Q: Can a non-attorney sign the retainer agreement on behalf of the attorney?

I received the signed retainer but noticed it was not the attorney who I hired signature on the document. This person is not located on the calbar.org website, so I am thinking this person is not an attorney. Is the retainer binding and valid?

A: If the contract is between you and the attorney for legal work, then the attorney must sign the retainer agreement. If the retainer agreement lists one person on the retainer and someone other than an attorney signed the agreement but is not an attorney then the retainer agreement is not valid.

* You and I do not have an attorney-client relationship formed by our communications on this website. Advice given by me on this website is general advice based on partial information. You should not rely on any advice given without first hiring a lawyer in the area where the case is pending, and providing that lawyer with full information.

Answered by Candace E. Kallen, Mesa Bankruptcy Attorney.
Re-Posted from AVVO Legal Questions and Answers.