Selecting the Right Investigative & Protective Specialist

Independent advisory for attorneys seeking the right investigative and protective specialists for high-stakes litigation and other sensitive matters—not another investigative firm or security company. Not every case requires this level of advisory. High-stakes matters often do.

Mike Wolivar helps attorneys select and retain the investigative and protective specialists best suited to the particular needs of high-stakes litigation and other sensitive matters. When requested, he remains involved to provide advice, coordinate with counsel and the specialist, and help ensure the work remains focused on the objectives of the case and is performed efficiently and cost-effectively.

His role is not to replace the investigator or protective specialist. Rather, it is to help attorneys select the right professional for the assignment and, when appropriate, serve as an experienced resource throughout the engagement.

Most attorneys retain investigators only occasionally and understandably have limited opportunity to become familiar with the capabilities, strengths, and limitations of the many specialized disciplines within the investigative profession. The investigator best suited for due diligence may not be the right choice for complex surveillance, international assignments, digital forensics, witness development, asset investigations, social media intelligence, or litigation support.

For more than 30 years, Mike Wolivar has worked within the private investigative and protective services professions, personally conducting complex assignments, managing investigative operations, and working alongside highly accomplished specialists throughout Southern California and beyond. This field-level operational experience has provided him with practical insight into the qualities that distinguish exceptional professionals from those whose credentials may appear impressive but whose private-sector performance may be less established.

Drawing upon decades of professional relationships, Mike helps attorneys identify specialists whose experience, judgment, discretion, and capabilities are aligned with the unique needs of each matter. When appropriate, he remains involved throughout the engagement, providing strategic guidance and quality-control oversight to help ensure investigative efforts remain aligned with litigation objectives, budgets, and client expectations.

The objective is straightforward: to help attorneys select the right investigative and protective specialists from the outset, reduce unnecessary risk and expense, and better serve the interests of their clients.