Kathie Allen, workplace investigator serving Irvine employers.

Licensed CA & AZ Private Investigator | AWI Trained | Irvine, California

Need HR investigation support in Irvine, CA? Get an independent, defensible investigation.

HR investigation support in Irvine, CA for employers, HR teams, employment attorneys, public agencies, and educational institutions. Independent workplace and Title IX investigations with prompt, impartial fact finding and defensible written reports.

Call or Text (949) 573-4624 See How an Investigation Works

Licensed CA PI #27033

Licensed AZ PI Agency #1829951

20+ Years of Experience

SHRM-SCP

Certified Title IX Investigator

Certified Mediator

Based in Irvine, Serving Orange County

When should you engage an independent investigator?

Organizations turn to an independent investigator when allegations involve executives, HR, or senior leadership; when internal staff have real or perceived conflicts of interest; when the findings must hold up to board, agency, or legal review; and when neutrality is essential to protect trust and reduce litigation risk.

HR Investigation Support

HR investigation support in Irvine, CA

Irvine HR teams often need an outside investigator when a complaint involves a manager, an executive, or HR itself, or when the internal team does not have the time to investigate thoroughly. Allen Morris Investigations works alongside your HR department as a neutral fact finder. Your team keeps control of employment decisions, and we deliver the evidence and findings that support them.

Support we provide to Irvine HR teams:

Intake review and investigation scoping, including framing the allegations to be investigated
Neutral investigations of harassment and discrimination, retaliation, employee misconduct, and bullying and abusive conduct complaints
Witness interviews, document and electronic evidence review, and credibility assessment
A written report with Findings and Analysis under the preponderance of the evidence standard
Title IX investigations for schools and colleges

Before engaging any outside investigator, review our guide, Before You Hire a Workplace Investigator.

What We Investigate

Allegations vary. The investigation standard should not.

Neutral, evidence-based fact-finding aligned with California employer obligations, organizational policy, and the preponderance of the evidence standard.

Harassment, Discrimination & Retaliation

Investigations under California FEHA and federal Title VII, including timeline reconstruction and adverse action analysis for retaliation claims.

Employee Misconduct

Theft, embezzlement, falsified records, policy violations, and professionalism concerns.

Whistleblower Claims

Financial irregularities, safety violations, and California Labor Code whistleblower protections.

Leadership & Executive Investigations

Structurally independent review when allegations involve executives or reporting-chain conflicts.

Title IX & School Investigations

Investigations for K-12 districts and higher education institutions, including UC Irvine-area and Irvine Unified School District communities.

Bullying & Abusive Conduct

Investigations under California AB 2053 abusive conduct standards and organizational policy.

Independent Investigator for Counsel

Neutral fact-finding in support of employment attorneys and their clients.

City Hall in Irvine, California — Serving employers throughout Irvine and the surrounding Orange County area. Photo: Azusa Tarn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Local Employers

Employers we serve in Irvine

Irvine employers include the University of California, Irvine, the Irvine Unified School District, and technology, medical device, and video game companies in the Irvine Spectrum and Irvine Business Complex areas.

Illustrative Example

What a Irvine investigation can look like

Illustrative example, not a specific client matter. A technology company in Irvine receives a complaint that an engineering manager excluded a team member from projects and made comments about her age after she turned 50. An outside investigator reviews project assignments, performance records, and team messages, interviews the team and the manager, and reports separate findings on the age discrimination and harassment allegations.

Courts, Agencies, and Interviews

How we work with Irvine employers

Irvine employment cases are typically heard by the Orange County Superior Court at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. Administrative complaints may be filed with the California Civil Rights Department or the EEOC Los Angeles District Office. Allen Morris Investigations is based in Irvine, so in person interviews are readily scheduled, and secure video is available for remote witnesses.

See all Orange County workplace investigations.

Methodology

How an investigation works

Built for defensibility. Conducted with precision.

Initial Consultation

A confidential discussion of the concern, the parties involved, and whether an independent investigation is the right fit.

Engagement & Scope

A formal engagement agreement, written investigation scope, allegations framing, and evidence preservation notice.

Evidence Collection

Systematic review of documents, electronic communications, and records, with chain-of-custody discipline.

Witness Interviews

Structured, trauma-informed interviews of complainants, respondents, and witnesses, conducted neutrally and respectfully.

Analysis & Credibility Assessment

Timeline reconstruction, corroboration analysis, credibility determinations, and application of the preponderance of the evidence standard.

Final Report

Comprehensive written findings with supporting analysis, policy references, and a defensible record for executive, board, or legal review.

Case Example

What an independent investigation looks like in practice

De-identified case study

Background

A California employer retained an outside investigator after concerns surfaced that a senior employee had misrepresented credentials and manipulated internal records.

Investigation Process

Confidential interviews were conducted with supervisors, peers, and HR representatives. Professional certifications were verified with the issuing body, and personnel documentation was cross-checked against internal records.

Findings

The evidence supported a sustained finding that the employee had misrepresented credentials and participated in ongoing record manipulation. Documentation and corroboration were central to the conclusion.

Outcome

The organization implemented corrective action, enhanced credential verification, and strengthened manager documentation practices.

PreponderanceStandard applied

IndependentOutside fact-finding

DefensibleBoard-ready reporting

About the Principal Investigator

Kathie Allen, SHRM-SCP, brings over 20 years of experience in workplace investigations, employee relations, compliance, and administrative review, including service as Whistleblower Compliance Officer at a major California university. Licensed private investigator in California and Arizona; certified as a woman-owned business (WBENC WBE, SBA WOSB).

California Private Investigator License #27033

Arizona Private Investigator Agency License #1829951

Certified Title IX Investigator

SHRM-SCP Senior HR Credential

Certified Mediator | AWI Trained

Association of Workplace Investigators | Orange County Bar Association

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions from Irvine employers

Who can legally conduct a workplace investigation in California?

Only a licensed private investigator, an attorney acting in the course of legal practice, or an employer’s own internal employees may lawfully conduct workplace investigations in California (Business and Professions Code section 7522). Using an unlicensed outside investigator can expose an organization to penalties and can undermine the investigation if challenged.

What types of complaints should be formally investigated?

Serious allegations such as harassment, discrimination, retaliation, theft, fraud, falsified records, threats, confidentiality breaches, and ethics violations generally warrant a structured investigation.

How long does an investigation usually take?

Many investigations conclude within two to six weeks, depending on witness availability, evidence volume, and whether interim measures are needed.

Why hire an outside investigator instead of handling it internally?

An independent investigator strengthens neutrality, reduces perceived bias, and creates a more defensible record for executive, board, agency, or legal review, particularly when allegations involve leadership or HR itself.

Do you serve organizations outside Irvine?

Yes. Allen Morris Investigations serves employers throughout Orange County, the Inland Empire, and greater Southern California, as well as Arizona.

Need a neutral workplace investigation in Irvine?

Confidential consultations for employers, HR teams, attorneys, public agencies, and schools. Responses within 24 hours. Office: 15642 Sand Canyon Avenue, Suite 52282, Irvine, CA 92619-9996.

Call or Text (949) 573-4624 Email for a Confidential Consult

Learn more about our independent workplace and HR investigation services for employers, HR teams, public agencies, and counsel across California.