Director - Forensic & Litigation Services, Commercial & Intellectual Property Disputes

Whitley Penn • Houston, TX

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

Whitley Penn is hiring a Forensic & Litigation Services Director for its Commercial & Intellectual Property Disputes department. The department provides analysis, advice, and expert testimony to attorneys and clients involved in intellectual property and commercial disputes. The Director directs, administers, and coordinates client assignments and works with team members and outside counsel to implement business strategies and tactics and deliver a high level of client service.

The role is based in Houston and follows a hybrid schedule, with office attendance on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. The general schedule is Monday through Friday, eight hours per day between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., with overtime as needed. The position is full-time and exempt.

The Director calculates economic damages in a range of litigation and other matters; manages projects and staff; reviews and analyzes documents and work product; contributes to reports, expert preparation, testimony outlines, and trial exhibits; attends client meetings; leads departmental training; supports recruiting and professional development; and develops business and professional relationships.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or economics.
• At least 7 years of progressive accounting and/or finance experience culminating in a leadership role that includes management experience, preferably in a consulting environment.
• Broad background and knowledge in litigation and expert services, including calculating damages in different types of matters.
• Proficiency with technology and accounting programs, including Microsoft Office.
• Effective communication skills.
• Project management skills.
• Proven business development ability.
• Ability to manage and lead teams.
• Ethics and compliance.
• Problem-solving skills.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in a related field.
• CPA license and/or other suitable professional credentials or designations.

Responsibilities

• Calculate economic damages in matters involving patent, trademark, and copyright infringement; trade secret theft; breach of contract; business valuation; solvency; fraud; business interruption; personal injury; wrongful death; and wrongful termination.
• Assist with reviewing and analyzing documents, communicate relevant documents and testimony to team members, and ensure that all documents have been reviewed.
• Manage projects by setting internal objectives, delegating assignments, and ensuring objectives are met on time.
• Identify issues, communicate case direction with Managing Directors, and make strategic recommendations using analytical skills to assess details and risk.
• Assist in preparing complete reports for review by Managing Directors and Partners, with work product suitable for delivery to attorneys or clients and accompanied by relevant supporting documents.
• Prepare testifying experts for depositions and trials by organizing files and compiling work papers and important documents in binders for review.
• Work with testifying experts to develop testimony outlines and demonstrative exhibits for trial.
• Review work by Associates, Senior Associates, and Associate Directors; provide feedback and ensure staff work is completed on time.
• Review the formatting and accuracy of schedules, including deleting extra lines, consolidating information, and spell-checking, footing, and cross-footing numerical totals.
• Attend client meetings with Partners and Managing Directors to determine engagement scope and ongoing client expectations.
• Lead departmental training for associate-level professionals and foster continuous improvement, including scheduling in-house training and lunch-and-learns.
• Assist with recruiting, developing training materials, and instructing professional development programs.
• Initiate business development activities, develop internal and external circles of influence, and participate in networking, marketing, and training events.

Benefits

• Firm-paid medical insurance, including free employee-only coverage on two of three plans.
• Voluntary dental and vision insurance.
• 17 annual firm holidays, with extended breaks around July 4th and year-end.
• 25 days of paid time off.
• 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 and wellness program.
• Pet insurance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director