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What steps can I make to position myself as an investigator for a law firm with my different skill set?

Veteran

Christopher Nickerson Hughesville, MD

I am interested in expanding my lanes of the career highway to enter the private sector, and to use the experience, education, and knowledge I have acquired to go beyond the norm of DOD positions that many military members pursue. I enjoy law (did not pursue a JD, that is another conversation) and investigations. I have seen private sector vacancies with law firms looking to hire investigators in their firm (who do not have a JD) and requesting assistance in positioning myself for this unique opportunity.

I am open for any guidance or advice out there.

Thanks

- Christopher

7 August 2017 3 replies Career Exploration

Answers

Advisor

Anna Jacobs Cupertino, CA

Hi Christopher
Your question is in the wheelhouse of a colleague of mine. I asked him to respond. Hope it helps. BTW thanks for your service.

Hi. My name is Rick. I was a licensed CA PI for ~22 years, and my market focus was working for law firms and related parties; e.g. gov't risk management entities, insurance companies, etc. So, I was not in-house for any 1 law firm.

I'd 1st think about the type of inv work you want to do. I think that the most common need would be for plaintiff P.i. Your caseload would be mostly auto vs. auto, but possibly also employment misconduct and some product liability. I see 2 major constraints: 1st: an attorney can't share a contingent fee w/ a non-Bar member, so it's dicey to figure out a way to bonus you; 2nd: B/c this work is 99% contingent fee, a plaintiff PI is often cash-poor; the gold is in future settlements. So, you'd probably get a base that's far below your current equivalent. A possible additional hazard is their expecting you to "cap" cases. That's unethical. I pass no value judgment, I just want to alert you that it's out there.

A 2nd basic market is doing criminal defense work for a law firm. That involves a lot of locate-phone interview-face interview-and report writing. I don't look down on this. Certain cases require significant soft skills, understanding of search-seizure, the evidence code. etc. But, like PI, the routine stuff can be mundane.

I am 16 years past this career, so almost none of my work benefited from "the web." If you want to e-mail me, my personal address is 7rickgreene@gmail.com. Good luck to you. Keep hold of your integrity.

Rick

9 August 2017 Helpful answer

Advisor

John Green Cary, NC

What may help other readers of your question is a broader explanation of what you are trying to do. Legal investigators work for law firms by helping attorneys get their cases and evidence ready for trial. These investigators analyze case law, evidence and discovery materials to find information that will help their firm win a case. To be an investigator, you must not only be skilled at finding and analyzing information, but you must also understand relevant statutory and case law along with the rules for preserving evidence so it's admissible at trial.

The work done by the legal investigator in preparing a case for trial is indispensable to the competent and successful trial attorney, as evidenced by the fact that most law firms of any size throughout the country employ one or more legal investigators, either as staff employees or as independent investigators on a contract basis.

You aren't required to have a private investigator license in order to work as a legal investigator for a law firm, but it will help. Having the license will help show the firms you contact that you understand investigative procedure and that you have the skills to analyze information to see if it is relevant to a case. The exact requirements for getting a PI license vary from state to state, but most require either completing a private investigation program or graduating with a related associate's or bachelor's degree. You'll also have to pass a background check and submit fingerprints to get a PI license.

The National Association of Legal Investigators offers the only recognized legal investigator certification. However, you'll need to already be an active legal investigator before you can get this certification. The requirements include being employed by a law firm or investigative agency, five years of full-time legal investigation experience, passing a Certified Legal Investigator (CLI) examination and paying a $200 fee. You'll also have to write an approved CLI research paper.

http://nalionline.org/

Membership in this Association is restricted to active members, active international members, retired members, associate members, and professional affiliate members.

8 August 2017 Helpful answer

Veteran

Christopher Nickerson Hughesville, MD

Hello John -

Thank you for the thorough information. My objective is to work for a law firm as their legal investigator. I will take the advice you provided to refine my skill set, education, and focus. I have started gathering information off the website you added, it is extremely valuable.

Thanks again

////////////////////

Hello Anna and Rick,,

Anna thank you reaching out and the E-intro with Rick.

Rick, thank you for your guidance and input. As I stated to John my overall goal is to work directly for a law firm as a legal investigator. I am not interested in straight PI work, although getting a private investigator license is the short term focus. I will reach out to you at your email.

Thanks

- Christopher

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