Litigation support: A powerful tool of corporate law
Corporate disputes are often resolved through mediation or negotiation; however, complex and contentious matters may require more formal legal proceedings. Where such disputes involve the quantification of financial loss, the litigation support services of a forensic accountant can be critical.
Forensic accountants provide the court with an independent financial expert opinion and also critique the opinions of opposing experts in the matter. Furthermore, forensic accountants assist legal counsel by analyzing and interpreting financial documentation, as well as assisting with the cross-examination of opposing experts.
Where parties seek to resolve issues prior to a trial, forensic accountants provide support, analysis, and perspective during settlement negotiations.
When is litigation support required?
Examples of matters that require the litigation support services of a forensic accountant include:
- Breach of contract
- Shareholder and partnership disputes
- Post-closing adjustments on M&A transactions
- Claims or allegations of fraudulent activity
- Pursuit of damages/lost profits
- Post-acquisition disputes
- Intellectual property disputes
- Business interruption and insurance-related claims
The list above is by no means exhaustive. Any legal matter requiring the quantification of financial or economic loss may benefit from the services of a forensic accountant.
What can a business litigation support team offer?
An expert litigation support team brings three important qualifications to the table:
- Objective, defensible analysis
The conclusions made by financial litigation experts are supported by careful review of documentation, detailed research, and thoughtful analysis, resulting in objective opinions that can be relied on in your legal matter.
- Clarity in complex matters
Financial aspects of litigation can be exceedingly complex. Financial litigation experts simplify such matters, providing the Court, arbitrator, or mediator with a readily understood analysis of the financial aspects of the case.
- Strategic insight throughout the process
An experienced litigation support team will not only assess potential damages in your matter but also assist with examinations for discovery, provide expert witness testimony, and assist with the cross-examination of other experts.
How Fuller Landau can help
If your company is facing a complex legal issue, engaging a forensic accountant early can provide clarity and direction. Our team at Fuller Landau is here to help. For more information on our litigation support services, reach out to our litigation accounting team.
About the author
Ohran Gobrin is a Partner and Practice Lead in our Valuations group at Fuller Landau. He can be reached at ogobrin@fullerllp.com.
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