MLG Workplace Investigations - What to Know

Investigation Process and Costs

Maier Law Group attorneys are are experts in employment law and are extensively trained in conducting workplace investigations. We are committed to transparency and impartiality, and we pride ourselves on establishing quick rapport, engaging in trauma-informed interviewing techniques, conducting efficient investigations, and producing unusually high-quality reports.

Our investigation process:

• Complete our intake process so we can pair you with the right attorney for your specific situation and budget

• Attorney conducts interviews with the complainant, respondent, and all relevant witnesses

• Attorney reviews documents, emails, and other relevant materials

• Attorney will work with you or your counsel to determine the best report type to summarize our findings

Hourly rates:

• Attorney Time: From $365 (non profit)/$395 (for profit)

• Paralegal Time: $275 

• Attorney Travel Time: $250 

• Retainer: $5,000 due upon signing the engagement agreement

Investigation cost estimates:

While investigation costs can vary greatly, we happily partner with our clients to decide what cost-saving measures can be used without compromising the quality or integrity of the investigation. We’ll advise you on the best type of report for your particular situation, but we generally write shorter reports (5-10 single spaced pages) because we find they are more user-friendly and cost dramatically less than more standard reports that most investigators draft, and often have unnecessary summaries of testimony, etc. that drive up costs and aren’t necessarily even read!  We will provide you with notes of the interviews and often transcriptions of them if you wish, instead of summarizing each interaction and running up the bill. We are extremely mindful of costs with those companies that need to watch every dime, and recommend a weekly check in regarding costs for those clients that are very cost-sensitive as there are measures we can take to strategically reduce time spent.  Based on our experience, investigations typically cost:

• $5,000 to $10,000 for up to eight shortish (hour or less)  interviews in a straightforward, single or double issue investigation, up to ~30 pages of documents to review, plus a short report or outline of findings (without a report, the amount is generally closer to $5K). Assuming the employer can make everyone available within a few days of request for an interview, the investigation can often be completed in 1-2 weeks (including report).

• $10,000 to $20,000 for 10 plus people to interview, up ~50 pages of documents to review, plus an executive summary report. Without the report, we can sometimes complete the investigation in under the $10K range.  Assuming that the employer can make everyone available within a few days of request for an interview, the investigation can often be completed in 1-3 weeks (including report).

• $20,000 and above for workplace assessments (as opposed to a few discrete issues), many people to interview, and a full written report. Assuming that the employer can make everyone available within a few days of request for an interview, the investigation can often be completed in 3-6 weeks (including report), more for a (rare) 30-50 page report.

If investigations go beyond 4-6 weeks, it’s because the investigator is waiting on something from the employer, such as a key witness to return from leave, a decision to be made on scope, or other things that can delay the investigation’s completion.

If expenses must be capped at a certain amount, please let the investigator know in writing, and check in every week on accruals to make sure we stay in sync on costs.

Please note that the above-mentioned costs are merely estimates, and may not reflect the actual cost of your investigation. We will have a better sense of overall cost when the exact nature of the claim(s) and the number of witnesses who will need to be interviewed are determined.  We will partner with you as we go to keep our arms around costs.

We know investigations are expensive and we are transparent about time spent as we go. If you do not require a report, the cost of the investigation will be reduced considerably. We suggest discussing with your employment counsel whether this is something you can forgo, or definitely need.  Please note that all reports are reviewed by a senior investigator, for .5-2 hours of time, to make sure you receive the best quality report.  That said, we get rave reviews on the cogency, succinctness, and user-friendly nature of our reports. 

For more information, please see our Workplace Investigations page.