Having worked in the legal trades for more than 30 years I have all kinds of experience with what constitutes a legal retainer and how attorney/client privilege works, as well as what a conflict of interest is.
You, on the other hand, seem particularly clueless in all regards
No, a legal retainer is definitely not required for any attorney-client privilege.
If that is your belief, you are or were a sorry, sorry employee. Just sayin'.
Moreover, why does it make any difference to you? You've never watched Sean Hannity's show and you've never believed anything he says anyway.