Investigative Services for Counsel & Business
Mason Investigative Group works for lawyers representing criminal defendants, civil litigants, and businesses — bringing intellectual curiosity, forthright strategic advice, and clear, concise written reports to complex, high-stakes matters nationwide.
Mason Investigative Group
Berkeley, California · Since 1992
About the Firm
We pride ourselves on our intellectual curiosity, forthright strategic advice, impeccable research, professional and comprehensive interview skills, and clear, concise written reports.
For 27 years, MIG has been hired by the best attorneys in complex, often high-stakes, criminal cases, civil and family matters, and internal investigations throughout the country. Lawyers and businesses routinely seek our expertise in interviewing people of interest, whether they be witnesses, victims of crimes or harassment, or jurors after the trial. We conduct background investigations on important subjects, including party opponents, adverse witnesses, or potential key hires.
We pride ourselves in understanding the character, complexity, and "story" of each case we work on, whether it be a trade secret dispute, a class action, an auto accident, a workplace incident, or a federal death penalty prosecution. We know that the "one size fits all" approach has no place when it comes to hitting the field and interviewing people, trying to understand complex and usually unsettled facts and circumstances.
Mason Investigative Group is part of a tradition of Bay Area investigators with strong academic and diverse employment backgrounds: that means our work is founded on the ability to think critically, analyze carefully, and report succinctly.
Our clients have included
What We Do
Professional, comprehensive interviews of witnesses, crime or harassment victims, jurors after trial, and other people of interest — conducted with discretion and reported clearly.
Deep background research on party opponents, adverse witnesses, and potential key hires, producing litigation-ready reports built on careful, verified sourcing.
Investigations to help businesses protect intellectual property, identify non-complying products, and uncover trade secret theft.
Frequently engaged by businesses, schools, and non-profits for internal investigations related to employment, sexual misconduct, or fraud matters.
Guilt and mitigation investigation at the trial level and post-conviction in state and federal capital and homicide cases nationwide, since the late 1980s.
Support for civil and family matters including electronic discovery, phone and computer forensics, and social media-related investigations.
Firm Resume
Since the late 1980s, Eric Mason and investigators with the firm have worked dozens of homicide cases, and several state and federal capital homicide cases, working both guilt and mitigation, at the trial level and post-conviction.
Trial-Level, State & Federal Court
Post-Conviction Habeas & Atkins Clients
PG&E Fires — Investigation conducted at the direction of PG&E outside counsel in the aftermath of the 2017 Tubbs fire, the 2018 Camp fires, and other fires in Napa, Sonoma, and other Northern California counties.
US v. FedEx — After a seven-year DEA and FDA investigation, the government dismissed its drug trafficking case against FedEx less than a week into trial. MIG ran a multi-year parallel investigation, generated litigation-ready deep background reports, and interviewed scores of witnesses.
In re Lance Armstrong — Parallel international investigation during the pendency of the government's pre-indictment investigation of Armstrong and US Postal Team director Johan Bruyneel. The government dropped its criminal investigation.
Estate of Michael Jackson — MIG works for counsel to the trustees of the Estate, continuing a relationship dating back to 1992, including assisting with the defense of several civil cases and Peo. v. Michael Jackson, in which Jackson's trial on charges of child molestation ended in acquittal.
US v. Stefan Wathne — An international money laundering case, alleging the laundering of proceeds from the largest LSD manufacturing ring in U.S. history, requiring widespread investigation throughout the United States and in Russia; eventually settled by a misdemeanor plea.
FBI Investigation of Don Perata — Pre-indictment investigation for the former president pro tempore of the California Senate, subjected to a multi-year political corruption investigation that ended with no indictment.
US v. Athenian Sea Carriers & Atemios Maniatis — Interviews of merchant seamen and others in this marine pollution case brought under the MARPOL convention, tried to a jury in federal court in Sacramento and ending in acquittal.
US v. Greenberg, et al. — KPMG tax partner Gregg Ritchie was among those accused of marketing illegal tax shelters; his indictment was set aside by the trial court in New York.
US v. Barry Bonds — The baseball player's perjury trial resulted in conviction on a single count of obstruction of justice, later overturned on appeal.
Our People
Eric began his investigative career in 1986 after graduating from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in history. He gained extensive experience with capital homicide specialist Russell Stetler, then moved to Palladino & Sutherland. Eric founded his own firm in 1992 and began to direct investigations in complex criminal and civil matters.
John earned a B.A. in English from Berkeley in 1987. Before joining Mason Investigative Group in 2004, John worked in advertising and publishing, and before then spent a number of years summarizing deposition and trial testimony in complex environmental litigation.
Biography coming soon.
A consistent history of pro bono work — in indigent defense, death penalty and commutation matters, civil rights, and reuniting families through the Alameda Health System.
Speak With UsContact
Phone
Office
2430 5th Street, Suite F
Berkeley, CA 94710
Service Area
Berkeley & Los Angeles
Engagements Nationwide
"We respond to all inquiries promptly. For urgent matters, please call directly."