Pro tip: always get a retainer fee for discovery work

Last week a new client in Chicago asked me to review their vendor contracts before signing. I spent 4 hours digging through 3 agreements, found 2 major liability gaps. They ghosted me after I sent the notes, no payment. Now I charge a $500 retainer before any document review, no exceptions. Any other agency lawyers here get burned on free discovery work?

3 comments

3 Comments

joelh641mo ago

Dude I feel that. Had a client stiff me on a phone consultation once. Never again.

nancygrant1mo ago

Oh @charlie_ellis, you mean I shouldn't have given my neighbor free legal advice at 9pm on a Tuesday? Learned that lesson too. Had someone hit me up on Facebook messenger for "five minutes" of tax help and three hours later I was still walking them through deductions. Now I just say "sorry, my brain's not working today" even when it is. People don't respect the line until you draw it with permanent marker.

charlie_ellis1mo ago

Dude I feel that" hits hard. People will absolutely take your time for granted if you let them. I see it everywhere now, not just in business - neighbors wanting free advice on home repairs, friends asking for "just a quick look" at their resume. Good on you for setting that boundary, it's the only way people learn.

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