About WALI

Our dossier

HISTORY

A history of excellence

The Washington Association of Legal Investigators was formed during the late 1990s internet boom to advance the field of professional investigations. Today, we serve as the voice of Washington’s top private investigators.

Founded in 1997 by a forward-thinking group of private investigators, the Washington Association of Legal Investigators is a non-profit corporation governed by our mission to transform the legal investigative industry. By providing a robust educational forum and supportive community for budding investigators, we ensure that the professionals in our field continue to evolve and adapt.

WALI members opt into a self-regulatory body committed to ensuring the ethical operation of its members. Our standards are high, which is evident in the quality of our membership.

We’re dedicated to elevating professional standards, ensuring our members offer unparalleled service to the public.

Read our founding documents to learn more:

MISSION

Maintaining our excellence

Our Mission: To provide an educational forum and elevate the professional standards of the legal investigative industry. At WALI, we aim to unite, elevate, and serve private investigators in Washington.

Our goals:

Promoting the highest standards of professional ethics and integrity.

Advancing the profession through education.

Embracing innovations that enable our members to work more effectively.

Upholding the dignity of our work and advocating for an optimal operating environment for professional investigators.

Helping the public better understand investigative work and demonstrating its value through public service and outreach.

VISION & VALUES

Promoting trust

WALI membership: A badge of quality

Ethical. Conscientious. Strategic. Transparent.

Washington Association of Legal Investigators members are known for professional, ethical, and effective investigations. Our members opt into a voluntary self-regulatory regime with a robust code of [ethics] and [professional standards]. These standards guide each WALI member as they navigate assignments.

When you hire a WALI member, you can rest assured that they will obtain information using ethical and lawful methods, ensuring admissibility in court.

Ready to demonstrate your commitment to the highest ethical standards in investigations?

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Experienced guidance

A volunteer board of directors governs WALI. Current directors include:

Lael Henterly

PRESIDENT

Lael Henterly and her firm, Integra Intelligence, have led plaintiffs’ investigations in hundreds of securities fraud, antitrust, and qui tam cases for partners at top-tier plaintiffs’ law firms who represent consumers in complex litigation against powerful corporations. Lael’s investigative work has spurred reforms regulating insulin pricing, pharmaceutical profiteering, and opioid distribution.

Lael finds witnesses and gains their cooperation, conducting interviews to support complex federal litigation against publicly traded companies. She has interviewed thousands of witnesses, weaving their stories into compelling narratives. Lael’s investigative work has contributed to clients securing multibillion-dollar settlements, including in the landmark opioid multidistrict litigation.

Lael holds a BA in journalism from the University of Washington and worked as a journalist before launching Integra Intelligence in 2016. Her acclaimed reporting on algorithmic justice and immigration detention has been widely recognized and cited in scholarly publications.

Andy Holmes

VICE PRESIDENT

Andrew Holmes has over 25 years of experience in legal, investigative, and security fields. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Washington State University and a Certificate in Forensics from the University of Washington.
He started his career at the King County Prosecutor’s Office in 1994, later serving as Courtroom Clerk for Judge Marsha J. Pechman and then as Bailiff for Judge Suzanne M. Barnett.

In 2000, Holmes became a Criminal Defense Investigator for Associated Counsel for the Accused (ACA), working on 148 cases, including death penalty investigations. From 2003 to 2005, he served in Iraq as a Military Police Platoon Leader and Anti-terrorism Officer, then as a Protective Security Specialist and US Embassy Operation Chief in Kabul.

After his service in Iraq and Afghanistan, Holmes worked in executive protection, including roles with Paul Allen’s detail and as Executive Protection Manager at Concentric Advisors. In 2013, he founded Holmes Legal Investigations and later Holmes Risk Management, employing up to 24 investigators and security officers handling complex civil investigations, wrongful death, civil rights cases, surveillance, and executive protection.

Liz Speigel

SECRETARY

Liz Speigel is the agency principal of Speigel Investigations in Seattle, Washington. Specializing in civil litigation, she passionately advocates for plaintiffs in cases involving personal injury, wrongful death, and sexual assault. Liz extends her expertise to criminal defense investigation and is a mitigation specialist. Prior to her investigative career, Liz worked in social services, fostering a unique blend of compassion and insight into social issues. This background enables her to skillfully build rapport with clients and witnesses. Liz is dedicated to delivering thorough and ethical investigative services.

Raj Johal

TREASURER

Raj Johal started his law enforcement career with the Las Angeles Police Department, infiltrating criminal organizations as an undercover officer.

In 1982, Raj transferred to the Bellevue, Washington Police Department and retired as a Detective for the Financial Crimes Unit in 1997. Raj served as a Union Representative for the Police Guild for 7 years. During those years while working as a Police Officer, he assisted with the family business, a Sony TV electronic store in Bellevue, Washington. Raj later rejoined the City of Bellevue as a Compliance Officer in a Civil Capacity and worked another 10 years before retiring again.

In 2011, Raj became a Private Investigator and joined the Washington Association of Legal Investigators as a Board Member. He co-wrote the Certified Professional Investigator (CPI) examination and is also a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).

Keith Grube

DIRECTOR AT LARGE

Keith Grube is the proprietor of OWAKPAMNI, LLC, a licensed, insured, and bonded Washington Private Investigation agency. He graduated from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, GA, and Artesia, NM, then transitioned from criminal investigations to surveillance in the private sector. Grube helped ensure culturally respectful visits to Native American reservations while conducting protective security operations for U.S. Congresspersons and heads of state. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant, Supervisory Special Agent, and Supervisory Police Officer and has the pleasure of serving as the supervisor of a Canine and Special Investigations Unit.

Grube has taught classes at Weld County Colorado Law Enforcement Academy and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.

Mick Jolly

DIRECTOR AT LARGE

Carter McKaughan

DIRECTOR AT LARGE

COMMITTEES

Ensuring representation

WALI members guide the association by volunteering on committees.

Legislative: Help shape policy
Governance: Cultivate future association leadership
Ethics: Self-regulate our industry
Conference: Organize a dazzling annual event
Education: Ensure high-quality, relevant curriculum
Business Development: Forge meaningful partnerships
Public Relations: Enhance understanding of the investigative industry

PARTNERSHIPS

Partnering together

Signify your commitment to quality by partnering with the Washington Association of Legal Investigators.

WALI is the only professional body working with the University of Washington private investigation certificate program. As a program partner, we provide training and mentorship opportunities for UW students as they pursue careers in investigations and litigation support.

An acclaimed program for private investigators places their trust in our investigators to serve as models of investigative skill and professionalism. We’re confident you can do the same.

Interested in partnering with WALI?