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Legal Retainer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

WME Group

Legal Counsel

New York, NY

$150K/yr

Strategic Partnerships & Retainer-Based Deals: Lead legal support for high-value, long-term commercial relationships, including innovative brand partnerships, product placement, retainer engagements ...

WME Group

Legal Counsel

New York, NY · On-site

$150K/yr

Strategic Partnerships & Retainer-Based Deals: Lead legal support for high-value, long-term commercial relationships, including innovative brand partnerships, product placement, retainer engagements ...

Wmeimg

Legal Counsel

New York, NY

$150K/yr

Strategic Partnerships & Retainer-Based Deals: Lead legal support for high-value, long-term commercial relationships, including innovative brand partnerships, product placement, retainer engagements ...

Germer

Legal Secretary

Austin, TX · On-site

$43K - $59K/yr

Contact clients for retainer payments and/or AR payments; and * Performing other duties as assigned by team members. Qualifications and Skills: * Minimum of 3-5 years substantive legal secretarial ...

Germer PLLC

Legal Secretary

Austin, TX · On-site

$43K - $59K/yr

Contact clients for retainer payments and/or AR payments; and * Performing other duties as assigned by team members. Qualifications and Skills: * Minimum of 3-5 years substantive legal secretarial ...

Grant-Shannon

Legal Billing Specialist

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$55K - $70K/yr

... trust/retainer account activity, including deposits and disbursements * Respond to billing ... Strong understanding of legal billing processes, including e-billing * Proficiency in Microsoft ...

benchmark

Legal Coordinator

Waltham, MA · On-site

$50K - $66K/yr

Maintains retainer agreements and current listing of all outside counsel. * Makes meeting arrangements for members of the Legal Department with outside counsel, vendors, and/or multi-department ...

Benchmark Electronics, Inc.

Legal Coordinator

Waltham, MA · On-site

$100K - $125K/yr

Maintains retainer agreements and current listing of all outside counsel. * Makes meeting arrangements for members of the Legal Department with outside counsel, vendors, and/or multi-department ...

Weiner Law

Legal Billing Manager

San Diego, CA · On-site

$110K/yr

You will have the opportunity to work with attorneys to revise, process, and issue accurate monthly bills and ensure retainer balances are always sufficient. Consistent follow-up is required in this ...

Viatris

Legal Finance Manager

Canonsburg, PA · On-site

Track fixed fee (retainer) payments to make sure that receipt through payment are within the schedule. * Manage the legal budget and provide regular updates and tracking items that affect the budget ...

Viatris

Legal Finance Manager

Canonsburg, PA · On-site +1

Track fixed fee (retainer) payments to make sure that receipt through payment are within the schedule. * Manage the legal budget and provide regular updates and tracking items that affect the budget ...

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All JobsLegal Retainer Jobs

Legal Retainer information

See salary details

$36.5K

$87.8K

$134.5K

How much do legal retainer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for legal retainer in the United States is $87,763.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,500.00 and $101,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Do lawyers on retainer get paid?

Lawyers on retainer typically receive a fee paid upfront or periodically to ensure their availability for legal services. The retainer fee may cover ongoing consultations, advice, or specific tasks, and additional charges may apply for work beyond the retainer agreement. Payment structures vary based on the agreement between the lawyer and client.

Is $900 an hour a lot for a lawyer?

A legal retainer fee of $900 an hour is considered high and typically applies to experienced or specialized attorneys in complex or high-stakes cases. Most lawyers charge between $150 and $500 per hour, so rates above $700 are generally for top-tier or highly specialized legal professionals.

What is the difference between Legal Retainer vs Paralegal?

AspectLegal RetainerParalegal
CredentialsLaw degree, licensed attorneyParalegal certificate or associate degree
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, corporate legal departmentsLaw firms, legal departments, courts
Role & ResponsibilitiesLegal advice, representation, legal strategyLegal research, document preparation, case support

Legal retainers involve licensed attorneys providing ongoing legal services under a retainer agreement, while paralegals support attorneys with research and document tasks. The main difference lies in credentials, scope of work, and legal authority. Legal retainers are essential for legal advice and representation, whereas paralegals assist with preparatory legal work, making each role distinct in the legal industry.

What is a legal retainer?

A legal retainer is a fee paid in advance to a lawyer or law firm to secure their services and ensure their availability for legal advice or representation. The retainer acts as a down payment for future legal work and may be replenished as the lawyer bills against it. Retainer agreements outline the scope of work, payment terms, and other client-lawyer expectations. They provide clients with priority access to legal counsel and help lawyers manage their workload and resources.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Legal Retainer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a legal retainer (a lawyer engaged on retainer), you need a law degree, bar admission, and expertise in relevant legal practice areas. Familiarity with legal research databases, case management software, and e-discovery tools is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, client communication, and negotiation skills help build trust and deliver effective legal counsel. These skills ensure the lawyer can provide timely, reliable advice and representation, maintaining long-term client relationships and legal compliance.

How to make $500,000 a year as a lawyer?

To earn $500,000 annually as a lawyer, one typically needs to specialize in high-demand areas such as corporate law, intellectual property, or trial law, and work at large law firms or establish a successful private practice. Building a strong reputation, gaining experience, and developing a network of high-net-worth clients are essential for reaching this income level.

What does a $10,000 retainer mean?

A $10,000 retainer for a legal retainer is an upfront fee paid to a lawyer or law firm to secure their services and cover initial costs. It typically acts as a deposit against future legal fees and may be replenished as work progresses, depending on the agreement terms.

What are the typical responsibilities and expectations for a Legal Retainer on an ongoing basis?

As a Legal Retainer, you are expected to provide consistent legal advice and support to your client or organization over an agreed period. This often involves tasks such as reviewing contracts, handling compliance matters, advising on legal risks, and being available for urgent consultations. The workload can vary depending on the client’s needs, but you’ll typically collaborate closely with internal teams or external stakeholders to proactively address legal issues. Maintaining clear communication and responsiveness is crucial, as clients rely on you to handle both routine and unexpected legal matters efficiently.
More about Legal Retainer jobs
What job categories do people searching Legal Retainer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Legal Retainer jobs are:
Legal Retainer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Legal Retainer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,763 per year, or $42.2 per hour.
Commercial Corporate Legal Assistant

Commercial Corporate Legal Assistant

Boutique Recruiting

Dallas, TX • On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

Position Title: Commercial Corporate Legal Assistant
This role offers an opportunity to support a dynamic and high-energy attorney within a collaborative legal environment. The position involves working closely with senior partners, managing administrative tasks, and ensuring that attorneys are well-prepared for their engagements. Candidates who excel in a fast-paced setting and possess a proactive attitude will find this role fulfilling. The firm values effective communication and teamwork, making it essential for candidates to adapt to various personalities within the office.
The Commercial Corporate Legal Assistant provides administrative and legal support to three attorneys, including the Corporate section leader. This position requires exceptional organization, proactive calendar management and the ability to anticipate attorney needs while supporting a fast-paced corporate legal practice.
Salary Range: $80,000 - $90,000 / Year DOE
Responsibilities:
  • Support a lead attorney and two partners in a high-energy environment
  • Manage and update legal documents and retainer agreements
  • Handle calendar management and ensure attorneys are prepared for meetings
  • Maintain high attention to detail in administrative tasks
  • Understand federal guidelines and court systems
  • Perform revisions and assist with billable tasks as needed
  • Collaborate with team members in a respectful and engaging atmosphere

Requirements:
  • Experience in commercial or corporate litigation, particularly in mergers and acquisitions
  • Minimum of 3 years as a corporate or finance legal assistant
  • A BA degree is not required
  • Experience with federal and state filing processes is preferred

Benefits:
  • Comprehensive healthcare plans with 98% coverage for employee-only rates
  • Dental and vision insurance
  • Parking expenses covered
  • Accidental death and long-term disability insurance
  • 401k plan with matching contributions
  • 144 hours of paid time off in the first five years

If you are a Commercial Corporate Legal Assistant looking to take the next step in your career, apply now!
Boutique Recruiting logo

About Boutique Recruiting

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

We are a team with shared goals; mindfully placing candidates in the workforce to successfully fulfill their career ambitions while encouraging a sense of purpose and value. We have created a new kind of placement firm — one that values connection, personalization, commitment, impact, boldness and achievement. At Boutique Recruiting, our clients, candidates and employees are at the heart of our success.

Industry

Recruiting and staffing services

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

San Diego, CA, US

Year founded

2014

Social media

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