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

Title and Summary

Whitley Penn, a leading audit, tax, and advisory firm, seeks an experienced Forensic & Litigation Services (FLS) Associate Director to join their team. This role focuses on providing analysis, advice, and expert testimony in intellectual property and commercial disputes.

Position Details

• Title: 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 copyright infringement, theft of trade secrets, breach of contract, business valuation, solvency, fraud, business interruption, personal injury, wrongful death, and wrongful termination

• Afford assistance 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

• Afford assistance 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

• Review the work of Associates and Senior Associates and provide feedback for corrections and changes, if needed; ensure staff’s work is completed in a 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

• Afford assistance 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

• 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
• 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

About Whitley Penn

Whitley Penn is committed to providing exceptional, personalized service that extends beyond traditional accounting. They offer a wide range of Advisory and Consulting services, emphasizing collaboration, an open-door policy, and entrepreneurial thinking. As an equal opportunity employer, they value diversity and inclusion, fostering a culture of learning, innovation, and achievement through shared knowledge and teamwork.