Laura Casey
Oakland,CA
Summary
I am a longtime investigator journalist whose work spans from finger-stained newspapers to waiting out subjects to serve subpoenas. As a legal investigator at a national law firm, I helped to bring justice to victims of mesothelioma through interview, research, and memorandum-writing. Today, I am a Senior Investigator and licensed Private Investigator working on civil assignments of a sensitive nature through an attorney-run investigations firm. I am known to be personable and detail orientated.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Investigator
The Klein Group
Oakland, CA
01.2023 - Current
- As Senior Investigator, I conduce Enhanced Due Diligence investigations for litigation, employment, and business ventures.
- I look for witnesses and trust beneficiaries through a variety of research methods that include the use of complex databases.
- I uncover court records and criminal filings, and skip trace subjects that are difficult to locate.
- My job duties also include asset searches, fraud investigations, adoption and heir locations, and geolocating subjects for litigation.
- Daily phone-centered interview work in a profession that also relies on court and public records searches, requests, and review.
Legal Investigator
Maune, Raichle, Hartley, French & Mudd
Emeryville, CA
01.2020 - 01.2023
- Heavy research-based and writing-focused role.
- I created investigative plans and gradually adjusted them to fit the investigation.
- I also performed document writing and review, legal research, records requests, and I assisted 10 attorneys with high-value personal injury cases.
- I conducted interviews and wrote detailed memoranda so the attorneys could evaluate the quality of witnesses in multimillion-dollar mesothelioma cases.
- Heavy in travel both by car and air, I often found reluctant witnesses who would rather not get involved in litigation and interviewed them in person.
- A national, and nationally-recognized, law firm specializing in asbestos litigation.
Client Relationship Manager/Paralegal
Summerall Law
Oakland, CA
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Fielded phone calls, greeted clients, kept attorney/client calendars, and kept snacks in the office!
- As support to five attorneys, I notarized documents, made fixes in estate plans, scanned, delivered, and mailed documents (email and snail mail).
- Kept a detailed case/client spreadsheet.
Legal Investigator
Brayton Purcell LLP
Novato, CA
01.2013 - 01.2018
- Interviewed clients and witnesses to provide background to testimony for personal injury cases.
- Researched Internet, proprietary databases and deposition transcripts to strengthen cases against the makers of asbestos-containing products.
- Maintained accurate track of time using Pacific Timesheets.
- Drafted memos to aid attorneys in deciding when and if to depose a witness.
- Provided intake services for new clients who have contacted the firm through telephone, internet forms, and mail.
Freelance journalist/consultant
Bay Area News Group and various other publications
Oakland
01.2011 - 01.2023
- Conceives, pitches and writes feature and news stories for publication in print and online.
Regional multimedia Journalist
Bay Area News Group-East Bay (Mercury News, Oakland Tribune and Contra Costa Times)
Walnut Creek, CA
01.2006 - 01.2011
- California Newspaper Publishers Association award-winner for Breaking News.
- Identified, reported on and wrote about lifestyles, health, art, home and garden, and food trends in the San Francisco Bay Area to a weekly readership of more than 2.1 million.
- Interviewed and built relationships with health care professionals, artists, and the public to generate work and keep abreast of issues facing their communities.
- Collaborated with staff photographers and art department by providing them with clear assignments.
Metro Journalist
ANG Newspapers (Oakland Tribune)
Oakland, CA
01.2001 - 01.2006
- Attended and reported on government (city council, board of supervisors, municipal advisory committees and community service districts) meetings, as well as the meetings of agencies that operate within those areas.
- Developed relationships in city beat to write articles on growth, development, community and culture.
- Provided breaking news coverage on violence and crime.
Education
Certificate - Paralegal and Legal Studies
Saint Mary’s College of California
B.A. - Journalism
San Francisco State University
Skills
- Writing
- Interviewing
- Project Management
- Technical competence
- Typing
Personal Information
Title: Senior Investigator
Timeline
Senior Investigator
The Klein Group
01.2023 - Current
Legal Investigator
Maune, Raichle, Hartley, French & Mudd
01.2020 - 01.2023
Client Relationship Manager/Paralegal
Summerall Law
01.2019 - 01.2020
Legal Investigator
Brayton Purcell LLP
01.2013 - 01.2018
Freelance journalist/consultant
Bay Area News Group and various other publications
01.2011 - 01.2023
Regional multimedia Journalist
Bay Area News Group-East Bay (Mercury News, Oakland Tribune and Contra Costa Times)
01.2006 - 01.2011
Metro Journalist
ANG Newspapers (Oakland Tribune)
01.2001 - 01.2006
Certificate - Paralegal and Legal Studies
Saint Mary’s College of California
B.A. - Journalism
San Francisco State University