[phasetransition]

Most smaller firms will require a retainer. $5k is fairly common. I've been able to work with several large firms for work, and several smaller firms for personal stuff.

Personally, I much prefer the larger firms. In general their work product, responsiveness, and timeliness is well ahead of small firms. They aren't even that much more expensive for some things. Unfortunately I don't know what the retainer $$ would be, if any, for a larger firm.

[phendrenad2]

Sigh. 5k is three months rent for many people. It's not surprising that we don't see more bootstrapped startups from underprivileged people.

[chii]

> bootstrapped startups from underprivileged people.

i dont think startups should be paying a retainer. You do this only after it's worth the money - ala, you either know your domain is a gray area and is definitely going to require a lawyer.

This has nothing to do with underprivileged people or not.

[JohnFen]

This might depend on where you are. In my area, it's unusual to have to provide a retainer at all unless you're doing something big or the lawyer suspects you might have trouble paying your bill later.

[phasetransition]

In my personal experience with small firms closed ended matters like wills, contracts, or individual IP filings don't require a retainer.

Open ended matters, like probate, starting an IP portfolio, or response to a C&D trigger a retainer.