Ransom Money ...

I would like to no longer refer to retainer fees as retainer fees ... we will now be calling retainers what they really are ... Ransom.

You have hired a lawyer, and now before they will even think about doing work for you, you must give them a sum of money of their choosing to be disbursed to them at their will, and without dispute from you. Isn't this what criminals do when they have something you want, they demand unreasonable sums of money in exchange for it with little or no regard as to its effect on you and your well being? In fact, isn't it usually an amount that is very detrimental to you and your well being. Isn't that illegal?

If this (extortion, ransom, well ok retainer - pick your own word here)is illegal when criminals do it then why is it ok for lawyers to do it? Why is it ok to suppress your financial security, nest egg, and fiscal ability when you need it the most to re-establish your life?

How come it is legal for lawyers to do what is illegal for everyone else to do? Anyone?

C.