Forensic & Litigation Services Director – Commercial & Intellectual Property Disputes

Whitley Penn; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Firm Paid Medical Insurance

Voluntary Dental and Vision Insurance

17 Annual Firm holidays

25 days PTO

Paid Maternity and Parental Leave

401(k) with Profit Sharing

Discretionary Bonus Program

CPA Review Course Reimbursement

Health & Wellness Program

Pet Insurance

Job summary

Whitley Penn, one of the nation’s leading audit, tax, and advisory firms, is seeking a Forensic & Litigation Services Director in Houston to lead commercial and IP disputes engagements. Hybrid schedule with in-office Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, and consistent collaboration with partners and outside counsel.

The role requires strong leadership, extensive experience in accounting/finance, and expertise in damages calculations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or economics; advanced degree in a related field a plus.
• CPA license preferred and/or other suitable professional credentials or designations as needed
• 7+ 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; strong project management and business development abilities
• Proven ability to lead teams and maintain ethics/compliance
• Problem solving skills

Responsibilities

• Calculate economic damages in matters such as patent, trademark, copyright infringement, theft of trade secrets, breach of contract, business valuation, solvency, fraud, business interruption, personal injury, wrongful termination.
• Review and analyze documents; highlight and communicate relevant documents and testimony to team members; ensure all documents are reviewed.
• Manage projects by setting internal objectives and delegating assignments to ensure timely completion.
• Identify issues and advise Managing Directors on case direction with strong analytical risk assessment.
• Prepare complete reports with supporting documents for review by attorneys/clients.
• Assist in depositions and trial prep, organizing files for quick review by the testifying expert.
• Collaborate with the testifying expert on outline for testimony and demonstrative exhibits.
• Review Associates’ work and provide feedback to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
• Attend client meetings with Partners to determine scope and expectations; contribute to business development.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Business development

Communication

Ethics & compliance

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance/economics

CPA license preferred

Tools

MS Office Suite

Accounting software

Job description

Whitley Penn,oneofthe nation’s leading audit, tax, and advisoryfirms, is looking for a Forensic & Litigation Services (FLS) 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 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 ofthe fastestgrowing public accounting firms by providingexceptional, personalizedservice that reaches far beyond traditional accounting.In addition toAudit and Taxsolutions, we offer awiderange of Advisoryand Consulting services.Weworkin collaborative teams with an emphasis onan open-door policy,entrepreneurial thinking, and awell-builtculture.At Whitley Penn, welearn, innovate, andachieveby sharing knowledge, embracingnew ideas, and working together.We’relooking for professionals who think likeowners and want to bepart of shaping a high-growth firm.

Position Details:

• Title: 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 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, Senior Associates, and Associate Directors 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 and Managing 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
• Initiate business development activities and develop an internal and external circle of influence; participate in networking events, marketing events, and training

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
• 7+ 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
• Proven business development ability
• Ability to manage and lead teams
• Ethics and compliance
• Problem solving skills

Why Whitley Penn

Our total rewardsareincrediblycompetitive. We work hard and recharge so that we can be our best selves for our clients.Exploresome 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.

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