Why Law Firms Conduct Background Checks
Introduction
In legal work, details are everything—and missing a single fact can jeopardize your case. Whether you’re screening a witness, preparing a client for testimony, or investigating an opposing party, background checks are essential tools in the attorney’s arsenal. But not all background checks are created equal. Online reports may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. That’s why Louisiana attorneys rely on licensed private investigators like Michael Barry of Safe Keeping Investigations, LLC to perform thorough, legally-sound background investigations that stand up in court.
🎯 Why Law Firms Conduct Background Checks
Background checks support a variety of legal strategies and case types, including:
- Criminal defense: Evaluate witness credibility or prior convictions
- Civil litigation: Uncover hidden business affiliations or financial history
- Family law: Confirm claims of employment, history of abuse, or asset ownership
- Personal injury: Identify patterns of fraud or staged accidents
- Corporate law: Vet executives, employees, or opposing experts
🧠 A background check is often the first step to verifying the truth—and protecting your client’s position in court.
🔍 What a Professional Background Check Includes
Unlike basic online searches, a true investigative background check may include:
- ✔️ Criminal & civil court history
- ✔️ Known aliases and address history
- ✔️ Employment & licensing verification
- ✔️ Business affiliations and ownership
- ✔️ Real estate and vehicle ownership
- ✔️ Bankruptcy, liens, and judgments
- ✔️ Social media activity & reputation insights
- ✔️ Sex offender registry status
- ✔️ Federal and out-of-state records (when applicable)
✅ Michael Barry uses private legal-access databases and direct court record pulls to ensure the highest level of accuracy.
⚖️ When to Use a Background Check in Legal Practice
1. Witness Screening
Before putting someone on the stand, verify they don’t have a criminal history, pending lawsuits, or affiliations that could damage your case.
2. Client Intake & Due Diligence
Especially in criminal, family, or corporate law, you need to understand your client’s full history before strategy meetings or filings.
3. Opposing Party Intelligence
Background checks can reveal financial red flags, past litigation, or hidden business ties that may inform settlement strategies or discovery motions.
4. Expert Witness Vetting
Even a well-credentialed expert may have conflicts of interest, lawsuits, or disciplinary actions. Background checks help ensure your expert can withstand cross-examination.
🛡️ Why Work With Safe Keeping Investigations?
Michael Barry brings a unique combination of law enforcement background and legal strategy awareness to every background check. He has:
- 🕵️ 43+ years in criminal investigations, Internal Affairs, and surveillance
- 📜 Master's & Instructor Certifications (Texas Commission on Law Enforcement)
- 🎓 Graduate of the FBI National Academy (181st Session)
- 💼 Courtroom experience as an expert witness
- ✅ Fully licensed Private Investigator in Louisiana
🔐 All findings are documented with clarity, confidentiality, and admissibility in mind.
✅ Final Thoughts: Trust the Facts—Not Assumptions
Legal cases are won or lost based on facts, not assumptions. A thorough background check performed by a trusted private investigator arms your law firm with the knowledge needed to act decisively, avoid surprises, and build winning strategies.📍 Based in Madisonville, LA, Safe Keeping Investigations proudly supports attorneys and law firms across Louisiana.📞 Call Michael Barry today: (409) 434‑9698
📧 Email:mtbarry113@gmail.com