What is a retainer agreement? By asking you to sign a retainer agreement at the initial meeting, the law firm wants to lock you up, exclusively, such that you are no longer able to speak with any other lawyer or law firm about your case. This is not in your best interests.

You do not want to be in a rush when deciding which lawyer or law firm is best for your case. You want to be able to speak with as many lawyers as you want in order to make your decision. At your first meeting with the lawyer, you should explain that you will not sign the retainer agreement until you have had time to carefully review it and had all questions answered about its terms. The last thing you want to do is sign the retainer agreement without reading it (believe it or not, that is what most clients do).

Here’s what the lawyer isn’t telling you about retainer agreements

Even if you sign the retainer agreement, you have the right to fire the lawyer whenever you want with no explanation necessary. You always have the sole and exclusive right to change lawyers. You are not required to stay with your lawyer simply because you signed a retainer agreement.

The last thing you want is to be pressured into signing any documents. If your lawyer is pressuring you to sign the retainer agreement at the first meeting, it’s probably time to find a new lawyer.

If you have questions about a lawyer’s retainer agreement, here’s what you can do

If you never signed a retain agreement with a lawyer – that’s no problem.

If you have questions or want more information, I welcome your phone call or you can send me an e-mail. You are welcome to request a FREE copy of my book, The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims.