For private investigator Sean Mulholland, the COVID-19 shutdown means that some areas of his business are down, but some are more active than before the pandemic.
“About two-thirds of our business is litigation support, so with the courthouse closed, that has ground to a halt,” said Mulholland, owner of Mulholland Investigation and Computer Forensics.
“But it’s easier to serve subpoenas. People are at home, so we can find them,” he said.
Current clients are calling to make sure their computer server and internet security measures are up to date, particularly those who have shifted to working at home.
The digital investigation part of the business hasn’t been seriously affected. The company provides services such as obtaining information from social media and email accounts, asset searches and background checks. That work went digital years ago, Mulholland said.
“My two forensic examiners are busy and we’ve gotten several new cases in the past two weeks.”
The firm has eight full-time and five part-time employees. Everyone is working, although some have had their hours reduced.
Being computer-based before the shutdown makes the transition to social distancing smoother.
“Our ability to work remotely has kept us operational,” said Mulholland, whose business is based Downtown.
The shutdown means billing is down, but so far the effect on cash flow hasn’t caught up with the decline.
“Most of our clients pay their invoices in 60-90 days, so I’m getting the January and February billing now,” Mulholland said.
The slowdown also has created time to catch up on business research and reading, and Mulholland is conducting more seminars for groups that are meeting on Zoom.
“I gave a presentation about computer security when working at home to the Downtown Rotary Club,” Mulholland said.