Ongoing Business Counsel on a Monthly Retainer

This page explains how a monthly legal retainer for small business Miami-Dade owners use works with KEW Legal. A retainer keeps a business lawyer on hand for everyday questions. You don’t start from zero each time a problem comes up.

What a Monthly Legal Retainer Is and Who It Fits

A monthly legal retainer is an ongoing engagement. The business keeps one firm as its outside general counsel instead of hiring a lawyer one matter at a time.

Outside general counsel is a business lawyer who learns how your company runs. That means your contracts, your lease, your staff and your owners. The lawyer is available when issues come up.

This arrangement tends to fit businesses that deal with:

• Recurring vendor, supplier or service agreements
• Employees and the questions that come with them
• A commercial lease with renewal dates and notices
• Two or more co-owners who share decisions
• A sale, purchase or succession plan on the horizon
• Investment property, including owners who live abroad

KEW Legal serves business owners and investors across Miami-Dade, Broward County and South Florida. The firm has offices in Coral Gables and Sunny Isles Beach. Kristina E. Wilson is the responsible lawyer for this page.

What the Retainer Covers

Ongoing counsel covers the everyday legal questions a business faces. It also covers the ownership and property questions that build up over time.

• Vendor and contract disputes. The firm reviews and drafts vendor, supplier and service agreements. It also helps when a vendor relationship breaks down. Florida generally requires a signed record for a contract to sell goods priced at $500 or more, with some exceptions (Fla. Stat. § 672.201).
• Commercial leases. Florida’s chapter 83 covers nonresidential tenancies, so lease questions for tenants and landlords fall under it (Fla. Stat. § 83.001).
• Commercial evictions. A landlord recovers possession only through a court action, after the tenant surrenders the space, or after the tenant abandons it (Fla. Stat. § 83.05). Changing the locks is not on that list.
• Employment questions.
• Partners and co-owners. Each partner has equal rights in managing a partnership. Ordinary decisions can be made by a majority. Acts outside the ordinary course, or changes to the partnership agreement, need every partner’s consent (Fla. Stat. § 620.8401).
• Ownership changes. The firm helps with buying, selling and succeeding a business.

The written engagement agreement defines which matters fall inside the monthly scope. The scope of the engagement is set out in a written agreement before work begins.

How the Retainer Works, Step by Step

The engagement starts with a free first consultation, then a written agreement, then ongoing access to the firm. The first consultation is free, confidential and carries no obligation to continue.

1. Consultation. You describe your business and the questions you have.
2. Document review. The firm looks at your key contracts, lease, ownership papers and staffing questions.
3. Written agreement. The engagement agreement sets the services included, how extra matters are handled, and how the arrangement begins and ends.
4. Ongoing access. You contact the responsible lawyer and the firm as issues come up during the month.
5. Regular check-ins. Open matters and upcoming dates get reviewed, such as lease renewals, contract terms and employee issues.

Timing depends on how much paperwork you have and how many matters are open.

Why KEW Legal for Ongoing Business Counsel

KEW Legal is a Florida business law firm that acts as outside general counsel for business owners and investors across Miami-Dade and South Florida. The firm focuses on:

• Partnership disputes
• Business contract and vendor disputes
• Employment law for employers
• Business acquisition and sale
• Business succession planning
• Commercial leases and commercial evictions
• Real estate investment and investment property

The firm’s lawyers include Kristina E. Wilson and Natalie Martinez. Office staff and assistants support them. The firm has offices in Coral Gables and Sunny Isles Beach. It works with business clients in Miami, Brickell, Doral, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale and Broward County.

Common Questions Business Owners Ask Before Signing

A retainer covers ongoing business counsel. Larger matters are scoped in writing before work begins.

What to Bring to Your First Consultation

Bring your key documents and a short list of questions. The length of the review may vary depending on the matter.

• Current vendor, supplier and service agreements
• Your commercial lease or leases, with renewal dates and any notices received
• Employee questions, plus any handbook or employment agreements you use
• Your operating agreement, partnership agreement or shareholder agreement
• A short summary of any disagreement among owners
• Your questions, ranked by urgency

Conversations with the firm about your business are generally confidential under Florida’s lawyer-client privilege (Fla. Stat. § 90.502).

Talk to KEW Legal About a Retainer for Your Business

If vendor disagreements, a lease that needs attention or co-owners who can’t agree are taking your time, don’t wait for the next problem. Schedule your first consultation at kewlegal.com/contact-us, call 305-990-2300, or send a message through the same page.