GILBERTSON Investigations Inc. (239) 571-1840
Use of Force
Self-Defense
False Arrest & Search
Criminal-Defense Support
Police Misconduct
Deficient Investigations
Failure to Train & Monell
Agency Training
From the record $640,000 jury verdict, with the jury crediting the expert testimony. Hunter v. City of Federal Way, W.D. Wash.
Retention $9,000 initial case retainer · three experts, one co-authored report Full case history Washington casework · The deepest state record For Retaining Counsel The Library · Guides for counsel
Gilbertson Investigations Inc. · For Retaining Counsel

The engagement, stated plainly.

Everything counsel budgets against, on one page: the retention path, the published fee schedule, and the questions attorneys ask before they send the record. Attorney and law-firm inquiries only.

Request CV & fee schedule Call (239) 571-1840
Initial case retainer $9,000 Non-refundable. Covers discovery review by all three experts, each reviewing the record independently and forming their own analysis and opinions within their own discipline.
Written report$9,000 flat
Deposition$3,500 flat
Trial & travel$2,400 / day
Full schedule ↓
01Conflicts & scope

A conflict check and a defined scope with retaining counsel before any substantive discussion. If a case presents a conflict, you hear it immediately.

02Retention

The retainer confirmed in writing, with the scope of review set out in the engagement letter before any substantive work begins.

03Record & report

The full documentary and video record on physical media, measured against national standards. Reports require sixty days of notice; counsel approves a bullet-point outline before writing begins.

04Deposition & trial

Depositions by Zoom on the published schedule; trial testimony nationwide, clocked transparently from flight to flight.

Published Fees

No surprises at invoice.

The schedule attorneys actually plan against, as published. Figures current as of retention; confirmed in the engagement letter.

Initial case retainer
$9,000
Non-refundable. Covers discovery review by all three experts, each reviewing the record independently and formulating their own analysis and opinions within their own discipline.
Written report
$9,000 flat
Co-authored by all three experts, each summarizing their analysis and opinions in writing for the primary author. A bullet-point outline of the report is approved with retaining counsel before writing begins; once writing begins, the fee is non-refundable.
Rebuttal report
From $5,000
A focused response to an opposing expert's disclosed opinions, on the same record discipline as a primary report.
Trial & travel
$2,400 / day
Out-of-town trial testimony, billed at $100 per hour for each 24-hour period absent from home. Time begins three hours before the scheduled departure flight and ends three hours after the return flight lands. Estimated fees and expenses are paid seven days before travel, and are refunded in full if the case settles after payment but before departure.
Deposition
$3,500 flat
A flat fee per expert, taken by Zoom or a similar platform, covering preparation and five hours of examination. Examination beyond five hours is billed at $500 per hour in quarter-hour increments. Payment in full is due seven days before the examination; retaining counsel communicates the fee to opposing counsel.
Travel expenses
Pre-paid
Airfare (American Airlines Premium Economy), lodging within walking distance of the courthouse, and ground transportation are pre-paid by retaining counsel. Meals and miscellaneous expenses are $100 per day; driving time is billed at $100 per hour plus the federal mileage rate.
Report timing
60 days
Expert reports require sixty days of advance notice. Reports required in less than sixty days incur a 25% upcharge. Work begins once discovery has been received on physical media.

Gilbertson Investigations accepts engagements in plaintiff and defense matters where counsel expects attorney fees to meet or exceed $250,000.

First Inquiry

What to send, and what to hold back.

Enough to run the conflict check and gauge the fit. No privileged material with a first inquiry; after retention, the full record travels on physical media, a flash drive or external drive by mail or courier, never by email.

Case type and postureJurisdiction and case numberKey deadlines: disclosure, trialWhat the record holds so farParties, for the conflict check
Start the email Or build the case file →
Required Discovery · After Retention

The discovery file, assembled by counsel.

Work begins when discovery arrives on a computer flash drive or external hard drive — Dropbox and similar online sharing services are not used. Counsel’s staff exclude unnecessary or irrelevant files and include only the relevant record:

Autopsy reports & photosForensic evidence documents & reportsPolice & internal affairs investigation reportsIndependent agency investigation reportsOfficer & civilian witness statements & deposition transcriptsRelevant agency policies & proceduresBody-worn, dash & surveillance camera videoInvolved-officer training & disciplinary recordsRelevant state & federal case lawRelevant state & federal jury instructionsCrime scene photosClient/victim criminal historyOther discovery as requested
Counsel FAQ

Asked before the record is sent.

Which side of a case does Gregory work?
Both. Retentions come from plaintiff's counsel in civil rights matters, from the criminal defense bar, and from counsel defending officers in excessive-force and false-arrest cases. The analysis applies the same standards either way, and every engagement begins with a conflict check.
Does he consult for individuals?
No. Gregory is not an attorney and consults for retaining counsel and their staff only. He does not provide legal advice or attorney referrals to individuals.
What does the retention cost?
A non-refundable $9,000 initial case retainer covering discovery review by all three experts, and a $9,000 flat fee for the co-authored written report. A bullet-point outline is approved with retaining counsel before writing begins; once writing begins, the report fee is non-refundable. Rebuttal reports are billed at a minimum of $5,000. The full schedule, including depositions, trial and travel, is published on this page.
Does he travel for trial?
Yes, nationwide. Out-of-town trial testimony is billed at $2,400 for each 24-hour period absent from home — $100 per hour, beginning three hours before the scheduled departure flight and ending three hours after the return flight lands. Airfare, lodging and ground transportation are pre-paid by retaining counsel; estimated fees and expenses are paid seven days before travel and refunded in full if the case settles before departure.
What do opinions rest on?
The complete record, measured against state and federal statutes, case law, reputable academic research, and national police standards and practices, on the totality of the facts and circumstances. Where scientific, medical, technical or human factors evidence is involved, qualified experts in those disciplines are deferred to, on the record.
How is the case record exchanged?
On physical media. After retention, send the record on a computer flash drive or external hard drive by mail or courier; Dropbox and similar online sharing services are not used. Please do not send privileged material by email, and send nothing privileged with a first inquiry.
How much notice does an expert report require?
Sixty days. Expedited reports required in less than sixty days incur a 25% upcharge, and work begins once the discovery file has been received on physical media.
Are outcomes guaranteed?
No. No guarantee is made regarding the outcome of any civil or criminal case, and retaining counsel is responsible for the admissibility of reports and testimony.
“Professor Gilbertson has twice served as my expert in search and seizure and false arrest cases. His analysis and opinions are always spot on. Methodical and thorough. His work ethic is extraordinary, and his credentials are unassailable.”
Darryl Parker Attorney at Law · Seattle, WA
“His insights, analysis, reports, and trial testimony are always persuasive. I look forward to working with him again on future cases.”
James Bible Attorney at Law · Seattle, WA
Retain

Open a retention.

Attorney and law-firm inquiries only. Conflicts are checked before anything substantive, and you will hear about a conflict immediately.

Retention inquiry

For counsel ready to scope an engagement and a schedule.

Inquiry sent.

You will hear back directly. If the matter is urgent, call (239) 571-1840.