Dowling v. Chicago Options Associates, Inc.

I disagree with the majority’s determination that the funds held by Piper Rudnick belonged to Mr. Davis and were subject to a turnover order. The majority overlooks the role of the “retainer” in the relationship of the attorney and client.

A “retainer” is defined as both “[a] client’s authorization for a lawyer to act in a case” and a “fee paid to a lawyer to secure legal representation.” Black’s Law Dictionary 1317 (7th ed. 1999). “A retainer is the act of a client employing an attorney; it also denotes the fee paid by the client when he retains the attorney to act for him.” Carter & Grimsley…