Retaining a Law Firm

Preliminary Information and Financial Retainer

Retaining a lawyer means hiring a lawyer. There are generally 2 parts to retaining a lawyer:

1) the provision of preliminary client information and instructions by the client to the lawyer; and
2) the provision of a deposit called a "financial retainer".

Traditionally a client would retain Caron & Partners LLP in the following manner. The client would contact the firm and obtain an appointment with a lawyer. The lawyer would meet with the client. At the meeting the lawyer would obtain relevant information pertaining to the client and the services the client wishes to have performed. A financial retainer would be requested. A file would be opened and the lawyer would commence providing the requested service.

Due to the geographic location of many clients, it is convenient for them to retain Caron & Partners LLP over the internet. Both the required preliminary information and the financial retainer can be provided online.

Security

Clients may be concerned about providing information and payment over the internet. Our online services, however, are secure. For details on the security measures incorporated into our online services, please click here.

Protection Of Financial Retainer

Lawyers practicing law in Alberta, Canada, are governed by the Law Society of Alberta and the Legal Professions Act.

Lawyers are ethically and legally bound to account for all funds received from clients. This necessitates that lawyers obtain certain information from clients. It further necessitates that lawyers maintain accurate records regarding all monies received from and paid out on behalf of clients.

Financial retainers are commonly required by law firms before they will provide legal services. Where a financial retainer is provided, the retainer is held in trust on behalf of the client. These trust monies are insured by the Law Society of Alberta such that if there is defalcation by the law firm, the client will have a claim against a fund especially set up to protect clients against such harm.

A lawyer is not entitled to use trust funds for payment unless and until legal services are rendered and an account is issued. Hence, when providing a financial retainer you are protected.

Opening A File

Upon receipt of the client information and financial retainer a file will be opened and Caron & Partners LLP will be in a position to provide the requested services. The initial online financial retainer will be $250.00 CND. After a file has been opened you will be contacted by a lawyer or legal assistant within 1 business day.