What membership includes.
A Retained membership is a legal department on a flat monthly fee. It runs in two directions at once: counsel available whenever something comes up, and the Legal Operating System moving through the legal surfaces of the business each month. Both are the same membership; neither is an add-on. This page sets out what sits inside the fee, where a separate engagement begins, and how leaving works.
The flat fee covers
- Unlimited calls and email with counsel
- Contract review and drafting
- Demand letters, sent and received
- Negotiations and pre-suit work
- Employment questions and personnel matters
- Board and governance support
- Threat assessment when trouble first appears
- The monthly module work of the Legal Operating System
Commencement events
A separate engagement begins only when one of these occurs:
- A complaint, arbitration demand, or administrative charge is filed or served.
- The company decides in writing to initiate litigation.
- A formal mediator is engaged or a tolling agreement is entered.
- An LOI, term sheet, or purchase agreement is executed.
- A subpoena, civil investigative demand, audit notice, or formal investigation letter is received.
One line, drawn in advance.
Everything before a commencement event is membership work. The demand letter, the negotiation, the strategy conversation on a Friday night. None of it starts a meter, because there is no meter.
When a commencement event occurs, the separate engagement is scoped and priced in writing before work begins. The company approves the scope before anything is billed, so there is no drift and no surprise invoice.
Membership never terminates automatically because a matter opens. The department keeps running while the matter is handled.
Leaving is simple.
Either party may terminate on 60 days written notice. No penalties, no unwind fees. The 60 days exist so open work can be finished properly. The work product built during membership belongs to the company and stays with the company.
480-788-5101
counsel@retainedfirm.com
New clients may book a scoping call or simply write. Members reach their counsel directly.