Lawyer's fee
I believe the answer is:
retainer
'lawyer's fee' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for retainer that I've seen before include "The keeper" , "A money deposit or an old servant" , "Fee; long-term servant" , "Household servant (often faithful and old!)" , "Old servant - preliminary fee" .)