An Ohio Retainer Agreement is a legal contract that outlines the terms and conditions between a client and an attorney. It serves as a written agreement to hire the attorney's services and establishes the scope of work, responsibilities, and fees involved in a legal representation. A retainer fee is the amount paid upfront by the client to secure the attorney's services and ensure their availability for the duration of the case. In Ohio, there are different types of retainer agreements that can be tailored to specific legal needs: 1. General Retainer Agreement: This type of agreement is commonly used for ongoing legal representation and covers a broad range of legal services. 2. Limited Scope Retainer Agreement: This agreement defines the specific tasks or issues for which the attorney will provide legal services, instead of handling the entire case. 3. Flat Fee Retainer Agreement: A flat fee agreement establishes a fixed amount of compensation for the attorney's services, regardless of the time spent on the case. 4. Hourly Retainer Agreement: This type of retainer agreement is based on an hourly rate, where the client is billed for the actual time spent by the attorney working on the case. 5. Contingency Fee Retainer Agreement: In certain cases, attorneys may work on a contingency basis, meaning they only receive payment if they successfully obtain compensation for their client. In such cases, the agreement will outline the percentage of the financial recovery that the attorney will be entitled to. Ohio Retainer Agreements are designed to clarify the attorney-client relationship, establish a clear fee structure, outline the obligations of both parties, and protect the rights of both the client and the attorney. It is essential for clients to carefully review and understand the terms of the agreement before signing to ensure they are comfortable with the arrangement and the level of legal representation being offered.