$5600 Lawyer Retainer Fee?
 

With what kind of budget would warrant a 5600 retainer fee?

Im working with approximately 55k as it stands. But my budget shouldn't matter should it?

Is that standard for an adult company?

I know a mainstream lawyer retainer fee is approximately 1000. Maybe 5000+ for a big commercial type.

There's no way I am considered that.

Sounds like you guys aren't on the same page re: your needs or his services. He also could be so busy that this is his way of saying maybe vs no.

dont know what the case is, but high end law firms charge tens of thousands of dollars as a retainer.

Well I decided to give http://adultlaw.ca/ a shout.

Maybe it's overkill as I am starting something up small-medium right now and plan on growing.

That's what I am thinking. I meet with him tomorrow. Im not sure if he knows what type of budget I am working with yet or what is going on.

I just wanted to get an idea for the norm for something I am doing.

I am comfortable paying something like that, just not if I am overpaying.

I highly doubt out of the whole firm, there isn't a lawyer that can't deal with small-medium adult businesses. And asking 10s of thousands of dollars for a retainer is a bit ridiculous. They wouldn't throw away that much business. Maybe I just talked to one of their overqualified lawyers.

If you are looking for a good constitutional law attorney, the fee is about right in my experiences. Remember, an obscenity prosecution can cost $100K or more.

That's cheap... most good attorneys require $15k or more

Ok thanks for your all your guys input. Appreciated

nigga i paid more than $5k to retain a lawyer for some stupid gross misdemeanor charges not even related to porn or anything for that matter. you're getting off CHEAP at $5k, even if you are in canada. are you in any sort of trouble, controversy, or whats the deal

A retainer should cover basically what amount of work that firm expects to do for you in the near term. If you are on the verge of litigation, then $5k would be too low, and you should expect more like $40k. If you just want some documents done right, then more like $1k would be common. So, whether that is overcharging or not, depends on how much work you will be having the firm do in the next three months to a year. Figure that an hour of an attorney's time will run probably $200 to $600, depending on the lawyer and what he or she is doing for you. Think about how many hours you will likely need, not counting initial consultation.

Well honestly. I don't see much in regards to business needed right away.

In my first year, it's only a few solo girl websites. I just wanted a couple model contracts, some terms written up for my few investors. The structure of my business at the start.

It's the very beginning stages. But it's mainly for security for my investors and models agreements.

It doesn't seem to be far off, I do know this

As mentioned they are just quoting what they think they may use up in the first 90 days. Still the question of being over charged or not should be strong. You also mentioned that perhaps you think your talking to a more qualified and thus higher charging guy at the firm - typically everyone at the firm bills out at the same rate so that is rarely the case.
Very curious about one aspect though. You mentioned setting up solo sites and getting stuff for your investors. Both things you spoke of are contract issues. If you do not need to get adult law protection, 1st amendment checking, or that sort of stuff you very well may be talking to the wrong type of lawyers anyways. I have used many law firms and only an adult firm once. There are so many instances where a adult lawyer is overkill for what you need, even if you are in the adult business.

sound fucked up

Yeah I believe you may be correct. I just figured writing up contracts with models might be something I would want to do with a lawyer that specialized in adult entertainment. Except if they are going to ask for a retainer in that range. Im not quite sure if it's worth it. Obviously Ill have no problem when I am looking for protection but I am mainly looking for the structuring the business and contracts.

Go tell you're lawyer to eat shit and die.
I would never pay that.
Duke

But a retainer has nothing to do with that.
It depends what the retainer covers, and that is sort of like (adult 101). By the second year you know all about how to file records, your release forms etc, the retainer goes up a tad, and what he offers you doesn't. It now falls under billable hours. So you pay 5k for nothing, and everything he does for you, phone calls, a letter to Peter A. Pirate etc, is billable at 200+ an hour. It's all bullshit and these guys bend you over a barrel. You can do just as well with a regular business attorney.
Duke

The retainer is to make sure they are obligated to show up and try to bail out your ass when you only get one phone call.

he reads this board so not sure you should be posting this :)
Besides he can and has gotten people out of deep shit before....good lawyers cost that must.

Mine is 3k, so to me 5 does not sound like that much to be honest.

Oh I know he does. I was recommended to him by many. I know he's great and does a good job or I wouldn't have went to him. All im trying to do is get an idea of whether or not this is overkill.

I am far from the stages of needing a lawyer to bail me out of jail or anything else. This is the paperwork, the launch isn't for a while. So to ask for 5600, seems a bit steep.

Im not saying he's overcharging, I know he doesn't know what stage I am yet. So he might be playing it safe. I just would like to know yours guys input prior because if all I need is a business attorney, then I will go with that. When I need further stuff done, I will be going to him.

3k sounds more reasonable. You know all im looking for is for him to setup my business, give me a few model release forms, and tell me the best ways to protect my investors/self

Now tell me you were looking for less than that.

I really hope this thread doesn't bad on them @ adultlaw. By all means am I not saying anything bad about them or they are overcharging. Simply educating myself. As it's the weekend. I wasn't able to get ahold of them prior to my meeting and I have to run numbers by my partners and they looked at that number and said. huh. which i agreed with. with what I was seeking.

I will be doing work with them regardless in the future! Just to clear the air.

Do you need a guy in Canada or can he be in the USA?

Jeffrey Douglas in Santa Monica should be considered if you can use a USA lawyer. :2 cents:

That quotation is about right. That's very close to the figure that another well-known adult attorney quoted me when I first started out.

Didn't have to use him yet, but it's a small investment in ensuring the stability of your business dealings.

Good explanation, thanks!

I guess no one likes an attorney until you need one.
Kind of like an atheist in a fox hole.
Duke