Brian Kessler Jr., age 13, of Patterson, N.J., for his question:

WHAT IS A LEGAL RETAINER?

A legal retainer is a formal agreement between a lawyer and a client in which the lawyer agrees to take the client's case. This type of agreement is called a special retainer.

There is also a general retainer, in which the lawyer agrees to act for the client whenever his services are needed. When a client retains a lawyer, he usually pays him a retaining fee, which may also be called a retainer.

After a lawyer has accepted a retaining fee he is legally bound to represent his client in the case. He cannot take a retaining fee from the other party to the case.

A lawyer who accepts a general retainer cannot perform services for anyone else that would be against the best interests of his client.

It's not a legal retainer, but there is also a retainer in the world of dentistry. A retainer here is a device for holding the teeth in position. It is used in orthodontic corrections.