[Political Junkie Too]

Cohen could have been on a retainer for years...and he probably was.

Of course. However, President Trump would say that he was replenishing each retainer for future work, not paying the retainer for completed work.

The latter would violate the meaning of the word "retain." The purpose of a retainer is to retain the services of the lawyer so that he's not available for potential conflicting clients. The retainer is held in escrow until the lawyer bills the client for completed work. Once the retainer is exhausted, the client can replenish the retainer or terminate the relationship with the lawyer.

-PJ

[desertsolitaire]

“Cohen could have been on a retainer for years...and he probably was.
Of course. However, President Trump would say that he was replenishing each retainer for future work, not paying the retainer for completed work.”

Would President Trump have to take the stand to get that point distinction across to the jury (as I am reading here he is not advised to testify himself)?

[Sacajaweau]

An attorney is a “service”. That’s what this retainer bit is about.