Retain
Re`tain´ Pronunciation: rė`tān´
TO RETAIN, practice. To engage the services of an attorney or counsellor to
manage a cause, at which time it is usual to give him a fee, called the
retaining fee. The act by which the attorney is authorized to act in the
case is called a retainer.
2. Although it is not indispensable that the retainer should be in
writing, unless required by the other side, it is very expedient. It is
therefore recommended, particularly when the client is a stranger, to
require from him a written retainer, signed by himself; and, in order to
avoid the insinuation that it was obtained by contrivance, it should be
witnessed by one or more respectable persons. When there are several
plaintiffs, it should be signed by all and not by one for himself and the
others, especially if they are trustees or assignees of a bankrupt or
insolvent. The retainer should also state whether it be given for a general
or a qualified authority. Vide the form of a retainer in 3 Chit. Pr. 116,
note m.
3. There is an implied contract on the part of an attorney who has been
retained, that he will use due diligence in the course of legal proceedings,
but it is not an undertaking to recover a judgment. Wright, R. 446. An
attorney is bound to act with the most scrupulous honor, he ought to
disclose to his client if he has any adverse retainer which may affect his
judgment, or his client's interest; but the concealment of the fact does not
necessarily imply fraud. 3 Mason's R. 305; 2 Greenl. Ev. Sec. 139.
absorb,
balance,
ballast,
bear in mind,
bespeak,
book,
bottle up,
brief,
brood over,
cherish,
cite,
commission,
conserve,
contain,
cork up,
counterbalance,
detain,
dwell on,
dwell upon,
engage,
enjoy,
extend,
fan the embers,
firm,
firm up,
freeze,
hang on to,
have in mind,
hold back,
hold in,
hold in mind,
hold on to,
husband,
immobilize,
inhibit,
keep alive,
keep back,
keep by one,
keep going,
keep in,
keep in memory,
keep in mind,
keep in reserve,
keep in store,
keep in view,
keep on hand,
keep out,
keep up,
lay by,
lengthen,
lock in,
maintain,
memorize,
mind,
nail down,
own,
perpetuate,
pin down,
possess,
preengage,
preserve,
prolong,
protract,
put apart,
put aside,
put by,
recollect,
recruit,
remind,
reminisce,
repress,
reserve,
retrospect,
revive,
save,
save up,
set apart,
set aside,
set by,
sign on,
sign up,
sign up for,
soak up,
stabilitate,
stabilize,
steady,
stick,
suppress,
sustain,
take into employment,
take on,
transfix,
treasure,
withhold