Litigation Services & Business Valuation

Blum Shapiro's Litigation Services and Business Valuation professionals are CPAs with specialized training in litigation support. We conduct investigations, prepare exhibits for trial, serve as expert witnesses and help with depositions. We can provide precisely the expertise a lawyer needs for the successful outcome of a case. We built our reputation by assisting law firms, insurance companies and banks with a range of litigation support services, which include:

Forensic and Investigative Accounting Business Valuation Bankruptcy and Insolvency Damage Claims and Lost Profits Insurance Investigations and Accounting Malpractice Computer Forensics

For more information, contact Richard Finkel or John Kramer.

Forensic and Investigative Accounting

The range of matters that require intensive investigation and analysis is limited only by the vast array of business and personal transitions that face litigators and jurists daily. They include:

• Bankruptcy and Insolvency
• Complex Financial Disputes
• Hidden Asset Location
• Damage Claims
• Fraud
• Construction Delay Claims
• Embezzlement

Our Services as Forensic Accountants and Certified Fraud Examiners include:

• Conducting Investigations
• Preparing Exhibits for Trial
• Assisting in Developing Interrogatories and Discovery Requests
• Calculating Economic Damages involved in Personal Injury
• Helping with Depositions
• Serving as Expert Witnesses
• Analyzing Damage Claims
• Valuing Services related to Wrongful Termination

Business Valuation

Blum Shapiro performs valuations of closely held companies, partnerships, estates and trusts for a wide variety of industries. We work with attorneys, accountants, private business owners and financial institutions.

Our CPAs hold valuation industry credentials including:

• Accredited Senior Appraiser Business Value Discipline (ASA)
  by the American Society of Appraisers
• Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) by the American Institute of
  Certified Public Accountants

We provide valuations for a broad range of purposes including:

• Marital Dissolution
• Partner or Shareholder Buyouts or Disputes
• Estate Planning
• Taxation Issues such as Probate or Federal Estate Taxes
• Litigation Issues involving Lost Profits, Economic Damages or Bankruptcy
• Buying or Selling a Business
• Allocation of Purchase Price Among Tangible and Intangible Assets
• Employee Benefit Plans

Bankruptcy and Insolvency

As forensic accountants, we follow the cash, identify hidden assets, detect possible fraud and uncover preferential payments and fraudulent conveyances.

Bankruptcy trustees rely on us to assist them in tracking hidden assets, uncovering and documenting preferences and fraudulent conveyances as well as consulting on the issues effecting the bankruptcy estate.

We also assist creditor's committees in analyzing a debtor's ability to successfully continue its operations, reviewing the financial aspects of Disclosure Statements and Plans of Reorganization and the development of alternative plans.

Working with debtors, we assist in developing Plans of Reorganization, review and document preferences and fraudulent conveyances and consult on tax issues.

Damage Claims and Lost Profits

Blum Shapiro is often asked to quantify the economic losses resulting from a broad range of business and professional actions including:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Medical malpractice suits
• Breach of contract
• Unfair business practices
• Conversion of corporate assets
• Patient infringement
• Professional liability and fraud

Our forensic accountants specialize in executing an inquiry in such a manner that the financial information uncovered can be communicated clearly and concisely.

Our associates are experienced in:

• Investigating and analyzing financial evidence
• Developing computerized applications to assist in the analysis and presentation of financial evidence
• Communicating our findings in the form of clear, easy-to-understand exhibits
• Assisting in legal proceedings
• Testifying at depositions or in court as expert witnesses
• Preparing exhibits to support trial evidence

Insurance Investigations and Accounting Malpractice

Insurance policies differ significantly as to their terms and conditions. Blum Shapiro is often asked to review and detail the policy to investigate coverage issues and appropriate methods of calculating loss.

We have forensic accountants who specialize in insurance investigations. Our experience working from both sides - the insurer's and the insured's - provides us with a perspective that allows us to serve both equally.

From business interruptions and property losses to employee dishonesty and fidelity claims, we have the experience needed to help make the most complex issues clear.

Further, we have case experience in identifying and documenting breaches of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and quantifying losses associated with such breaches. We can provide expert testimony and/or an expert report documenting and supporting the loss claim.

Computer Forensics

Computer forensics has become an important component of the litigation process and when performed by qualified professionals it can have a significant impact on the outcome of a case.

Our computer forensic specialists are experienced in maintaining the integrity of data, preserving the chain of control and following a proven methodology of review.

We know the importance of documenting the location of electronic data, the nature of data and the format and identifiers of the device.

We are experienced at accessing a suspected manipulated computer, making "mirror image" copies of all files and directories and documenting all steps taken during the recovery and discovery process.

Computer Forensics are used increasingly in criminal investigations, civil litigation, corporate cases involving sexual harassment, embezzlement, theft of trade secrets or misuse of internet/company property, insurance company cases and law enforcement.