Attorneys: You Can Win More Cases if You Take the Time to Develop a Strong Relationship with a Good Private Investigator

There is an interesting phenomenon that I have observed after more than three decades of experience working for trial attorneys. The better ones regularly utilize a private investigator with whom they have developed a solid relationship. Many have previously gone through several investigators before settling on one that helps them win with consistency. I have also found that many attorneys never take the time to develop this relationship, and therefore they are not representing their clients as effectively as they should. The search for a competent, experienced investigator should be a priority within your practice area.

If you meet with a prospective investigator and find that he or she doesn’t have much personality or ability to communicate effectively, then move on because your witnesses will pick up on that as well and will be less likely to give the investigator their time, much less a statement. Don’t delegate the task of finding an investigator to your secretary, legal assistant or paralegal. You should look at the task as team building that requires your active participation.

I recall working for famed criminal defense appellate attorney and law professor Alan Dershowitz early in my career. He made it a priority to take time to hear from me late in the afternoon each day as I was out of town attempting to locate and interview a key prosecution witness. The witness had been a Contra leader’s bodyguard in Nicaragua and a drug informant. Professor Dershowitz picked up the phone at his office at Harvard Law School and was actively engaged in the investigation’s progress. He listened to what I had to say and my assessment whether this witness would cooperate. Just as important, he provided direction and suggestions. We acted as a team. This relationship was important, and it was also inspiring for a young investigator. I recall, about the same time, working for a young attorney three years out of law school who would rarely return my calls for case updates. The difference between the attorneys was striking and drives homes the theme of this article. Take the time to build your team: the best investigators should be valued as contributing members helping to build your case whether criminal or civil. Let them help, let them give you new ideas and allow you to benefit from their years of experience; it will pay dividends.

PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE

I prepared this article to bring attention to what often is an afterthought for attorneys. You may not realize it but the process of retaining a private investigator to handle litigation support investigations for your civil and criminal cases is similar to the process of retaining an attorney. The prospective client (attorney) must do his/her due diligence. Not all investigators are created equal, just as all attorneys are not equal in terms of ability, experience, practice areas and professionalism.

My related article, Top Ten Tips to Retain a Private Investigator can help you with this due diligence. Feel free to share with your colleagues.

Your choice of an investigator is not lost on your clients who may interact with him or her on a case. That investigator reflects you as a professional, so it is important to make the right choice. He or she is an extension of your office and therefore their level of professionalism affects your reputation as well as case results.

For additional information on how to find a competent investigator, please read my article Top Ten Tips for Choosing an Investigator.

Please feel free to drop me a line or give me a call to discuss your needs: 305-858-9122.