Sensible Snooping: Practical Guidance for Hiring and Directing Private Investigators in Your Law Practice

This program is designed to familiarize civil trial attorneys with hiring and using private investigators and forensic experts. The program will cover how to set up a relationship with an investigator in order to maximize the evidence they obtain and utilize them at trial. In addition, presenters Wes Bearden and Mike Thompson will provide a primer on investigations and discuss common investigative methods for civil, family, business, and criminal defense matters. The presenters will also discuss common evidentiary and discovery issues with investigators and their evidence, as well as the attorneys' ethical duties surrounding investigators and forensic experts.

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss selecting and hiring an investigator and how to structure your relationship with such experts

2. Explore what activities are commonly accepted as methods of investigation

3. Identify how to admit obtained evidence into your hearing or trial

4. Recognize how discovery can impact your investigator, their reports, and/or obtained evidence

5. Determine your ethical duties revolving around investigators and experts and how to maintain compliance with local, federal, and international privacy laws