2008
Mercyhurst University — Institute for Intelligence Studies
Erie, Pennsylvania. Honored as a Horatio Alger Military Scholar.
Certified Legal Investigator (CLI)
National Association of Legal Investigators (NALI)
Credential held since 2020
Credentials · Certified Legal Investigator®
Craig Smith, CLI
Private investigator & defense investigator · Colorado Springs
The CLI is the board certification the National Association of Legal Investigators awards to investigators who work for attorneys and prove it under examination. Craig has held it since 2020.
CLICertified Legal InvestigatorBoard certification conferred by the National Association of Legal Investigators
2020Credential held sinceCraig Smith, CLI earned the designation in 2020
1978CLI Program createdNALI itself was founded in 1967
3Exam sectionsWhite paper, written exam, and ethics & oral exam
What the CLI is
A credential you have to earn in front of other investigators.
NALI has represented legal investigators since 1967. In 1978 it created the Certified Legal Investigator Program to set a national standard for investigators who support attorneys in criminal defense and civil litigation.
The CLI is not a membership level. Candidates must show years of verifiable casework, write an original white paper, and pass a written exam and an ethics and oral exam in which they interview a witness and take a statement while being evaluated by Certified Legal Investigators. NALI calls it “a revered professional board certification.”
How it’s earned
Minimum five years in the field. Three exam sections. 70% on each.
- 01
Experience
A minimum of five years of verifiable work as a legal investigator, providing litigation support and investigative services to attorneys. NALI allows college coursework to substitute for one of those years.
- 02
White paper
An original, unpublished paper of at least 1,000 words on an investigative subject, written specifically for the CLI exam and reviewed by the CLI Committee.
- 03
Written exam
A proctored, three-hour written examination: definitions, true/false, multiple choice, matching and essay questions drawn from NALI’s reading list and The Legal Investigator.
- 04
Ethics & oral exam
A mock assignment in a criminal defense or civil scenario: interview a witness, take a handwritten statement, write the interview memo, then face an oral and ethics examination proctored by CLIs.
After certification, CLIs complete continuing education and file a Report of Compliance with NALI every three years to keep the designation. Details: CLI requirements · About the CLI exam.
Why it matters
For attorneys
Tested on the work you rely on
Witness interviews, signed statements, interview memos and investigative ethics are examined directly, not just claimed on a résumé.
Built for litigation support
The credential is limited to investigators who serve attorneys. Craig works criminal defense and civil matters as both a private investigator and a defense investigator.
Kept current
CLIs must earn continuing education credits and file Reports of Compliance with NALI every three years to keep the designation.
For media & producers
A precise on-air credential
Use: “Craig Smith, CLI — Certified Legal Investigator, National Association of Legal Investigators.”
Someone who has done the work
Criminal defense investigation on public court matters in Colorado, plus surveillance, witness interviews and post-conviction case review.
Easy to book
Press and speaking requests go through the contact page. Past appearances are collected on the media page.
Credentials & honors
Horatio Alger Military Scholar
Mercyhurst University, Institute for Intelligence Studies
Professional affiliations
- NALINational Association of Legal Investigators
Certified Legal Investigator · Active member - PPIACProfessional Private Investigators Association of Colorado
Former board member · Active member - INTELLENETInternational Intelligence Network
Active member · Global investigative partnerships
Military decorations & awards
- Army Commendation Medal
- Army Achievement Medal2nd award · 1 bronze oak leaf cluster
- Army Good Conduct Medal
- National Defense Service Medal2nd award · 1 bronze service star
- Iraq Campaign Medal2 campaign stars
- Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Armed Forces Reserve MedalM device
- Army Service Ribbon
- Army Meritorious Unit CommendationUnit award
Education
2010
Canisius College
Buffalo, New York.
—
University of Colorado
Languages
- EnglishNative
- ArabicProfessional proficiency — spoken, written, analytical
- Czech / ČeštinaConversational
- FarsiReading proficiency
More from Craig
- BrightStar InvestigationsRetain Craig’s agency for private and defense investigations ↗
- Rocky Mountain Private Investigators AcademyField training and coaching for private investigators ↗
- Timestamp My VideoFree tool to burn a date and time stamp into video clips ↗
- ConsultingCase consulting and investigative support →
CLI questions
Frequently asked
What does CLI stand for?
CLI stands for Certified Legal Investigator®, a professional board certification awarded by the National Association of Legal Investigators (NALI).
Who awards the CLI designation?
The CLI is conferred by the National Association of Legal Investigators, Inc. through its CLI Committee. NALI created the CLI Program in 1978.
How does an investigator earn the CLI?
Candidates need at least five years of verifiable legal investigation experience, then must pass a 1,000-word-minimum white paper, a three-hour written exam and an ethics and oral exam, scoring at least 70% on each section.
Is Craig Smith a Certified Legal Investigator?
Yes. Craig Smith, CLI has held the Certified Legal Investigator designation from NALI since 2020. He is a private investigator and defense investigator based in Colorado Springs and the founder of BrightStar Investigations.
Does the CLI need to be maintained?
Yes. CLIs must earn continuing education credits and file a Report of Compliance with NALI every three years or risk suspension of the designation.
Certified Legal Investigator® and CLI® are registered trademarks of the National Association of Legal Investigators, Inc.
Engagements
Work with a Certified Legal Investigator
Private investigator and private detective work is handled through BrightStar Investigations, which Craig founded in 2014 and leads as principal investigator.
or email Craig@BrightStarInvestigations.com · Press & speaking inquiries