Now more than ever, public agencies are seeking independent and specialized teams to conduct prompt and comprehensive investigations. Lozano Smith’s Investigations Practice Group is comprised of more than 20 attorneys who bring neutral perspectives and help reduce conflicts of interest concerns.

Areas of Practice

Lozano Smith’s Investigative Services Team has expertise in many areas, including the following:

  • Unlawful Discrimination
  • Conflict of Interest
  • Employee Misconduct
  • Financial Fraud
  • Retaliation
  • Sexual Harassment
  • Title IX
  • Training for Administration Team
  • Violations of Policy or Performance Standards
Our team recognizes the challenges that come with investigating complaints filed by and against public employees. Whether questions relate to Fourth Amendment privacy rights, Weingarten rights, Lybarger warnings, or the Peace Officers Bill of Rights, we know that it is important for your investigators to be trained and experienced in the unique issues that may arise for a public agency.

Training and Professional Development

Attorneys in the Investigations Practice Group also continually improve their craft through ongoing professional development with other investigators and associations. Members of our team are trained in or certified by:

  • Association of Workplace Investigators (AWI)
  • Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA)
  • Trauma-Informed Investigation Practices and Techniques

Experience and Perspective

Lozano Smith attorneys have expertly served as investigators and advisors to clients on a broad range of complaints and can help your agency navigate the investigations process. Working alongside K-12 school districts, community colleges, universities, cities, counties and special districts, our attorneys support management in reviewing and responding to complaints in a timely, impartial, and legally compliant manner.

Lozano Smith understands that each investigation has unique circumstances and that every agency has different resources and policies for handling complaints. An attorney can provide services in various functions during an investigation, depending on what best fits the client’s needs. For example, an attorney may advise agency staff who are conducting an internal investigation, assist in the hiring and supervision of an outside investigator, or serve as the lead investigator. Our attorneys have served in each of those capacities.

Sacramento, San Luis Obispo colsonmurphy@lozanosmith.com
Los Angeles, San Diego, Bakersfield dkameya@lozanosmith.com
Emma J. Sol Associate
Walnut Creek esol@lozanosmith.com
Joshua  Whiteside Senior Counsel
San Luis Obispo jwhiteside@lozanosmith.com
Walnut Creek, Sacramento, San Diego krezendes@lozanosmith.com
Komey  Vishakan Senior Counsel
Fresno, Monterey mlerner@lozanosmith.com
Ryan P. Tung Partner
Los Angeles, Walnut Creek rtung@lozanosmith.com
Sarah E. Fama Senior Counsel
Walnut Creek sfama@lozanosmith.com
Steve  Ngo Partner
Walnut Creek sngo@lozanosmith.com
Los Angeles, San Diego tsims@lozanosmith.com