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

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 Commercial & Intellectual Property Disputes team. This department provides analysis, advice, and expert testimony to attorneys and clients involved in intellectual property and commercial disputes.

About the role

The FLS Associate Director will direct, administer, and coordinate client assignments, working closely with team members and outside counsel to ensure effective implementation of business strategies and a high level of client service. Whitley Penn emphasizes collaborative teams, an open-door policy, entrepreneurial thinking, and a strong culture of learning, innovation, and achievement.

Responsibilities

• Calculate economic damages in litigation matters involving patent, trademark, and copyright infringement, theft of trade secrets, breach of contract, business valuation, solvency, fraud, business interruption, personal injury, wrongful death, and wrongful termination
• Review and analyze documents; highlight and communicate relevant documents and testimony to team members; ensure all documents have been reviewed
• Manage projects by setting internal objectives, delegating assignments, and ensuring timely completion
• Identify issues, communicate with Managing Directors and Directors on case direction, and make strategic recommendations using strong analytical skills
• Deliver complete reports to Managing Directors and Partners for review, ensuring work product is client-ready with relevant supporting documents
• Prepare the testifying expert for depositions and trials, organizing files, work papers, and important documents for easy review
• Work with the testifying expert to develop outlines for testimony and demonstrative exhibits for trial
• Review the work of Associates and Senior Associates, providing feedback and ensuring timely completion
• Review formatting of schedules, perform spell checks, and verify numerical totals for accuracy
• Attend client meetings to determine scope of engagement and ongoing client expectations
• Lead departmental training for associate-level professionals and foster a learning environment; schedule in-house training and lunch-and-learn sessions
• Assist in recruiting, developing training materials, and instructing professional development programs

Requirements

• 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
• 5+ years of progressive experience in accounting and/or finance, culminating in a leadership role with management experience, preferably in a consulting environment
• Broad background and knowledge in litigation/expert services and the calculation of damages in various types of matters
• Proficiency in MS Office and accounting programs

Skills

• Effective communication
• Project management
• Team leadership and management
• Ethics and compliance
• Problem solving

Benefits

• 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 and reimbursement for exam fees
• Health & wellness program
• Pet insurance

Schedule

Hybrid (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday in office); general work schedule is Monday – Friday, 8 hours/day between 8am to 5pm with overtime as needed.