Few, if any, successful attorneys have the time to conduct investigative activities. A thorough investigation must be conducted and can entail activities that require time-consuming work. All potential witnesses must be interviewed and new potential witnesses developed. Without a thorough independent investigation, evidence, information and witnesses that support the client may never be revealed. In addition to standard investigative activities, the investigator can review discovery documents to develop leads, evaluate prospective jurors, serve legal papers, and provide support and feedback during trial.

Investigators are often more experienced in conducting interviews than attorneys. They can also go into geographical areas the attorney may not wish to go. In many cases they can better relate to witnesses of varying backgrounds, social levels and ethnic origins. Since many private investigators are former law enforcement officers, they can often obtain information from LE sources that others can't.

The use of an investigator by an attorney provides an image of a well-staffed, professional team. Since the investigator's fee is a legal expense to be borne by the client, above and beyond the attorney's fees, his/her services are at no cost to the attorney. Many qualified, licensed investigators are available with a primary objective of providing investigative services to attorneys.

In providing services to attorneys, investigators: