Although many do not think of it this way, attorneys are consumers of intelligence in the same way as generals or ambassadors. Information is required to plan strategy and advance a client’s case. This information must be collected, processed, and analyzed. Information that goes through this cycle is then turned into what we call intelligence. All too often, this process is conducted by law firms in an ad hoc manner. While this may work for many, it does not optimize the value of the information collected.
Turning information into actionable intelligence requires a collection plan that addresses information gaps, and goals for the use of the information. Collecting information requires a variety of methods, documents provided through discovery, commercial databases, open-source searches, social media, interviews, and sometimes surveillance. Information collected through these methods must be processed, analyzed, and then disseminated to the people who will use it. Finally, the results are fed back into the planning process where new information gaps are identified and addressed.
Technology has made accessing information easier, and many of the tasks once assigned to private investigators are now being conducted in-house by attorneys and paralegals. However, the information environment has grown far more complex and the risks of missing important data, or finding erroneous information, have increased significantly. This is why at Legalis we are more than just information collectors. Many private investigators are very good information collectors, but collection is only one step of the process. We analyze information and advise you on how best to use it to support your legal strategy.
When winning is everything, and anything is possible, you need 360-degree intelligence!