Trust isn’t a buzzword—it’s the foundation when law firms and private investigators collaborate. Attorneys handle stakes that go beyond billable hours: client financials, personal secrets, case strategies that could unravel if mishandled. Picture a PI working a fraudulent insurance claim—a worker’s comp case, alleging a degree of disability for an injury that may or may not have happened at work. You need that investigator to be a vault, delivering evidence like video of the “disabled” claimant lifting weights at a gym, or golfing when they should be at home or at a doctor’s appointment. One slip up, and your case is toast. Trust makes or breaks it.
How does it grow? It’s a process, not a handshake. Here’s how it unfolds:
- Low-Risk First: Start with a simple gig—say, verifying a claimant’s past in a minor dispute. A tight, court-ready report on time? PI’s should be detail oriented and reports should be clear and professional. That’s a green light.
- Scale Up Smart: Move to bigger tasks, like multi-day surveillance to catch a fraudster. Clear goals (e.g., proving exaggerated injuries) keep it focused.
- Communication: Regular updates align their work with your legal play— no surprises, just results that fit your depositions or filings. Once the trust is there, a seasoned PI may have insights and perspectives on the investigation that may bolster your case – don’t overlook it.
At TrueBlue Consulting, LLC, we believe in this strategy, as these relationships are just that, relationships! Start slow, the slow burn proves reliability. What’s your perspective? Do you test new partners with small stakes, or jump in deep? How do you know trust’s locked in?
Read Part 3: Rates & Growth: https://trueblueconsultingny.com/2025/03/13/law-firms-pi-partnerships-part-3-rates-and-growth-in-pi-law-firm-partnerships-making-it-work-long-term/