Forensic & Litigation Services Associate Director – Commercial & Intellectual Property Disputes

Whitley Penn; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance options

401(k) with Profit Sharing

Discretionary Bonus Program

CPA Review Course & Exam Fee Reimb.

Health & Wellness Program

Job summary

Whitley Penn in Houston seeks a Forensic & Litigation Services Associate Director to lead complex damage analyses and manage IP/commercial dispute engagements. You will coordinate document reviews, prepare expert materials for depositions and trials, and mentor junior staff while collaborating with partners for client-ready work.

The role requires senior leadership experience, strong analytical capabilities, and a commitment to ethics and client service in a hybrid in-office environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or economics; advanced degree preferred.
• CPA license preferred or other suitable professional credentials.
• 5+ years of progressive experience including leadership in a consulting environment.
• Broad background in litigation/expert services and damages calculations.
• Proficient with technology and accounting software including MS Office.
• Strong communication and project management skills.
• Ability to lead and manage teams; ethics and compliance.
• Problem solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Calculate economic damages in matters including patent, trademark, and IP disputes.
• Review and analyze documents; highlight relevant items for team and clients.
• Manage projects by setting objectives and deadlines and ensuring timely completion.
• Identify issues and advise leadership on case direction with strong analytical skills.
• Deliver complete reports with supporting documents for review by attorneys/clients.
• Prepare testifying expert for depositions and trials with organized files.
• Develop outline for testimony and demonstrative exhibits for trial.
• Review Associates' work and provide feedback for improvements.
• Attend client meetings to determine scope and expectations.
• Lead departmental training and in-house education for staff.

Skills

Effective communication

Project management

Leadership

Ethics and compliance

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or economics

CPA license preferred

Advanced degree in related field preferred

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Whitley Penn, one of the nation's leading audit, tax, and advisory firms, is looking for a Forensic & Litigation Services ("FLS") Associate Director to join our team!

The FLS - Commercial & Intellectual Property Disputes department provides analysis, advice, and expert testimony to attorneys and clients involved in intellectual property and commercial disputes. The FLS Associate Director will direct, administer, and coordinate client assignments and work closely with team members and outside counsel to ensure that business strategies and tactics are effectively implemented and a high level of client services is achieved.

Whitley Penn has become one of the fastest growing public accounting firms by providing exceptional, personalized service that reaches far beyond traditional accounting. In addition to Audit and Tax solutions, we offer a wide range of Advisory and Consulting services. We work in collaborative teams with an emphasis on an open-door policy, entrepreneurial thinking, and a well-built culture. At Whitley Penn, we learn, innovate, and achieve by sharing knowledge, embracing new ideas, and working together. We're looking for professionals who think like owners and want to be part of shaping a high-growth firm.

Position Details

• Job Title: FLS Associate Director
• Classification: Full-time; Exempt
• Department: Forensic & Litigation Services - Commercial & Intellectual Property Disputes
• Location: Houston
• Office Expectations/Hours: Hybrid (Mon, Tues, Thurs in office); general work schedule is Monday - Friday, 8 hours/day between 8am to 5pm with overtime, as needed

What You Will Do

• Calculate economic damages in different types of matters, such as litigation matters involving patent, trademark, and copy right infringement, theft of trade secrets, breach of contract, business valuation, solvency, fraud, business interruption, personal injury, wrongful death, and wrongful termination
• Assist in reviewing and analyzing documents; highlight and communicate relevant documents and testimony to team members; ensure all documents have been reviewed
• Effectively manage projects by setting internal objectives, delegating assignments, and ensuring objectives are met in a timely manner
• Identify issues, communicate with Managing Directors and Directors on the direction of the case, and make strategic recommendations, exercising strong analytical skills for details and risk
• Assist in delivering complete reports to the Managing Directors and Partners for review; the presented work product should be completed as if it is going to the attorneys/clients and should be accompanied by relevant supporting documents
• Help prepare the testifying expert for depositions and trials, ensuring the file is well-organized and all work papers and important documents are compiled in a binder for a quick and easy review by the testifying expert
• Work closely with the testifying expert in developing an outline for testimony and demonstrative exhibits for trial
• Review the work of Associates and Senior Associates and provide feedback for corrections and changes, if needed; ensure staff’s work is completed in timely manner
• Review formatting of schedules prepared (e.g. extra lines deleted, consolidation of information, etc.); spell check, foot, and cross foot numerical totals for accurate financial information analysis
• Attend client meetings with Partners, Managing Directors, and/or Directors to determine scope of engagement and continued client expectations
• Lead departmental training for associate-level professionals and foster a learning environment of continuous improvement; schedule in-house training, lunch and learns with Associates and all members of the team
• Assist in recruiting, developing training material, and acting as an instructor in professional development programs

What You Need To Get Here

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or economics; advanced degree in a related field a plus
• A CPA license is preferred and/or other suitable professional credentials or designations as needed
• 5+ years of progressive experience in accounting and/or finance culminating into a leadership role including management experience, preferably in a consulting environment
• A broad background and knowledge in litigation/expert services and the calculation of damages in different types of matters is required
• Proficiency in use of technology and accounting programs including MS Office
• Effective communication skills
• Project management skills
• Ability to manage and lead teams
• Ethics and compliance
• Problem solving skills

Benefits

Our total rewards are incredibly competitive. We work hard and recharge so that we can be our best selves for our clients. Explore some of our benefits below:

• Firm Paid Medical Insurance (Free Employee Only Coverage on 2 of 3 plans)
• Voluntary Dental and Vision Insurance
• 17 Annual Firm holidays, with extended breaks around July 4th and year end
• 25 days PTO
• Paid Maternity and Parental Leave
• 401(k) with Profit Sharing
• Discretionary Bonus Program
• Firm Paid Becker CPA Review Course & Reimbursement for Exam Fees
• Health & Wellness Program
• Pet Insurance

Whitley Penn is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to age, race, creed, gender, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Whitley Penn is a participant in E-Verify please follow the link to review disclosure notifications: https://www.dropbox.com/s/olsr5xgsgxsntu3/E-Verify%20Notices.pdf?dl=0. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.