HKA welcomes IAM Strategy 300 recognition for Paul Meyer and Samuel Baird
14th August 2025
HKA is thrilled to congratulate intellectual property experts Paul Meyer and Samuel Baird for their recognition in the coveted IAM Strategy 300 guide (IAM 300).
The IAM 300 is an annual, independent research project that highlights the world’s foremost intellectual property experts. Featured individuals are measured on their ability in developing and implementing strategies that maximize the value of IP portfolios, as well as their unique percipience in patent matters.
Renny Borhan, HKA Partner and CEO, said: “It is fantastic to see our talented IP experts lauded in this year’s IAM Strategy 300. Paul, Samuel, and the wider IP team represent the very best of this critical practice as expert witnesses. Their recognition speaks to the breadth of support and skills that our client’s have come to expect, and our IP practice’s continued success and growth.
“We are grateful to the people who nominated Paul and Samuel for consideration, and our clients, who trust us to help them protect, retain and optimize the value of their most prised assets.”
About Paul Meyer
Paul Meyer is a Partner and Global Head of Intellectual Property at HKA, based in the US. He has 40 years of experience consulting on financial, accounting, valuation and damages matters, boasting over 500 expert appointments.
IAM Strategy 300 said: “Paul Meyer is a pioneer who continues to move the profession forward through his thought leadership and thorough analysis. He is credited with some of the most significant landmark damage determinations in the USA and is a go-to expert for complex analysis involving FRAND and SEP-issues.”
Samuel Baird is a Certified Patent Valuation Analyst and Accredited in Business Valuation with over ten years of experience.
IAM Strategy 300 said: “Samuel Baird is a valuation expert specializing in intellectual property and intangible assets, recognized for developing rigorous, defensible FRAND and SEP royalty models and crafting forward-looking strategies for IP monetization and portfolio growth. His work integrates advanced econometrics, forensic accounting, and industry insight to deliver actionable, high-impact solutions in global licensing and litigation.”
HKA’s intellectual property practice began with the acquisition TM Financial Forensics in 2022 and was further bolstered by the purchase of ASQ Consulting in 2023. Both firms specialized in litigation support in matters relating to intellectual property law, including patent and trade secret matters.
Over the last three years, the practice has continued to grow and attract talent from across the spectrum of IP-related expertise. This addition of experienced hires has helped expand HKA’s expertise and geographical reach. The practice now features over 20 experts with experience in intellectual property matters across the Americas, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.
HKA is also recognised by IAM in their Patent 1000 guide; this includes individual recognition for partners John Hansen (IP Lead Americas), Tom Britven, Michael Lasinski, Ryan LaMotta and Paul Meyer, who are also ranked by Lexology Index in their IP report.
HKA is a leading global consultancy in risk mitigation, dispute resolution, expert witness and litigation support services.
We bring a proud record of excellent service and high achievement to bear on today’s challenges. As trusted independent consultants, experts and advisers, we help clients manage disputes, risk and uncertainty on complex contracts and challenging projects. Our advice is impartial, incisive and authoritative.
HKA works with government agencies, local authorities, contractors, legal firms, and other professional service providers, as well as owners, operators, financial institutions, and insurers. Our portfolio includes some of the world’s most high-profile commissions across industries such as aerospace, construction, defense, energy, financial services, government contracting, healthcare, infrastructure, media, and technology, among others.
HKA has more than 1,000 experts, consultants, and advisors across 45+ offices in 17 countries, with the skills and experience essential to addressing even the most complex issues. Our people have vast first-hand experience in all major industries and the world’s most complex megaprojects, as well as an international track record of achieving successful outcomes.
For more information about HKA, visit hka.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter, @HKAGlobal) and Facebook.
In May and June 2025, we welcomed 16 new colleagues to our global team.
This included strengthening our Digital Forensics and Data Solutions team with Partner Eric Mazur and Principal David Griffith and our Advisory team with Siham Salie-Abrahams.
Pamela Andrews Principal, Business Development Austin, TX, United States
Pam Andrews joins the HKA team with over 25 years of expertise in cultivating relationships and opportunities with law firms and C-suites in the Texas market.
Pam has extensive experience driving growth and fostering client relationships across many industries, focusing on healthcare, energy, finance, and intellectual property. In addition to playing a pivotal role in expanding HKA’s market presence, strategic partnerships, and initiatives, she will work closely with HKA’s global teams to deliver tailored solutions that align with the firm’s commitment to excellence.
Pam has a proven track record of identifying new business opportunities, building long-term client engagements, and delivering innovative solutions. She has collaborated with senior practitioners and business development leaders to address corporate challenges and craft effective sales strategies for client success.
Warren Formby Information Technology Site Support Analyst Warrington, United Kingdom
Warren began his IT career as a Service Desk Apprentice, providing first—and second-line support for a global business while completing a Level 3 ICT Technician Apprenticeship. This provided a solid foundation in networking, operating systems, cloud technologies, security, devices, and server management, as well as invaluable hands-on experience in troubleshooting and system administration.
Following this, he has honed his skills in Microsoft 365 and Azure environments, managing and optimizing on-premises, hybrid, cloud, and Citrix systems. He has strong problem-solving skills and knowledge of various hardware, software, and network issues.
He has played a key role in IT projects, including SharePoint migrations, Windows Autopilot implementation, and process automation with Power Automate, helping improve efficiency and workflows. Warren contributed to his previous company’s ISO 27001 certification process to ensure compliance with security best practices.
David Griffith Principal | Digital Forensics and Data Solutions Houston, TX, United States
David Griffith has over 25 years of experience providing strategic guidance to organizations and legal teams navigating digital forensic investigations, bankruptcy proceedings, regulatory concerns, and litigation. He has spearheaded eDiscovery initiatives in some of the most expansive and intricate cases in the United States, handling everything from identification, preservation, and collection to processing, review, and production.
David’s project experience includes employment affairs, environmental incidents, shareholder actions, contractual disputes, white-collar crime, and merger integrations. He has applied his proficiency with structured (transactional) data and data modeling to manage disputes related to oil and gas royalties, intellectual property licensing, and insurance coverage allocation.
Before joining HKA, David was a Senior Director of Forensic Technology Services at Alvarez & Marsal. He has a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science from Texas A&M University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston. He is a licensed private investigator, a Certified e-Discovery Specialist, and a Relativity Master and Relativity Certified Administrator. He has also earned several other Relativity Specialist certifications.
Matthew Hoover Associate Director | Government Contracts Washington, DC, United States
Matthew Hoover joins the Government Contracts practice as an Associate Director. He brings more than eight years of experience in contract cost accounting and contract disputes, assisting clients across the government contracting lifecycle.
His specialties include cost analysis and compliance management for clients in the construction, government contracting, healthcare, life sciences, manufacturing, nonprofit, technology, and transportation industries. Matthew is a Certified Public Accountant and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association.
Bill Jennings Principal | Forensic Accounting and Commercial Damages Atlanta, GA, United States
Bill has over 40 years of experience in forensic accounting, fraud investigations, business valuations, and asset recovery. He works with clients to provide business control and risk management services and expert witness testimony in domestic and international courts.
Bill specializes in uncovering financial irregularities, quantifying damages, implementing robust internal controls, and guiding corporations and government agencies toward financial clarity and security. He has conducted investigations for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
In 2022, Bill authored Fraud Investigation and Forensic Accounting in the Real World, a book that draws on his case experience to guide the reader through every aspect of forensic accounting, anti-fraud control systems, and fraud investigations.
Leo Kalikstein Director | Forensic Technical Services Philadelphia, PA, United States
Leo Kalikstein is a professional engineer with over 30 years of experience in electrical, automation, and instrumentation and control (I&C) systems. His expertise encompasses the full lifecycle of electrical, automation, and I&C software project development deliverables, from initial piping and instrumentation diagram drafting, design, and specification to programming, construction, commissioning, and start-up.
Leo also leads technical investigations, providing expert analysis, reports, and testimony to resolve commercial and industrial disputes. He has addressed various forensic engineering issues related to design, implementation, programming, operation, maintenance, and the failure of instrumentation, control systems, and related equipment.
Leo’s industry experience includes designing and managing water treatment, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, renewable energy, mining, oil and gas, power generation, and chemical processing projects worldwide.
Jared Lake Principal, Business Development San Francisco, CA, United States
Jared Lake brings over 10 years of expertise in driving market expansion, building trusted partnerships, and solving complex problems to elevate brand visibility and achieve significant revenue results.
He began his business development career in the technology sector, securing multi-million-dollar contracts and developing revenue optimization playbooks. Jared specializes in digital matters in technological sectors and has unique experience with advisory services, ERP implementation, digital forensics, compliance initiatives, eDiscovery, cybersecurity, data governance, and cross-border investigations (FCPA).
Before joining HKA, Jared was a Senior Advisor of Business Development at BPM, LLP. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of San Francisco and has held a Certified e-Discovery Specialist, a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert, and a Relativity eDiscovery Platform certificate.
Susan Lee Consultant | Forensic Accounting and Commercial Damages Sydney, NSW, Australia
Susan Lee joins the FACD team in Sydney and is a qualified management accounting professional with a strong foundation in finance and marketing. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Sydney, majoring in accounting and marketing, and is a full member of CPA Australia.
Before joining HKA, Susan spent six years in the corporate sector as a commercial analyst and business controller. In this role, she specialised in budgeting and forecasting sales and profits, analysing performance variances, and overseeing business profitability. Her expertise also includes strategic advice based on pricing and margin simulations, helping organisations make informed, data-driven decisions.
Eric Mazur Partner | Digital Forensics and Data Solutions Miami, FL, United States
Eric Mazur has over 34 years of experience in advanced digital forensic investigations. He has leveraged his expertise in data collection and eDiscovery to investigate unauthorized data access, misappropriation of trade secrets, and data manipulation and destruction matters in the public and private sectors.
Leading comprehensive domestic and international efforts, Eric has recovered, processed, and produced significant amounts of data under subpoena. He has also provided expert witness testimony on over 25 occasions in federal and state courts.
Eric’s investigative background is rooted in his early experience as a detective with the Metropolitan Police Department’s Financial Investigations Unit in Washington, DC. He was trained in computer forensics by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations Division, and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
Phu Nguyen Associate Director | Digital Forensics and Data Solutions Washington, DC, United States
Phu Nguyen has over 20 years of experience in digital forensics, eDiscovery, and data analytics. His forensic expertise includes various digital devices, storage media, servers, networks, and cloud-based services, as well as data collection, analysis, extraction, and evidence control and processing to support litigation.
Applying a compelling combination of investigative, business, and technical skills, Phu has managed large-scale forensic preservations of computers, mobile devices, cloud-based data sources, and network infrastructure for domestic and international corporate investigations and forensics processes.
Before joining HKA, Phu was Vice President of Advanced Forensic Investigative Solutions LLC. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Decision Science and Management Information Systems from George Mason University.
Katherine Odendaal Principal | Forensic Accounting and Commercial Damages London, United Kingdom
Katherine Odendaal is a seasoned forensic investigations leader with nearly 18 years of experience in complex fraud investigations, forensic accounting, and compliance advisory across the UK and EMEA.
She has extensive expertise in helping clients respond to allegations of serious wrongdoing, including financial crime, fraud, misconduct, and regulatory breaches. Katherine has led high-profile cases involving financial misstatements, asset recovery, and anti-bribery investigations. She is skilled in providing expert insights, developing risk-based control strategies, and delivering impactful forensic accounting solutions.
Before joining HKA, Katherine held several senior forensic accounting, fraud, investigations, and compliance positions, including over ten years with KPMG LLP in South Africa and the UK.
Zoe Rayner Company Secretary | Legal London, United Kingdom
Zoe is a Company Secretary with 13 years of experience within the Company Secretarial sector and qualified under the Chartered Governance Qualifying Programme to be a Chartered Secretary with the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland.
She has worked in both PLC and private environments, collaborating with various stakeholders on company secretarial and wider business matters.
Outside of work, Zoe has two young children who take up most of her spare time.
Siham Salie-Abrahams Partner | Advisory Johannesburg, South Africa
Siham Salie-Abrahams, an exceptional leader with 25 years’ experience in public sector advisory, is known for building high-performance teams aligned with strategic growth and market goals. She fosters a culture of innovation, empowering employees to uncover opportunities and deliver transformative solutions. Skilled in client engagement, she consistently delivers sustainable change and drives cross-functional collaboration.
Her expertise spans planning, risk management, and organisational development for large-scale infrastructure and government initiatives. With a strong track record across energy, transport, and utilities, Siham excels at managing complex projects and optimising outcomes through innovative, results-driven strategies that ensure long-term success and lasting impact.
Siham has a strong track record in business growth, infrastructure delivery, and revenue optimisation and is passionate about strategic planning, leadership development, and market penetration. She excels in expanding business presence in emerging markets and managing large-scale infrastructure projects from planning through to execution.
Zack Sperling Manager | Forensic Accounting and Commercial Damages Chicago, IL, United States
Zack Sperling has joined HKA’s Chicago office as a Manager in the Forensic Accounting and Commercial Damages service line. He graduated with distinction from Indiana University, earning dual degrees in Accounting and Finance.
With six years of experience in capital markets litigation and economic damages consulting, Zack has contributed to cases involving insider trading, market manipulation, and business valuation, among others.
He looks forward to continuing to solve complex financial challenges at HKA.
Kevin Tian Manager | Digital Forensics and Data Solutions New York, NY, United States
Kevin Tian joins HKA as a Manager in the Digital Forensics and Data Solutions practice. He brings a strong background in digital forensics and eDiscovery and extensive experience supporting clients on matters involving data remediation, employment disputes, litigation support, and internal investigations, among other areas.
Kevin has provided defensible, well-documented forensic findings that assist organizations in navigating legal and investigative challenges. His expertise includes the collection and analysis of digital evidence from computers, mobile devices, cloud environments, and other electronic sources.
Carlos Turizo outlines the ground rules for instructing lawyers, clients and experts, when property damage claims rely on technical evidence.
In a dispute over damage to a building or another structure, technical experts may disagree – not only over the cause, but even the extent of the physical damage. Therefore, the facts on the ground must be measurable and comprehensible to everyone – the parties and their technical experts, insurers, insureds and brokers.
There are various reasons why these – often avoidable – conflicts over technical evidence occur. The most common factors revolve around the importance of expert impartiality, the different technical standards that apply to designing structures and evaluating existing structures, and how the technical evidence is analysed and then reported.
Here we outline the crucial importance of each of these factors in any claim or dispute over damage, whether caused by natural events, faulty construction or design error.
The Importance of Expert Impartiality
First, a fundamental principle not always clearly understood is that technical experts must be independent and impartial. It is common for brokers to express doubts about the independence of an expert retained by the insurance company. In turn, the insurance company may suspect that a broker’s expert is manipulating the data to get full coverage on a given claim.
Any technical expert – who respects the ethics of the role, their profession, and the value of the knowledge they have acquired over their career – must be guided only by the forensic evidence and its analysis. Conclusions reached in this way cannot be influenced by the client. When a retained expert’s opinion does not favour its client, the client should be advised on other avenues available to solve the dispute, while avoiding the cost of commissioning a full technical report.
Professionals acting as experts, drawn from academia or industry, can be technically very strong yet fail to grasp these ethical imperatives fully. They may also deviate from the standards that must be followed when gathering, evaluating and presenting technical evidence. Experts must be selected not only on their capacity to investigate the technical matters in dispute, but also on their ability to apply the appropriate standards in their analysis and reports.
Questions a Technical Expert Must Answer
There are two essential questions the technical expert must answer: what is the extent of the damage; and what was the cause?
Disputes over damage often involve cracks in concrete or deflections on structures. Any definition of damage and its extent must determine whether the cracking or deflections are excessive or not. For example, after several months of concrete placement, it is possible for concrete to develop cracking as a result of shrinkage and temperature changes. Additionally, in a steel building, the supporting beams for a floor are horizontal, but when the contractor pours the concrete floor, the slab will deflect. The owner of the structure, the designer and contractor responsible for its construction – and their insurers – may differ on what constitutes damage. A technical expert’s opinion must be based on the appropriate standards in each of these cases.
Structural design and construction standards provide guidelines to assure the integrity and durability of a built structure by defining the specifications for materials and how they are used to support its weight and withstand external forces. Structural engineers must ensure their designs meet the safety, resistance and performance requirements of the relevant international and/or national standards and design codes.
Based on the designer’s calculations, the design may meet the code’s requirements. However, a forensic technical expert does not only take account of design and construction codes. When evaluating existing structures, other standards must also be employed, such as the ACI 562 and ASCE 41. There is a significant difference in methodology between standards for designing and measuring a built structure.
Different Standards Apply to Design and Measurement
Design codes and standards use factors of safety to account for the unknowns. These unknowns include variability of loads, properties of materials, and changes in dimensions that commonly occur during the construction process.
The required factors of safety used in design codes are not necessarily applicable when evaluating an existing structure. This has to do with the fact that most of the uncertainty has been removed. The properties of the existing structure can be measured. Variances in the strength of materials used can be assessed and the established geometry can be measured. Experts must then calculate the actual, as opposed to the theoretical, loads experienced within the structure. For example, we have seen experts incorrectly use allowable deflections defined in design standards to evaluate measured deflections on existing buildings.
Various codes set limits for serviceability acceptance criteria. One of these limits relates to allowable deflections within structures. The standards set by the ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers), for example, are widely used not only in the US but internationally. Initially, the ASCE standard specified a total value for the allowable deflection. It was then agreed upon that one limit could not cover all scenarios. The ASCE-7 is a modified standard that includes the evaluation of serviceability of a structure by stating that it refers to a structure’s ability to function as intended, avoiding excessive deformation, vibration or deterioration that could disrupt its use or cause occupant discomfort. In other words, when a structure’s functionality is impaired by the deflections, then this can be considered damage.
How Technical Evidence is Analysed and Reported
Another potential pitfall lies in how technical analysis is conducted and how it is reported. Standards of best practice must apply.
When evaluating technical data, experts must follow the scientific method. This is set out in a previous standard called the US ASTM E678 standard. Although this standard was withdrawn three years ago, the scientific principles it outlined are still widely accepted by the technical expert community. Instead of a direct replacement, guidance on evaluating scientific or technical data in forensic investigation can be now found in the US ASTM E1188 and E1020. Within the US ASTM E678 standard, there are six essential steps detailed as follows: identify the problem; perform inspections, to include gathering measurements and other supporting data such as photographs and aerial or satellite images; generate hypotheses for the potential causes of the damage, which could be extreme rainfall or other weather events or errors in construction and/or design; evaluate each hypothesis in turn, experimenting as necessary – by testing sample materials in a laboratory, computer modelling and/or load testing; analyse all the resultant data to determine which hypotheses can be eliminated and which are valid; and draw final conclusions. These findings provide a solid evidence-based foundation for the expert’s opinion.
Having followed a scientific process in evaluating the data, this approach should be reflected in the final product – the technical report. Experts often ignore the value of analysing and considering alternative hypotheses to determine the cause of the damage. In such cases, reports are centred on the expert’s opinions, which could be interpreted as partiality in favour of the expert’s client.
Conclusion
It is important that clients receiving a report confirm that it has followed standard practice for reporting the opinions of scientific or technical experts. The ASTM E620 standard, for example, outlines the essential elements and structure of a technical report. Its aims are to ensure the recipient will understand the report and that its technical aspects are relevant and focused on its intended purpose.
A technical report starts with a brief description of what is being analysed. It then describes the methods used to investigate the different issues, clearly defining the problems. Additionally, the competing claims and relationship of the parties in dispute must be set out. Each plausible hypothesis must be examined and evaluated. Finally, the expert reaches a conclusion based on analysis of his respective data.
A well-structured report provides clarity about the topic at hand and takes its audience into account. Claims handlers, insurance companies and lawyers, while experts in their respective fields, have limited basic knowledge on technical matters. Therefore, technical experts need to practice and develop the writing skills necessary to provide a concise and clear technical opinion for the reader at hand. Experts have a responsibility to their audience to concisely explain the rationale and logic used in arriving at each conclusion in their reports.
Carlos Turizo is a professional engineer and director at HKA in New York.
HKA Tops Construction Lexology Index Guide for Eighth Consecutive Year, with 90 Experts Recognised
17th June 2025
HKA, the global consultancy renowned for its expertise in risk mitigation, expert witness, dispute resolution, and litigation support services, has once again secured the top spot in the Construction Lexology Index Guide. This marks the firm’s eighth consecutive year at the top of the rankings, maintaining its position as the leading consultancy in its field and further solidifying its reputation for excellence.
The 2025 rankings showcase an outstanding 90 HKA Experts recognised for their leadership, specialist knowledge, and commitment to delivering the highest standards of professional service. The Experts gain recognition for their impressive work on disputes and claims arising from quantum, delay, and technical issues on major projects, reinforcing HKA’s global reputation for precision and reliability in complex cases. This milestone also underscores HKA’s global reach and continued dedication to supporting clients with expert insights across the construction sector.
The Lexology Index rankings are based on a rigorous research process that combines qualitative industry insights with quantitative data analysis. Feedback is gathered from corporate counsel, clients, and leading practitioners, while proprietary datasets are used to validate market perspectives, ensuring a fair and comprehensive evaluation of industry expertise.
Renny Borhan, Partner and Chief Executive Officer of HKA, commented:
“To be recognised for an eighth consecutive year is a testament to the exceptional skill and dedication of our Experts worldwide. A sincere thank you to our clients for their trust, references, and endorsements and congratulations to all 90 of our listed Experts for this well-earned recognition.”
As a market leader in the construction industry, HKA has consistently driven innovation and expertise in complex claims and disputes, providing invaluable support to businesses navigating challenges in complex construction and engineering claims and disputes.
Abeed Ahmad Associate Director | Forensic Accounting & Commercial Damages Sydney, Australia
Abeed is a leader in data analytics and modeling within the forensic accounting industry. He has extensive experience in processing raw data and performing ETL operations to support the preparation of expert reports for litigation purposes. Abeed has contributed to numerous large-scale data processing projects for financial investigations, quantifying economic losses, dispute analysis, business valuations, and compensation calculations.
Abeed has a bachelor’s degree in computer science and several industry certifications in the related fields.
Damien Beven Associate Director | Forensic Accounting & Commercial Damages Sydney, Australia
Damien brings a background in forensic accounting and insolvency, with experience ranging complex financial investigations, loss quantification, and dispute resolution. He has given evidence in the Supreme Court and various tribunals, and understands the importance of presenting clear, well-supported opinions under pressure. Known for his practical approach, Damien works closely with legal teams, business owners and stakeholders to unpack complex financial issues.
Mark Boehm Associate Director | Construction, Claims and Expert Services Perth, Australia
Mark brings significant experience on major projects, including power generation, mining and resources, as well as commercial and luxury residential construction. He uses skills in data analysis and contract interpretation to provide strategic advice to contractors and clients on major projects. His experience includes preparing quantum and delay expert reports for use in arbitration and litigation.
Mark holds a Bachelor of Construction Management, Trade Certificate, Diploma of Building and Construction, and will complete a Master of Laws in Construction Law & Practice in 2025. He is a Registered Building Practitioner with the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety in Western Australia.
Kirsteen Cacchioli Principal | Construction, Claims and Expert Services London, United Kingdom
Kirsteen has over 20 years’ experience in construction dispute resolution, specialising in analysing contractual obligations, conducting commercial reviews, drafting reports and position papers, supporting quantum experts, and preparing documents for all dispute resolution forums. Her experience includes assisting in disputes involving remedial cladding schemes, hospital projects, commercial office developments, motorways and road improvement projects, rail projects and flood alleviation schemes.
Kirsteen has played a pivotal role in managing complex contractual disputes on a variety of construction and infrastructure projects. From residential developments to major hospital projects and infrastructure schemes, she has meticulously reviewed the contractual matrix and project documentation provided in respect of various substantial cost claims and has supported quantum experts in the preparation of expert reports and joint statements for adjudication, arbitration and litigation. Whether working on buildings, industrial & manufacturing, transportation & infrastructure, or power & utilities, Kirsteen has demonstrated a keen analytical ability and a methodical approach to resolving claims. Her contributions ensure well-supported assessments that help shape fair and commercially sound outcomes.
Josh Huff Director | Forensic Accounting & Commercial Damages Washington, DC, United States
Josh Huff is a seasoned cybersecurity professional with deep expertise in cyber threat intelligence, digital forensics, and open-source intelligence (OSINT). Before joining HKA, Josh served as Senior Cyber Security Research Consultant at Wells Fargo for 7 years as part of the Cyber Crime Intelligence Unit (CCIU) and Threat Disruptions team. In that role he investigated fraud, threat actors, and cybercrime tactics targeting the financial sector. With prior experience as a Digital Forensics Analyst and expert witness, he has supported criminal and civil investigations at both private and state levels.
Josh holds multiple GIAC certifications, including GOSI, GCTI, GPEN, and GREM, and he has served as an associate SANS instructor for SEC487: OSINT Gathering and Analysis. He is also an active contributor to the infosec community through his advisory role with the OSINT Curious Project and as co-organizer of ColaSec.org. Known for bridging technical depth with practical investigation skills, Josh continues to educate, mentor, and engage through public speaking at security conferences
Trent La Consultant | Forensic Accounting & Commercial Damages Sydney, Australia
Trent joins our Sydney office as a consultant in the Forensic Accounting and Commercial Damages practice. Prior to starting at HKA, he was an experienced analyst in audit & assurance services at a Big Four accounting firm before taking a gap year as a Working Holiday Visa holder in Japan. From his time as an auditor, Trent has gained extensive accounting and financial reporting knowledge on audit engagements across various industries, working with clients in the private and global market space.
Trent has a Bachelor of Business (Accounting)/Bachelor of Science (Medical Science) from the University of Technology, Sydney and is a full member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.
Michael Lasinski Partner | Forensic Accounting & Commercial Damages Chicago, IL, United States
With over 30 years of experience, Mike brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the firm’s IP practice.
Mike has been appointed as an expert on hundreds of engagements, providing invaluable insights into transactions, valuations, and damages analyses. He has testified in various prestigious courts, including U.S. District Courts, the International Trade Commission, the High Court of Justice of England and Wales, the Chancery Division, state courts, and arbitration proceedings.
Mike is a recognized leader in standard essential patent licensing, willing licensor and licensee analysis, and fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) economic analyses. He has performed licensing and FRAND analysis for cellular, Wi-Fi, video and audio codecs, streaming, and many other standards. Mike has been both a licensing advisor and named expert on dozens of matters concerning standards and FRAND licensing practice and FRAND determination.
Gangjin Li Director | Forensic Technical Services Dallas, TX, United States
Dr. Li is a geotechnical engineer with 15 years of consulting and academic research experience in civil infrastructure. He has worked on over 60 large-scale transportation projects throughout North America, requiring in-depth expertise in geotechnical analysis and design, forensic investigation, opportunity and risk assessments, peer review, and technical report preparation.
Dr. Li’s experience extends to numerical modeling, slope stabilization, and landslide mitigation. He is knowledgeable in the design of spread footings, driven piles, and drilled shafts for bridge and retaining wall foundations; the geotechnical design of earth-retaining structures, including cast-in-place concrete walls, mechanically stabilized earth walls, and sound walls; and short- and long-term settlement analysis for foundations and earth fills.
Additionally, he has conducted seismic hazard evaluations and structural vulnerability assessments and is experienced with constructability reviews, the selection of construction means and methods, and temporary works design.
Sahand Rasouli Technical Director | Forensic Technical Services Birmingham, United Kingdom
Sahand is a highly accomplished Chartered Professional Engineer with a 17-year career in fire engineering. His experience spans across different countries giving him a diverse perspective on fire engineering practices and regulations.
Sahand’s technical skills are wide-ranging, including performance-based fire engineering design, where tailored fire safety solutions are developed to meet unique project needs. He is also adept at consequence modelling, a critical area for assessing the impact of fires on people, property, and the environment. Furthermore, Sahand excels in risk-based analysis, a crucial aspect of fire engineering that involves identifying and mitigating potential fire hazards and vulnerabilities.
In addition to his consultancy work, Sahand has a strong academic background in fire science research, holding a PhD in Fire Engineering that underscores his deep expertise in fire dynamics and behaviour. His research has been shared through peer-reviewed publications and at major scientific and industrial events. Dedicated to knowledge-sharing, Sahand has served as a lecturer of fire safety courses at Masters level and participated at various industry panels.
Wendy Robinson Director | Forensic Accounting & Commercial Damages Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Wendy Robinson is a seasoned leader in eDiscovery, having built and developed practices from the ground up at Deloitte, KPMG, and Accuracy, positioning teams for strong competitive success in the Middle East. She has worked in Forensic Technology for more than 19 years and has assisted legal teams on some of the regions’ most significant commercial disputes and investigations, helping to collate and review vast troves of electronic documentation and communications to pinpoint the relevant material.
Committed to staying at the forefront of technological advancements, Wendy completed a Post-Graduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence in 2023-2024, enhancing her technical knowledge and gaining formal recognition in this evolving field. The practical, up-to-date skills acquired enable her to drive sales and deliver innovative AI-based solutions. She has also successfully led diverse teams of up to 25 professionals, fostering excellence in execution and delivery.
Mark Smith Partner | Advisory Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dr. Mark Smith is a senior infrastructure and construction advisory partner with extensive multinational experience and over 30 years of consulting expertise at the Big 4 firms. He has delivered strategic solutions across a broad range of client needs, including shaping the direction of mega infrastructure programmes, assessing major capital project funding options, and developing analytical frameworks for effective control of large-scale construction projects. Mark has advised governments, fund investors, real estate developers, construction contractors, and multinational conglomerates, providing expert guidance on complex infrastructure challenges.
A recognised leader in infrastructure and capital projects advisory, he has established and led practices across the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East, leveraging his expertise in emerging markets to drive global success.
Over the past four years alone, Mark has played a pivotal role in shaping major infrastructure initiatives across the Middle East. As a Senior Advisor, he has driven the growth of Deloitte’s Infrastructure & Capital Projects practice across seven GCC countries. He has also served as a Strategic Advisor to one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, ensuring effective investment and delivery of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Recognised as a leading expert in mega-projects, Mark has built capabilities and designed organisations to manage large-scale programs. His experience spans global engineering firms, governments, investors, and multinational conglomerates across diverse sectors.
Farhaan Mirza is a Director in our Construction, Claims, and Expert Services team based in Saudi Arabia. He has over 13 years’ experience in claims, project controls, and contracts, specialising in forensic delay analysis and contract management.
We spoke to him about his role, living and working in Saudi Arabia, his interests outside of work, and more.
Tell me about your background.
I am an Engineer with a dual master’s in project management from the University of Warwick and an LLM in Construction Law from Robert Gordon University. I come from a planning background, having moved to the dispute resolution field, where I provide delay and disruption analysis, planning and contract advice, arbitration support, and expert services.
I also hold other certifications, such as the MRICS, MCIArb, and PMP. Most of my career has been in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (my birthplace), focusing on oil and gas, infrastructure, hospitality, and other major capital projects.
Describe a typical week in your role.
A typical week at work is like a whirlwind adventure! I dive into solving challenges for my clients through deep analysis, crafting reports, and juggling meetings that keep things exciting, especially depending on the commissions I’m handling.
My work involves a lot of travel. It’s all about connecting with people from all walks of life, generally across different cities in KSA. I like interacting with clients, collaborating with project teams, and chatting with legal pros as we dig into the details, present our arguments, and negotiate settlements. It’s incredibly rewarding to help navigate complex issues and uncover practical, fair solutions. Every week brings something new, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
How do you and your team contribute to the growth of Saudi?
I was born and raised in Dammam/Khobar, Saudi Arabia – the home of the world’s largest oil company, Saudi Aramco. I grew up in the city where oil was first discovered in Saudi Arabia; therefore, my connection with Saudi Aramco has always been special. It was special for me to work on some major Saudi Aramco projects, particularly Sadara Chemical Company, one of the world’s largest petrochemical plants ever to be built. My role was during the plant’s construction, where I was a lead planning engineer for the construction and commissioning works. I thoroughly enjoyed my role as I built a thoroughly integrated commissioning and start-up systems-based schedule.
I am fortunate to work on major PIF projects such as NEOM, Red Sea, Diriyah, and KAFD. Generally, my role is to lead the HKA teams in providing solutions for our clients related to contractual, delay, and project control issues. We had strong teams, particularly from our KSA office, that assisted me in the project’s delay, disruption, quantum, and contractual analysis.
Through these initiatives and our work, we contribute not just to the success of individual projects but also to Saudi Arabia’s broader transformation into a thriving, diversified economy.
In your opinion, what makes HKA a standout employer?
HKA stands out as an employer for several reasons. What I really appreciate about HKA is the flexibility it gives me to work according to my schedule. It helps me plan my day, which often helps me spend time with my family as needed. The daily flexibility often allows me to pick up my kids from school, which, as a young parent, are priceless moments. Overall, it is a two-way trust that is established between me and HKA’s leadership, which means that you would complete a job if you are needed while on vacation and have the liberty to work in accordance with your own schedule, while the pressure is not so high.
In addition, our KSA team makes HKA a great place to work. Our close-knit team of 25 people in KSA includes people from 11 different nationalities who complement each other. HKA KSA has a wonderful team in KSA.
Everyone has brilliant complementary characteristics, and I learn something from everyone. Husam Gawish, for example, is very easy to talk to, and although he is quite senior to me, he is like a long-lost friend of mine out of college. He is an incredible KSA team leader, making it very easy to work with him! Tim Whealy, on the other hand, exemplifies discipline. Collaborating with him for a few days reveals his remarkable approach and dedication. His influence is profound; simply spending time with him imparts valuable lessons.
What are your passions outside of the office?
Outside of work, I’m passionate about both cars and football. I spend a lot of my free time exploring new cars and staying updated with the latest automotive trends. I’ve been fortunate to own some really good cars, especially living in KSA, which is popular for its obsession with cars. It’s a hobby that helps me detox while also allowing me to connect with fellow enthusiasts. I also participate in local car meets and occasionally help friends with DIY projects, which is always a rewarding challenge.
Football is another major interest of mine. I am a huge Real Madrid supporter. I play in a friendly local league, which keeps me active and sharp. Whether on the field or supporting my favorite teams, football is a big part of my life, and it helps me stay engaged with my community while improving my leadership and communication skills. I looked up to Zinedine Zidane as a teenager, and later Cristiano Ronaldo, who I still adore. It is amazing to see Cristiano play in Saudi Arabia now; I’ve watched him and Messi play live several times. I also witnessed the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar, including the finals at Lusail Stadium.
Over a year ago, I led and played a pivotal role in establishing the alumni community for my former school, International Indian School, Dammam. I am actively involved in managing this alumni community, “IISDians“. This institution is one of the largest schools globally, averaging a strength of 16,000-18,000 students annually. On November 29, 2024, we organized the inaugural alumni reunion in Khobar, which saw the attendance of over 1,200 former students and was live-streamed to an audience of over 19,000 worldwide. The event was honored by the presence of several prominent business figures from KSA, and the highlight was the attendance of Bollywood star, Mr. Suniel Shetty. I am committed to fostering the growth of this alumni community, where we have successfully conducted networking events, sports tournaments, social gatherings, and much more. We aim to uplift each other by forming bonds and providing a platform for ex-students to network and forge new connections that strengthen our community spirit. It is truly heartwarming to witness the bonds and connections that continue to flourish within our community.
Is this career path what you had originally set out to do? As a teenager, what did you want your career to look like?
I was one of those kids who didn’t fully understand business until later in life. However, when I entered the dispute resolution and construction claims field, I quickly realized that this was where I wanted to focus my career. I find great satisfaction in working on construction claims, and given the scale of the construction industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, I have the opportunity to work on some of the most complex and high-profile cases in the world.
Like many others, I had a passion for sports as a teenager. I dreamed of becoming a professional footballer or cricketer, but my interests eventually evolved into my current career path.
What is your favourite thing about living in Dammam/Khobar (Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia)?
My parents moved to Saudi Arabia 45 years ago and have lived in Dammam/Khobar ever since. I was born here, so I naturally consider it my hometown. For those unfamiliar, the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia is centered around Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest company, which employs over 70,000 people.
Al Khobar is known for its modern skyline, bustling waterfront, and proximity to the Arabian Gulf. It’s a key business hub, particularly in the oil and energy sectors, offering a blend of cosmopolitan living with a rich cultural heritage. The city’s picturesque corniche, lively shopping districts, and diverse dining options make it a popular destination for locals and expatriates. I love the Eastern Region for its calm vibe, the friendly people, the food, and the fact that I have all my childhood friends living here as well.
If you would like to find out more about joining HKA, visit our careers page.
HKA promotes 100 colleagues, including seven to its Global Partner Group
8th May 2025
HKA is pleased to announce the promotions of 100 colleagues across our globally integrated business, effective 1 May 2025.
Seven of the 100 colleagues have been welcomed to the Global Partner Group, underscoring their exceptional contributions and leadership within the firm.
The remaining 93 colleagues have been promoted to various roles, reflecting their hard work, professional growth, and significant impact on their teams.
These promotions span multiple departments, showcasing the diverse talent and expertise within HKA, highlighting the firm’s commitment to learning and development, and emphasising our international collaborative workplace.
“I would like to extend my warmest congratulations and appreciation to all of our promoted colleagues, including the seven newest members of our Global Partnership. Our people are the core of our business, and our newly promoted colleagues have demonstrated exceptional performance and represent our high-performing and collaborative culture.
They have also consistently delivered outstanding client service, ensuring that we meet and exceed our clients’ expectations. Their dedication to understanding and addressing client needs has been instrumental in building strong, lasting relationships and driving our success. Please join me in congratulating all of them on their achievement and thanking them for their continued hard work and support.
Renny Borhan, Partner, Chief Executive Officer
Meet the newest members of our Global Partner team
Alex Lee | Forensic Technical Services Glasgow, United Kingdom
Dr Alexander Lee (Alex) is a Chartered Geologist and Scientist with nearly 30 years of experience. He leads dispute services for environment and climate at HKA, handling multi-million-dollar disputes. He and his team provide expert opinions, analysis, and advice on environmental damage claims in litigation and international arbitration. As a Chartered Geologist, European Geologist, and Chartered Scientist, he was named Financier Worldwide’s “Power Player 2023 – exceptional expert” in ESG.
Alex strives to make a unique impact and add value when servicing clients. He is an environmental thought leader, having authored several articles and participated in numerous panel discussions. He holds various industry chair appointments and regularly approves, inputs, and comments on new guidance, proposed standards, and environmental policy.
Hilal Itani | Construction, Claims and Expert Services Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Hilal Itani is a civil engineer with nearly 25 years of experience in the construction and engineering industry. He has extensive experience in live project contract management, including tendering, cost control, pre- and post-contract tasks, and claims preparation. He has managed large-scale projects across various sectors in the Middle East and Asia.
Hilal specialises in identifying and quantifying delays and their broader impacts on project delivery and financial performance. He has provided expert opinion on disputed matters regarding termination, extension of time, and concurrent and culpable delays for various developments.
Igor Corelj | Construction, Claims and Expert Services Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Igor Corelj is a structural engineer and a Chartered Quantity Surveyor with over 18 years of experience in the international construction industry. He has acted as a quantum expert on seventeen occasions (of which he testified four times in arbitration) and has assisted on more than 25 complex engineering and construction arbitration matters, including attendance at multiple hearings. Igor’s experience includes on-site contracting, commercial management of large infrastructure projects at the head office level, and consultancy services at all stages and aspects of the project lifecycle. He has been based in the Middle East since 2009, successfully leading large multidisciplinary teams and working across the whole supply chain, giving him a thorough insight into the diversity of contractual arrangements and the issues arising out of them.
Igor’s expertise includes the valuation of defects, variations, delay, disruption, and termination. He combines detailed technical knowledge, international commercial management experience, and an awareness of legal issues to clearly articulate methodical explanations of key issues. Since 2021, Igor has been recognised as a future leader in several Lexology directories, and recent testimonials say that “Igor is an exceptional quantum expert who excels in the field.”
Jon Scherr | Forensic Accounting and Commercial Damages New York, NY, United States
Jon Scherr is a Certified Fraud Examiner with more than 18 years of investigative experience. Throughout his career, Jon has provided expert investigative advisory services in matters of employee malfeasance, executive breach of fiduciary duties, money laundering, and anti-bribery and corruption. He has also assisted clients with fraud risk mitigation, internal controls, and policies and procedures related to anti-money laundering, anti-terrorist financing, and anti-bribery and corruption.
Jon’s expertise encompasses both domestic and international matters including fraud investigations, forensic accounting matters, bankruptcy related matters, and litigation support. He has conducted corporate and white-collar fraud investigations involving Ponzi schemes, the False Claims Act (FCA), Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), the UK Bribery Act (UKBA), anti-money laundering, and fraud risk mitigation. Jon also provides risk assessments and internal controls evaluations for design and operating effectiveness.
Nader Emile | Construction, Claims and Expert Services Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Nader Emile is a legally qualified civil engineer with nearly 25 years of construction and engineering industry experience. He is an RICS-accredited expert Witness and is named in Lexology Index (formerly WWL) as a Construction Expert in Saudi Arabia. He has achieved the Client Choice recommendation from Lexology Index, with a recent testimonial saying, “Nader has deep experience and understanding in delay analysis methods and techniques.”
Nader has extensive experience in project management, programming and analysis of extension of time claims. He is currently providing claims consulting and delay expert services, including planning advice, forensic delay analysis and arbitration support on a wide range of projects for several clients in the Middle East and North Africa. Nader has also been both party and tribunal appointed as an independent delay expert and has acted as an expert witness providing oral testimony in formal proceedings.
Simon Dean McCarroll | Forensic Technical Services Glasgow, United Kingdom
Simon Dean McCarroll is a civil engineer and an aviation expert with over 25 years of experience. Simon has a wealth of practical and operational knowledge across international aviation projects as both an airport client and a consultant. He has assessed the design and constructability of aviation facilities (particularly in an operational airport environment) and is widely experienced in phased terminal and runway development, and in aircraft pavement maintenance management.
Simon specialises in airport development matters, including aviation projects and design management, airport and airfield engineering, airport operations, terminal simulation, AutoCAD, and PathPlanner-AviPLAN. His diverse experience includes completing projects based in Antarctica with blue ice runways, and projects in the desert amongst sandstorms.
Tal Chelouche | Forensic Accounting and Commercial Damages Los Angeles, CA, United States
Tal Chelouche is a Certified Public Accountant with over 10 years of experience. He has assisted counsel representing plaintiffs and defendants in legal disputes in US state and federal courts, arbitrations in the United States and internationally, and matters outside of litigation, including confidential investigations and pre-litigation disputes.
Tal has consulted on behalf of Fortune 100 companies and others across various industries, including financial services, construction, entertainment, government contracts, manufacturing, oil and gas, real estate, transportation, and renewable energy. He has extensive experience involving lost revenue, lost profits, increased costs, delay and disruption, business valuation, and other economic damages issues. Tal has conducted funds tracing and other forensic accounting analyses, including the investigation and analysis of fraud allegations and the reconstruction of accounting records.
These newly appointed Partners have demonstrated outstanding expertise, dedication, and a strong commitment to HKA’s values and goals. Their leadership will continue to drive the firm’s success and growth.
For more information about HKA, visit hka.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter, @HKAGlobal) and Facebook.
Welcome to our new colleagues – January and February 2025
25th March 2025
In January and February 2025, we welcomed 26 new colleagues to our global team.
This included strengthening our team in Australia with the hiring of Sally Davitt, Ahn Nguyen, Andrew Ross, John Temple-Cole, Victor Ageev, Jacqueline Woods, Adam Smith, and Elizabeth Buchanan.
Victor Ageev Principal | Construction, Claims and Expert Services Perth, Australia
Victor Ageev brings a wealth of expertise and experience to HKA, having built a distinguished career as a project expert across the construction, mining, power generation, and oil and gas industries. He specialises in formal dispute resolution, with expertise in delay and quantum analysis, and has worked on high-profile projects throughout Australia, the Philippines, and South Korea. His extensive experience includes providing independent expert opinion for use in dispute resolution, claims preparation and defence, commercial management, and project controls management.
Victor holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Mining and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Australia, and a Bachelor of Information Technology from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. He also completed a Graduate Certificate in International Arbitration Practice from the College of Laws and holds a Certificate in Quantity Surveying from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Victor is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
Maha Alotaibi Associate Consultant | Construction, Claims and Expert Services Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Maha joins the CCE Team in Riyadh as an Associate Consultant. Her expertise lies in drafting and reviewing construction claims, particularly in quantum aspects and contractual disputes. Over the course of her career, Maha has contributed to a diverse array of projects spanning multiple sectors, consistently demonstrating strong skills in claims analysis and problem-solving.
Outside of work, Maha is passionate about sports, enjoys exploring business and financial markets, and is always on the lookout for new opportunities to grow and excel – both personally and professionally.
Andy Antunez Partner | Forensic Accounting & Commercial Damages Dallas, Texas, United States
Andy Antunez has joined HKA as a Partner in our Digital Forensics and Data Solutions practice. Andy has over 20 years of professional experience in digital forensics, information technology, and security.
His expertise includes leading investigations related to digital forensic collections, data destruction and manipulation, employment issues, fraud, and insider risk. He specializes in matters involving data exfiltration, unauthorized data access, intellectual property theft, and misappropriation of trade secrets.
Andy has practical, hands-on training and expertise providing forensic technology services, including data preservation, digital forensics, electronic discovery, and data analysis. Over the last two decades, Andy has personally imaged over 10,000 computer devices and over 5,000 mobile devices, serving as a computer forensics examiner, expert, neutral, or litigation consultant on more than 500 matters.
Adam Blick Director, Senior Legal Counsel London, United Kingdom
Adam graduated from UCL and Oxford University with a master’s in Ancient Greek and Latin Languages. He has held roles in supporting key stakeholders by executing high-value projects in both the public and private sectors. He also managed litigation and claims matters and provided strategic and tactical advice to ensure future success.
Outside of work, Adam has varied hobbies. He enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing sports such as tennis and martial arts, practicing music, and generally enjoying the activities that London has to offer, such as the various parks and seasonal activities such as ice skating at Somerset House which is down the road from the office!
Elizabeth Buchanan Director | Forensic Accounting & Commercial Damages Sydney, Australia
Elizabeth Buchanan joins as a Director. She has extensive experience in forensic accounting and high-net-worth individual tax in Australia and the United States. She has assisted with the preparation of expert reports submitted in courts in both countries. Elizabeth is a Business Valuation Specialist, and she specialises in the preparation of business valuations, quantification of loss and damages, and conducting financial investigations.
Erin Buck Associate Director | Forensic Accounting & Commercial Damages Dallas, Texas, United States
Erin Buck is a certified public accountant with over 12 years of experience in litigation consulting and financial analysis. She has provided litigation services for cases involving economic damages, valuation disputes, marital dissolution, professional malpractice, and investigations. Given her solid understanding of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and tax basis reporting, Erin has helped clients understand complicated and potentially fraudulent financial transactions. She has also assisted with numerous Internal Revenue Service (IRS) exams and in federal, state, bankruptcy, and U.S. tax courts. Additionally, Erin has performed several due diligence projects for both sellers and buyers in merger and acquisition matters.
Matt Davis Manager | Forensic Accounting & Commercial Damages Houston, Texas, United States
Matt Davis is a litigation consultant and forensic accountant with nine years of experience. Matt has overseen engagements related to fraud examination, mass torts, business valuation, theft of trade secrets, patent infringement, trademark infringement, false advertising, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, and other forms of complex commercial litigation. In connection with such engagements, he has performed analyses to quantify economic damages such as lost profits, unjust enrichment, reasonable royalties, and diminution of business value. In addition, he has been engaged on several consulting matters regarding client product commercialization and viability.
Sally Davitt is a Forensic Accounting and Business Valuation Specialist with over 20 years of experience in forensic accounting. Sally specialises in financial investigations and quantifying economic loss, as well as dispute analysis, business valuation and damages calculations. She works with a wide range of clients – from lawyers and corporates to government regulators and not-for-profits – across various industries. Sally has worked on a number of high-profile investigations and court cases within Australia and in the UK, preparing expert reports and giving evidence. Sally is recognised as a leading Forensic Accountant and has been selected by Lexology Index in Investigations, Consulting – Forensic Accountants and in Australia & New Zealand – Investigations – Forensic Accountants.
Jessica Demirel Billing Analyst EMEA | Finance Warrington, United Kingdom
Jessica has worked in finance-related roles for over 10 years, with 8 of them in the aviation industry.
More recently, she has taken a six-month sabbatical to pursue voluntary work abroad and traveling. Outside of work, Jessica enjoys walking, nature, and cooking. She is a keen photographer and artist.
Tate Dixon Senior Associate Consultant | Forensic Accounting & Commercial Damages Dallas, Texas, United States
Tate Dixon has more than two years of experience supporting intellectual property (IP) litigation related to patent, copyright, and trademark infringement and theft of trade secrets. In addition to calculating economic damages, Tate has performed damages analyses for matters concerning lost profits, reasonable royalties, business valuation, disgorgement/unjust enrichment, and pre- and post-judgment interest. She has also been involved in litigation dealing with corruption, fraud, false advertising, employee misconduct, and breach of contract.
Lesley Hume Payroll Manager EMEA | Finance Warrington, United Kingdom
Lesley Hume is a payroll professional with over 30 years of experience. She has been responsible for managing payroll, benefits, year- end compliance, administering company pension schemes and the implementation of new payroll systems.
Lesley has worked as a consultant in various businesses and performed end to end process evaluation to identify opportunities for process improvement and mitigating risks. She produced regular compliance reports for stakeholders.
Lesley lives in Southport and has two grown up sons and recently became granny to her first grandchild Phoebe.
Edward Millinger Managing Consultant | Forensic Accounting & Commercial Damages London, United Kingdom
Ed is an economist with three years of experience in economic consulting. He has a bachelor’s degree in industrial Economics from the University of Nottingham and a master’s degree in Economics from Durham University.
His experience includes competition damages matters, disputes, and securities litigation in a range of sectors, including consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, and financial services.
Outside of work, Ed enjoys travelling, filming, and keeping fit at the gym, through triathlon, or on the bouldering wall.
Elliot Newsholme Senior Finance Business Partner Warrington, United Kingdom
Elliot is an ICAWE Chartered Accountant who gained professional experience in corporate tax at a Big 4 professional service firm and accounting at a wealth management practice.
He has experience in Business partnering across key stakeholders, providing financial outlooks and perspectives on operational and strategic decision-making, financial modelling and forecasting, and data analysis.
Elliot is an avid golfer and plays football, badminton, and padel tennis outside of work. He enjoys music, attending festivals (Glastonbury), and spending time with his family, friends, and new dog!
Anh Nguyen Partner | Forensic Accounting & Commercial Damages Sydney, Australia
Anh Nguyen has 15 years of experience in forensic accounting and valuation services. Anh is a seasoned professional who excels in quantifying damages, class actions, valuation and taxation engagements. He has appeared as an expert in numerous legal matters, including cases in the Supreme Court of NSW and the Federal Court of Australia and has also been appointed as a Court Referee by the Supreme Court of NSW. Anh is also a co-author of the Forensic Accounting chapter in the leading Australian textbook on Expert Evidence.
Richard Peters Partner | Forensic Accounting & Commercial Damages Dallas, Texas, United States
Richard Peters is a cybersecurity and crypto asset forensic expert with over 25 years of experience. He has been appointed as an expert on six occasions.
Richard has experience in cybersecurity breaches, security posture assessments, ransomware incidents, and crypto asset investigations. He has managed, performed, and delivered information technology security solutions, including technology risk management, auditing, security assessments, compliance assessments, attack-and-penetration testing services, and security analysis for domestic and international entities in the energy, technology, medical, financial, and manufacturing industries. Richard is knowledgeable in client and server environments, mainframes, databases, applications, and hardware, where he has provided PCI-related services, including PCI DSS assessments and Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV) services.
Richard specialises in penetration testing, cybersecurity breach analysis, crypto tracing, and smart contract security assessments. He has designed, assessed, and tested against multiple security standards and frameworks, including the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 27001/27002, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST CSF and 800 series). Richard has used his considerable penetration testing experience in both the applications, networks, and hardware space and the crypto asset, currency, and decentralized finance (DeFi) space for forensics and security assessments.
Henri Prevost Associate Consultant | Forensic Accounting & Commercial Damages Los Angeles, California, United States
Henri Prevost rejoins the Los Angeles office as an Associate Consultant after earning his BA in Economics from Pomona College. Henri brings experience in finance and accounting from his internship in FACD, coupled with his leadership experience from managing several small teams in other engagements. He is thrilled to be starting his professional journey with HKA and looks forward to building strong connections with his colleagues in the years to come.
Andrew Ross Partner | Forensic Accounting & Commercial Damages Sydney, Australia
Andrew Ross has over 35 years of experience in chartered accounting firms, assisting Australian and international clients in complex commercial disputes. Andrew works behind the scenes with legal teams to prepare claims or determine case strategy. Alternatively, he acts as an independent expert, preparing expert reports and giving evidence in courts and tribunals. Andrew is recognised as a leading Forensic Accountant and has been selected by Lexology Index in Consulting – Forensic Accountants and in Australia & New Zealand – Investigations – Forensic Accountants.
Daniel Schofield Managing Consultant | Construction, Claims and Expert Services Glasgow, United Kingdom
Daniel holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental & civil engineering from Glasgow Caledonian University and is currently undertaking a master’s in construction law at the University of Strathclyde. He has worked on projects in numerous sectors, most recently in Data Centres, Pharmaceutical cleanrooms, and renewables. He has extensive experience preparing and advising on extension of time claims.
He has recently restored a 19th-century cottage using traditional building techniques and materials. He enjoys hillwalking and running when he isn’t covered in lime mortar. He is also a keen reader and likes to sketch and paint.
Adam Smith Principal | Advisory Brisbane, Australia
Adam joins our Brisbane office and brings with him over 20 years of experience across multiple industries, including transport infrastructure, defence, and renewable energy.
Adam is a dynamic and results-driven professional, with extensive experience leading strategic initiatives, shaping commercial and financial strategies, and delivering complex infrastructure projects. He has a proven track record of transforming vision into action by driving operational excellence and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Adam holds a Bachelor of Commerce, is a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA), and holds a Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment. He is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and an Accredited Speaker with the National Speakers Association (Australia).
Francois Spies Technical Director | Forensic Technical Services Glasgow, United Kingdom
Specialising in multi-discipline engineering project management, Francois is a professionally registered construction project manager, construction contract specialist, and dispute resolution practitioner with over 25 years of experience in the heavy engineering project and construction sector, the majority of which has been in the mining and renewable energy sectors.
Outside of work, Francois tries to attend as many motor racing events as possible. He also enjoys travelling with his family, walking, hiking, and general adventure.
John Temple-Cole Partner | Forensic Accounting & Commercial Damages Sydney, Australia
John Temple-Cole is a Forensic Accounting Specialist who has close to 30 years of experience in the forensic field. His expertise includes leading large-scale and complex financial and accounting investigations and disputes, and loss and damages assessments.
John has given evidence in various Australian Courts and tribunals, the High Court of Singapore, and domestic and international arbitration proceedings. John has a working proficiency in both spoken and written Chinese (Mandarin) and is also a Director of the Justice and Equity Centre (formerly the Public Interest Advocacy Centre).
John is recognised as a leading Forensic Accountant and has been selected by Lexology Index as a thought leader in GIR – Investigations Forensic Accountants, and is also selected in Consulting – Forensic Accountants, Australia & New Zealand – Arbitration and Investigations – Forensic Accountants.
Matt Unsworth Managing Consultant | Construction, Claims and Expert Services Warrington, United Kingdom
Matt has over 10 years of experience in the civil engineering industry, working on various projects and disciplines. He has a BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering Degree and is an Incorporated Member of the Institute of Civil Engineers (IEng MICE).
Outside of work, he plays semi-professional rugby league, which takes up most of his spare time. He also likes to keep himself fit and play golf.
Geraint Williams Associate Technical Director | Forensic Technical Services Warrington, United Kingdom
Specialising in contaminated land, Geraint has a background in environmental science and was a guest lecturer at Portsmouth University. One of Geraint’s areas of expertise is per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of contaminants that are subject to increasing litigation.
Geraint previously worked as a consultant for the United Nations Environment Programme in the post-conflict and disaster management branch. He also worked as European Technical Director and Global PFAS Practice Lead for a laboratory.
Geraint’s interests outside of work include football, running, hiking, and playing squash.
Jacqueline Woods Principal | Forensic Accounting & Commercial Damages Sydney, Australia
Jacqueline Woods has joined its rapidly expanding Forensic Accounting and Commercial Damages (FACD) team in Sydney, Australia. Jacqueline brings over 25 years of expertise in forensic accounting, particularly in valuations and loss quantification, bolstering HKA’s capability to address client needs in complex disputes.
Jacqueline’s career spans various sectors, where she has successfully resolved financial disputes in both commercial and personal injury contexts. Her forthright and honest working style aims to assist disputing parties in resolving conflicts without protracted litigation, aligning perfectly with HKA’s commitment to practical and effective solutions.
Jacqueline’s educational credentials include a Master of Accounting and Economics from the University of Dundee, Scotland, and she is a Chartered Accountant. She has been involved in many significant engagements, such as expert determinations for shareholder agreement disputes and financial investigations for transactions fraught with fraud risks. Her pragmatic approach and energetic demeanour will be instrumental in enhancing HKA’s service offerings.
Yuqi Zhang is a construction engineering professional with expertise in structural analysis, project scheduling, and risk management. Yuqi joins HKA’s Calgary office as an Associate Consultant, supporting construction claims analysis and forensic delay investigations. Before joining HKA, Yuqi completed a Master of Engineering in Construction Engineering and Management at the University of Alberta, focusing on automated sequencing in construction scheduling. Yuqi also holds a Master of Science in Structural Engineering from the University of Sheffield, where research included computational modeling, seismic risk assessment, and structural resilience.
Yuqi has previously worked as a Structural Engineer and Civil Engineer, contributing to high-rise structural analysis and municipal infrastructure projects.
Summer Zhao Senior Consultant | Construction, Claims and Expert Services Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Summer joins the CCE quantum team as Senior Consultant. With her versatile background as both a quantity surveyor and a qualified lawyer in China, she has amassed a wealth of experience in the construction industry, excelling in areas such as construction dispute resolution, procurement and contract strategy, and has provided invaluable assistance to quantum experts in arbitration proceedings. Summer has lived and worked in Hong Kong, the UAE, and mainland China where she has contributed significantly to projects throughout the Asia Pacific region and the Middle East.
Summer is an avid traveler and enjoys hiking, as well as exploring new cultures and cuisines.
After decades of stagnation and decline, nuclear power is resurgent. The outlook for the industry is being transformed by climate change policies, shifting energy priorities and technological advances. But delivery of a new generation of nuclear facilities could be compromised unless lessons are learned from past projects and the nuclear sector’s endemic cost and schedule overruns.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts 2025 will mark an all-time high for nuclear power generation as output increases in France, Japanese plants start up again after the pause following the 2011 Fukushima disaster, and commercial reactors begin operations in many markets, including Europe, China, India, and Korea.[1]https://www.iea.org/news/clean-sources-of-generation-are-set-to-cover-all-of-the-world-s-additional-electricity-demand-over-the-next-three-years
In the US too new output is coming online. The first new-builds in 30 years – Vogtle 3 and 4 in Georgia – have entered commercial service. The Palisades plant in Michigan is scheduled to come back online this year after a $2 billion upgrade following its closure in 2022.[2]https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/11-big-wins-nuclear-energy-2024
The US and other governments are supporting this nuclear comeback to meet increased electricity demand and climate goals. Although the new Trump administration has already made moves to drop other low-carbon policy initiatives and funding, nuclear plant licences have been extended, and nuclear projects usually command bipartisan support.[3]https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/the-nuclear-renaissance-why-investors-should-pay-attention
Elsewhere (and in some American states), climate policies will drive nuclear expansion. Nuclear energy must make a growing contribution – alongside renewables – if the world is to decarbonize electricity generation. In December 2023, more than 20 countries from four continents at the COP28 climate action summit in Dubai signed a declaration to triple nuclear capacity to achieve global net zero by 2050.[4]https://www.energy.gov/articles/cop28-countries-launch-declaration-triple-nuclear-energy-capacity-2050-recognizing-key
The European Union has given nuclear power the ‘green’ light for funding to promote sustainability.[5]https://www.spglobal.com/en/research-insights/special-reports/is-europe-ready-for-a-nuclear-renaissanceThe transition to clean energy is also enabling China – which plans to double its nuclear capacity by 2030 – to reduce air pollution from coal-powered plants in major cities. Other Asian countries face similar challenges.
As coal is phased out, wind and solar power have become a bigger source of energy, but renewable energy is intermittent in the absence of large-scale battery storage. Nuclear can provide a reliable baseload supply. Having nuclear in the mix can also protect a nation’s energy security. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine highlighted Europe’s dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Meanwhile, the electrification of transport and other industries, and the expansion of data centres running power-hungry AI is stoking demand. In 2024, the International Energy Agency (IEA) reported that electricity consumption by data centres, AI and the cryptocurrency sector could double by 2026. Electrification needs to accelerate rapidly on the IEA’s pathway for net zero by 2050. Electricity’s share in final energy consumption, which was up from 18% in 2015 to 20% in 2023, would approach 30% in 2030.[6]https://www.iea.org/reports/electricity-2024/executive-summary
Big Tech as well as some other industrial users and governments are willing to pay a premium for secure, low-carbon power. In the US, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft have struck high-value purchase agreements with nuclear generators. The energy will be supplied by a mixture of currently operating and recommissioned plants and a new generation of small modular reactors (SMRs).[7]https://spectrum.ieee.org/nuclear-powered-data-center
Microsoft’s 20-year contract (with Constellation, America’s largest nuclear operator) will help restart a mothballed reactor at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania. The facility is expected to produce 835 megawatts of power to offset Microsoft’s data centre electricity needs.[8]https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/constellation-orders-100-million-transformer-three-mile-island-restart-2024-10-16/Amazon and Google are also investing in start-ups developing SMRs,[9]https://x-energy.com/media/news-releases/amazon-invests-in-x-energy-to-support-advanced-small-modular-nuclear-reactors-and-expand-carbon-free-power; … Continue reading while Meta has released requests for proposals from providers of 1-4 gigawatts of nuclear generation capacity to power data centres needed for AI.
SMRs – small, modular and repeatable?
With outputs up to 300 megawatts, SMRs promise a more flexible and affordable nuclear option for supplanting fossil fuel power stations. Conventional larger-scale nuclear reactors can be challenged by their upfront capital costs and construction timelines. Some are projecting that building SMRs could take less than half the construction time for large reactors.[10]https://www.idtechex.com/en/research-article/how-long-until-small-modular-reactors-make-an-impact-on-energy-grids/29549 Manufacturing modules in controlled factory settings may increase efficiency and assure quality. Modular designs also allow capacity to be increased incrementally, further reducing financing risk.
Apart from American SMR-powered nuclear submarines, the first SMR units are already operating in China and Russia. As with solar and wind technology, China gained an advantage on the West in SMR nuclear technology, while Russia leads in SMR fuel production. The US government and companies have been investing in SMR technology to catch up.[11]https://edition.cnn.com/2024/02/01/climate/nuclear-small-modular-reactors-us-russia-china-climate-solution-intl/index.html
Other countries – including Canada and the UK – are also backing SMR technology and its export potential.[12]https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-fuel-cycle/nuclear-power-reactors/small-nuclear-power-reactors Some years away from commercial scale, there are said to be more than 80 SMR designs using diverse technologies at different stages of development globally.[13]https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/what-are-small-modular-reactors-smrs Demonstration projects later this decade could pave the way for a rollout of commercial SMR fleets beginning in the 2030s.[14]https://www.idtechex.com/en/research-article/how-long-until-small-modular-reactors-make-an-impact-on-energy-grids/29549
Our global experience of major nuclear engineering and construction projects – and other sectors (including shipbuilding) – teaches caution.
Early SMRs will be first-of-a-kind projects with the associated risks and uncertainties that entails. In 2023 the first planned SMR in the US was cancelled due to rising construction costs and an electricity price uncompetitive with wind and solar.[16]https://spectrum.ieee.org/small-modular-reactors-nuscale Costs and delays could arise as the industry adapts to new designs and processes. This may also apply to the new generation of ‘advanced nuclear reactors’ using futuristic technologies (that some SMRs may leverage), such as molten salt, high-temperature gas cooling and sodium cooling, and travelling wave designs.[17]https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/the-nuclear-renaissance-why-investors-should-pay-attention
Also, shorter SMR construction schedules do not guarantee programme certainty. Building a downsized reactor is still a complex capital project. Units should be easier to deploy – on brownfield sites of retired coal-fired plants, for example, or off-grid to provide power or heat to industry. Every location has unique features that can challenge contractors, however.
HKA’s integrated research programme CRUX, which analyses the incidence and causes of claims and disputes, confirms the comparatively poor record of nuclear projects. Over the seven-year timeframe to 2024, disputed costs averaged 62.8% of budgeted capital expenditure on 27 nuclear projects in seven countries. This was notably higher than for power stations fuelled by fossil fuels (74 projects in total, in 32 countries), which faced overruns of 40.7%.
The extensions of time claimed by contractors were highest on European nuclear projects – averaging 74% of planned schedules, and three times longer than in the Middle East (the region with the longest overruns for all infrastructure and capital projects).[18]CRUX data for time extensions on US nuclear projects is not cited here as it includes claims for the additional costs of storing spent nuclear due to breach of contract over the federal … Continue reading
Resultant distress may be higher, but most of the main causes of claims and disputes on nuclear projects are shared with other types of construction projects. Change in scope, the primary and near-universal driver of conflict in construction, was nearly twice as likely to affect nuclear projects (34.5%) as fossil power stations.
Another, related cause was late design information (24.1%). Immature designs not only make conflicts and delays during construction more likely, they also make it difficult to verify cost estimates and schedules. Optimism bias is by no means unique to the nuclear sector, but unrealistic budgets and schedules and the significant overruns that result can derail projects.[19]National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2023. Laying the Foundation for New and Advanced Nuclear Reactors in the United States.
Learning the lessons of past failures
Costs have ballooned on EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) contracts for nuclear plant projects around the world. This has often arisen from the civil (non-nuclear) construction element, according to a 2023 US National Academy of Sciences (NAS) report on new nuclear construction.[20]National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2023. Laying the Foundation for New and Advanced Nuclear Reactors in the United States. Global in scope, the report also noted that past studies had cited ‘negative learning for nuclear.’
It is no surprise that most recurrent causes of conflict across the CRUX database of 2,000 projects are also prominent in the nuclear sector. Poor management of subcontractors and their interfaces affected almost one in four nuclear projects (24.1%); and clashes over contract interpretation even more (27.6%).
Alleged bias or failure to cooperate was far more common in nuclear (17.2%) than fossil power (2.9%) projects, perhaps reflecting a greater cultural diversity of project partners, if not sheer complexity.
Part of that complexity arises from the regulatory requirements around nuclear safety. CRUX indicates that nuclear projects were more likely to be affected by late approvals than fossil fuel power stations (20.7% vs. 8.8%) or all non-nuclear power projects
(16.5%). Such delays may be due to the procedures of either/both employers and regulators. Inadequate responses to information requests were also notably more common in the nuclear sector than in the power sector as a whole (20.7% vs. 8.1%). However, poor interface management with third parties was blamed for disputes on a slightly smaller proportion of nuclear than non-nuclear power projects (10.3% vs. 13.2%).
Some argue skills shortages are to be expected in an industry that has been stagnant for many years. The IEA identified investment in human capital as a priority for countries committing to nuclear growth. Utilities have generally not retained the staff needed to execute large nuclear projects. Many megaproject owners rely on outsourced technical expertise, and lack the capacity to oversee projects (which is not unique to the nuclear industry).[21]National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2023. Laying the Foundation for New and Advanced Nuclear Reactors in the United States. Much of the global construction industry suffers from skills gaps and problems with workmanship. The US, for example, has a shortfall in mechanical and electrical engineering talent, as well as critical trades such as welding.
More proactive reactor construction
As much as $1.5 trillion could be invested in the nuclear renaissance through to 2050,[22]https://www.morganstanley.com/ideas/nuclear-energy-investment-outlook-2050 but the scale and unpredictability of construction costs remain a major obstacle. Citing past cost and schedule overruns, an investment analysis of the European nuclear market calls for new frameworks to mitigate the construction risks and attract capital.[23]https://www.spglobal.com/en/research-insights/special-reports/is-europe-ready-for-a-nuclear-renaissance
Our CRUX research and some of the other evidence explored here point to some essential guardrails for new-build nuclear projects.
At the outset, challenge sessions and war gaming can help crystallize the risks and choices for investors, promoters and other stakeholders. Independent checks of cost estimates and schedules by industry experts can mitigate optimism bias. The earlier the design is completed on a project, the fewer associated delays are likely to be encountered, and the greater chance the project will be delivered on time and budget.
A proactive approach by project employers and fairly balanced allocation of risks among the parties will improve risk management and foster more productive working relationships with EPC contractors. Intelligent use of BIM (building information modelling) can enhance coordination and construction management. The potential benefits over the life cycle of both the project and operations may justify the creation of digital twins. During construction, comprehensive risk registers and robust project controls remain essential to keep projects on track.
Notwithstanding new funding models, most nuclear projects worldwide rely on some level of government support – not only financial, but also to address skills shortages and regulatory risk. In the US, for example, the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act recognised the need to fund the training of a new generation of nuclear engineers and fill gaps in other project-critical professions and trades.
Meanwhile, project teams can tailor design processes to align with regulation so that approvals overlap with design progress to minimise hold-ups. The ability to replicate proven SMRs should ease this regulatory burden. International efforts to streamline and harmonise design certification are also encouraging.[24]https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-fuel-cycle/nuclear-power-reactors/advanced-nuclear-power-reactors
At the project level, a proactive approach to engineering and construction will be needed to mitigate risk and avoid past pitfalls, enabling cost-effective delivery of the nuclear renaissance.
About the author
Kim Reome is a specialist in damages analysis in the construction and electric utility industries with over 30 years’ experience. An HKA partner, based in Chicago, she has undertaken more than 40 expert commissions in matters relating to construction damages and delay, quantum, forensic accounting, and commercial damages.
Kim has supported clients from a broad range of sectors including nuclear and other electric power plants and renewable energy, as well as diverse industries ranging from residential and commercial real estate to oil, mining and wastewater treatment.
A Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional and a Certified Fraud Examiner, Kim has acted as an expert for disputed projects on matters in excess of $8 billion.
CRUX data for time extensions on US nuclear projects is not cited here as it includes claims for the additional costs of storing spent nuclear due to breach of contract over the federal government’s failure to provide a central storage facility.
Rebecca Vélez is a Forensic Accounting and Commercial Damages Partner in our Washington, DC office. She has an MBA in Finance and Strategic Management Consulting with over 20 years of experience in damages calculations in both commercial disputes and international arbitrations. Rebecca loves the variability of her work and has testified in both English and Spanish.
We spoke to her about her background, her career, and what she enjoys about her work.
Tell me about your background.
I was born in New York and moved to Puerto Rico – where all my family is from – when I was seven. I stayed in Puerto Rico through the end of high school and came back to the United States for college. I attended Georgetown University, after which I worked at PwC and subsequently pursued a graduate degree at Indiana University.
After I completed my graduate studies, I joined Huron Consulting and worked there for seven years until the disputes practice was sold to Grant Thornton. I went with the sale, but stayed at Grant Thornton for less than a year. I then moved to Credibility International, which was founded when the Huron practice dissipated. I was at Credibility from August 2011 until HKA acquired the company in May 2023.
What attracted you to your specialty?
When I finished my undergraduate work, I did not know whether I wanted to go to business school or law school. I learned about litigation consulting and thought it was a great fit because it would allow me to experience both paths to a certain degree. I was able to crunch the numbers and still work with attorneys a lot of the time. I decided to stay on the numbers side, so I pursued my MBA, after which I returned to the same field because I enjoyed the legal side of the cases as well.
What do you love about the field you work in?
I love that every project I work on is different. While the underlying analysis may be similar, the fact set for each case varies greatly. The fact that I am not industry-specific obviously comes into play here, and I believe I learn something new with each engagement I work on.
What is your favorite thing about supporting clients?
For international arbitrations, it’s at the end of the hearing. There is usually a debriefing, and it’s great to hear how the client feels after you have submitted your reports and provided testimony. Some clients get emotional, and it feels good to have contributed to their reaction.
Is this career path what you had originally set out to do? As a teenager, what did you want your career to look like?
No! I wanted to be an aerospace engineer and maybe even an astronaut. I went to Space Camp twice when I was a kid. I applied to Embry-Riddle, an aeronautical school, but once I learned about the restrictions I would have due to my horrible eyesight – which was so bad that I was classified as legally blind – I decided to do something more ordinary. I am unsure if that was the right decision since my eyesight has somewhat corrected with age, and contacts have come a long way. I could have done it!
What is something about you that might surprise people?
I am Puerto Rican, but I don’t like coffee, not even the smell of it!
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