When you defer client fees, you extend credit. RetainerLogic gives you the credit data every other lender uses—so you can structure retainers with confidence, not guesswork.
No charges during trial · 5 free evaluations · Soft pull only
Credit bureaus refuse to provide credit reports to law firms—not because it's prohibited by law, but simply because it's been their practice. The result: firms making lending decisions blind.
Credit bureaus don't serve law firms directly. This isn't law—it's bureau policy that leaves you without data.
Without credit data, firms rely on appearances, employment status, and instinct—the way banks operated in 1950.
The retainer clears, but the deferred balance becomes a chronic receivables problem—or worse, a write-off.
There's a common misconception that law firms can't use credit data. Here's what the rules actually say:
FCRA § 604(a)(3)(A)
"A consumer reporting agency may furnish a consumer report... to a person which it has reason to believe intends to use the information in connection with a credit transaction involving the consumer."
What's prohibited: Using credit to determine whether to represent a client or to set the fee amount itself.
What's permitted: Using credit to determine how much of an agreed-upon fee can be deferred as credit.
The distinction matters. You're not charging clients differently based on credit. You're deciding how much credit to extend—exactly what every lender does.
Read Full Legal Analysis →Through our bureau relationship under FCRA, we provide the credit evaluation you need to make informed lending decisions.
Client signs our FCRA-compliant consent form—we provide the template. Takes 30 seconds.
Enter basic identifying details through our secure portal. We run a soft credit inquiry that won't affect their score.
Get a risk category and recommended retainer/deferred ratio within seconds. Documentation included.
You don't see your client's full credit history—just the actionable data you need to make an informed decision.
Score band indicating payment reliability
Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor, or Very Poor
Suggested retainer/deferred percentage
Audit trail for your client file
A real evaluation returns a risk score range, recommended retainer split, and key credit indicators — everything you need to structure payment terms with confidence.
Sample evaluation using anonymized data. Actual results include downloadable PDF report.
Identify high-risk clients before you extend credit. Require appropriate retainers based on data, not guesswork.
Confidently offer payment terms to creditworthy clients you might have turned away with one-size-fits-all retainer requirements.
Replace subjective judgment with objective data. Every evaluation creates documentation for your files.
Soft pull credit evaluation completes instantly. No waiting, no delay in your client intake process.
Run real client evaluations and get credit data in 60 seconds. No charges during trial.