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

Rates:

• Attorney Time: $425 to $625 per hour

• Paralegal Time: $275 per hour

• Attorney Travel Time: $250 per hour

• Attorney Rate for Nonprofits: Starts at $375 per hour

• 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.

Based on our past experience, we find investigations typically fall within the following costs:

• $5,000 to $10,000 for 1) an investigation involving one or two complaints and one to two very discrete incident(s) and only two to five people to interview or 2) a slightly more involved complaint that requires no written report

• $10,000 to $20,000 for an investigation involving a relatively straightforward complaint(s) and approximately five to ten people to interview;

• $20,000 to $30,000 (or more) for an investigation involving more complex or nuanced complaints and/or numerous people to interview;

• In rare circumstances, when the complaints are particularly complex and involved, and also numerous interviews, the investigation can cost from $30,000 to $50,000.

• In all cases, we can check in with you weekly to tell you where we are at in terms of time and cost and make decisions about next steps.

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 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.

For more information, please see our Workplace Investigations page.

*All MLG investigators have gone through extensive training, and maintain an AWI-CH designation, which stands for Association of Workplace Investigators - Certificate Holder, the gold-standard in workplace investigation training.