which flow many responsibilities and duties, primarily on the lawyer, including to provide accurate legal advice, to monitor limitation dates and to not allow any conflict of interest with the relationship with the client.

Related terms

Definition of retainer

Etymology

    From retain, from French retenir (“to retain”).

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA: /ɹɪˈteɪn.ə/
  • (US) IPA: /ɹɪˈteɪn.ɚ/, /ɹəˈteɪn.ɚ/
  • Rhymes: -eɪnə(r)

Noun

retainer (plural retainers)

  1. A dependent or follower of someone of rank.
  2. A paid servant, especially one who has been employed for many years.
  3. Any thing or person that retains.
  4. A fee one pays to reserve the other's time for services.

    This lawyer charges a retainer for his work.

References:

  1. Wiktionary. Published under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.



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