What Law Firms Should Know Before Hiring Subcontract Private Investigators

Running a law firm means juggling a hundred things. When it’s time to bring in a private investigator, you want someone who gets the job done—fast, legal, and clean.

But if you’re subcontracting the work out (and not hiring full-time), there are a few things you’ve really got to lock in.

Let’s walk through what to look for, what to avoid, and how to make sure your firm is covered.

Why Subcontract Instead of Hire?

Most firms don’t need a full-time PI on staff. Subcontracting lets you:

• Match skills to each case
  
• Get coverage in different states
  
• Keep overhead low
  
• Avoid payroll taxes and benefits
  

It’s flexible, efficient, and scalable.

But it only works if you’re hiring the right kind of help.

Check Licensing—Always

You can’t subcontract unlicensed work. That’s a liability you don’t want.

So ask for:
🪪 Current PI license in the case location
📆 Expiration date
📍 State of issuance
⚖️ Proof of insurance (if needed)

You can usually verify licenses online through state boards. If something feels off, skip ‘em.

Ask the Right Questions Before You Assign a Case

Interviewing a subcontract PI doesn’t have to be formal—but it should be smart.

Try these:

• “What kind of cases do you usually handle?”
  
• “Have you worked with law firms before?”
  
• “How do you handle evidence collection and chain of custody?”
  
• “What’s your turnaround time for written reports?”
  
• “Do you testify in court?”
  

You’re not just hiring someone with a camera. You’re hiring someone who might show up in court next to you.

Protect Your Case—and Reputation

A sloppy subcontractor can mess up more than just a report. They can mess up your case.

Make sure they know:
🔒 Confidentiality rules
🧾 Documentation expectations
⚖️ State and federal compliance laws

And yes—use a written subcontractor agreement every single time.

Not sure what that should look like? We’ve got a free template at InvestigatorJobsPortal.com that you can use.

Where to Find the Good Ones

You can ask around. You can post in PI groups. But the easiest way?

Use a platform built for law firms and licensed investigators.

That’s what we do at InvestigatorJobsPortal.com.

• Post a case listing
  
• Include state, case type, and expectations
  
• Get replies from real, vetted PIs
  
• Set your pay, terms, and timeline
  

No guessing. No resumes from unqualified applicants.
Just working investigators looking for subcontract gigs.

Final Tip: Keep a Roster

Once you find a solid subcontract PI, keep their info handy.

Build your own network of trusted freelancers. That way, next time something pops up—say, a skip trace in Phoenix or surveillance in Chicago—you already know who to call.

Imagine a scenario where you need a skip trace done quickly in Phoenix or surveillance conducted in Chicago. If you already have a dependable PI in those regions, you can immediately reach out and get the job started without delays. This kind of preparedness not only streamlines your workflow but also ensures you’re working with people you trust to deliver quality results consistently.

To build this network, maintain detailed records of past subcontractors’ specialties, communication style, turnaround times, and reliability. Keep notes on the outcomes of cases they handled for you and gather feedback from your team. Over time, you’ll develop a go-to list of experts covering various locations and investigative specialties. This network becomes an invaluable asset, giving you confidence that no matter where the case is, you have a trusted professional ready to help.