HSSK Group

HSSK names Litigation Consulting Veteran as Managing Director

noemail@hsskgroup.com — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Dallas, Texas (February 2008)---Texas-based Hill Schwartz Spilker Keller LLC (HSSK), a business valuation, litigation consulting and computer forensics firm, announced that Christopher J. Kelly has joined the firm as managing director, litigation consulting group in the Dallas office. Kelly brings to HSSK more than 35 years of experience in litigation consulting, financial and restructuring consulting, and financial institutions. He has been engaged by law firms, corporations and regulatory agencies to provide written reports and testimony in deposition and at trial in local, state and federal bankruptcy courts. For the past 16 years, Kelly has served as a consultant and expert witness, previously as a director for LECG, a global expert services firm, and also as Director of Litigation Consulting Services at Glass & Associates, Inc. As a litigation consultant, his experience includes normal and customary banking practices, standards of care, fiduciary duties, lost profits,...

Computer Forensics Expert Joins HSSK

noemail@hsskgroup.com — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Houston, Texas (February 2008)---Texas-based Hill Schwartz Spilker Keller LLC (HSSK), a business valuation, litigation consulting and computer forensics firm, announced the addition of David A. Greetham as managing director of the computer forensics and e-discovery group, leading a national practice for the Houston and Dallas locations.

Greetham joins HSSK with over a decade of experience in the computer forensics industry, including conducting and leading large scale computer forensics examinations for as many as 12,000 custodians. He has testified as an expert witness on a variety of cases and in five different countries.

Previously Greetham held the position of vice president of electronic evidence for First Advantage Litigation Consulting where he consulted on the largest anti-trust litigation case in U.S. history. His experience spans investigations involving trade secrets, plagiarism, securities, financial mismanagement and a number of other matters.

Greetham was educated at Tong Comprehensive in North England and received his master’s in science in computer forensics at The Defense Academy of the United Kingdom at Cranfield University. He is a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, the Association of British Investigators and the Digital Forensic Research Workshops. Greetham is also a Certified Computer Crime Investigator through the High Tech Crime Network.

Hill Schwartz Spilker Keller LLC (www.hsskgroup.com) is a business valuation, litigation consulting and computer forensics firm whose principals have been serving the corporate, legal and professional communities for over thirty years. The firm has offices in Houston, Dallas and Austin serving clients throughout the United States and internationally. The firm’s computer forensics laboratory in Houston is the nation’s first private computer forensics lab to be accredited by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB).

HSSK is Nation's First Private Computer Forensics Lab Accredited by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board

noemail@hsskgroup.com — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 14:00:00 GMT

HOUSTON, TX (TBD) — Texas-based Hill Schwartz Spilker Keller LLC (HSSK), a business valuation, litigation consulting and computer forensics firm, today announced that their computer forensics lab located in Houston is the first private lab in the U.S. to be accredited by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB). This accreditation confirms that a computer forensics laboratory’s management, operations, personnel, procedures and instruments, physical plant and security procedures meet quality standards set by ASCLD/LAB. HSSK is the only accredited computer forensics lab in Houston and one of two in Texas, with the other being the FBI Regional Cooperative Forensics Lab in Dallas. Nationwide only 16 other computer forensics labs share the ASCLD/LAB designation and all are operated by law enforcement or government agencies. This accreditation underscores HSSK’s commitment to consistently deliver our clients computer forensics...

Firm Expands Computer Forensics & E-Discovery Practice with New Location, Two Senior Consultants

noemail@hsskgroup.com — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 20:00:00 GMT

HOUSTON/DALLAS – To keep pace with fast growing demand, Texas litigation consulting firm Hill Schwartz Spilker Keller LLC (HSSK) has expanded its Houston-based computer forensics and electronic discovery practice to the firm’s Dallas office. In addition, HSSK has added two experienced senior consultants, seasoned e-discovery professional Brian Larsen in Houston and former Department of Defense computer forensics section chief Gilbert G. Moreno in Dallas. Prior to joining HSSK, Brian Larsen most recently worked at Guidance Software, Inc. as a senior consultant. His experience includes providing electronic enterprise-wide discovery services to large corporate and government clients and conducting computer forensic examinations for civil and criminal cases. He has served as an expert witness and provided expert reports on computer forensics evidence. Larsen is an EnCase Certified Examiner (EnCE) and member of the High Technology Crime Investigation Association (HTCIA). ...

Anthony De Benedictis Joins HSSK as a Manager in its Litigation Consulting Practice

noemail@hsskgroup.com — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 15:00:00 GMT

HOUSTON -- Anthony De Benedictis has joined the Houston office of Hill Schwartz Spilker Keller LLC in its litigation consulting practice.

Mr. Benedictis joins HSSK from Robert Grieve International, Inc. where he was involved in operational research and intelligence matters as well as loss mitigation investigations as the result of fraud, negligence and inefficient internal controls.

As a Manager in the litigation consulting practice of HSSK, Mr. DeBenedictis will provide damage calculations, forensic accounting, asset tracing, and fraud investigations for the Firm’s corporate and professional services clients. He will also be responsible for pre-litigation due diligence and business intelligence services.

Mr. DeBenedictis holds a B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting, finance and strategy with a minor in economics. He is a member of the Institute of Management Accountants and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

Hill Schwartz Spilker Keller LLC is a full service fairness, valuation, litigation consulting and computer forensics firm whose principals have been serving the corporate and professional services community for over 30 years. The firm has offices in Houston, Dallas and Austin serving clients throughout the United States and internationally.

HSSK Names Executive Director

noemail@hsskgroup.com — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 15:00:00 GMT

HOUSTON/DALLAS -- Hill Schwartz Spilker Keller LLC has named Mary Beth Monzingo as their new Executive Director. Ms. Monzingo joins HSSK from Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP where she managed the marketing initiatives and business development efforts for the Houston office. Her background includes more than 15 years in the legal and professional services industries as an administrator, consultant and marketing manager.

As Executive Director of HSSK, Ms. Monzingo will oversee all key areas of operations including marketing, finance, technology, human resources, and strategic planning. She will also have practice development responsibilities for the Firm’s Litigation Consulting group.

Hill Schwartz Spilker Keller LLC is a full service fairness, valuation, litigation consulting and computer forensics firm whose principals have been serving the corporate and professional services community for over 30 years. The firm has offices in Houston, Dallas and Austin assisting clients throughout the United States and internationally.

Don Barbo Admitted to HSSK Ownership

noemail@hsskgroup.com — Fri, 17 Feb 2006 21:00:00 GMT

Hill Schwartz Spilker Keller LLC announced today that G. Don Barbo was admitted to the ownership of the Firm as of January 1, 2006. Don is the first new owner in the firm since it was established in 2001 through the merger of the practices of Hill Valuation Group and Schwartz Spilker & Company. Don directs the Firm's healthcare valuation practice, providing business valuation and business consulting services to hospitals, physicians, and healthcare attorneys. He has an extensive background in healthcare valuation engagements involving mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, partnership transactions, leasing arrangements and commercial damages. He is a frequent speaker and author on healthcare related topics and provides expert witness services in litigated matters. Don is a graduate of Texas Tech University and received his MBA from Southern Methodist University. Don is also a Certified Public Accountant and is Accredited in Business Valuations by the American Institute of...

Record Setting Numbers Attend ASA/AICPA Business Valuation Conference

noemail@hsskgroup.com — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 16:00:00 GMT

The American Society of Appraisers (ASA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) hosted their first joint national business valuation conference on Nov. 14–16, 2005, in Las Vegas with attendance of more than 1,650 valuation specialists and business appraisers from the United States and Canada. The three-day conference was the largest business valuation program ever presented by both organizations. It included a comprehensive program with nationally recognized experts who provided practitioners with “how to” information on a wide range and level of valuation topics, as well as current conceptual thinking and issues facing the appraisal industry.

“The record number of attendees at the conference indicates the strong demand for business valuation services,” said James M. Hill Jr., ASA, CPA/ABV, chair of the ASA Business Valuation Committee.

During the conference, ASA and AICPA recognized a number of individuals for exceptional service. Award recipients included:

Scott A. Nammacher, ASA, and Mel H. Abraham, ASA, CPA/ABV, for their diligent work as conference co-chairs

Bruce B. Bingham, ASA; Thomas E. Hilton, ASA, CPA/ABV; Terry J. Allen, ASA, CPA/ABV; and Barry Sziklay, CPA/ABV, for their vision in developing the concept of a joint conference

Terry J. Allen, ASA, CPA/ABV, ASA’s “BV Volunteer of the Year Award”

“The quality and depth of the education offered at the conference, which covered topics ranging from fair value of assets and liabilities, the ins and outs of determining the worth of private equity funds and new regulations governing business combinations, speaks to the excellence of the practitioners who hold designations from these two organizations,” Hill said. “ASA and AICPA are setting a high standard for business appraisal services, and business owners and managers can rely on the accuracy and integrity of the valuation reports they produce.”

HSSK Assists Client to Double in Size

noemail@hsskgroup.com — Thu, 30 Jun 2005 15:00:00 GMT

Southwest Shipyard acquired the Brady Island and Pasadena shipyards of Firstwave Marine, more than doubling the company's barge repair and maintenance capacity. The acquisition also brought to Southwest the capability to build barges and boats as well as repair and maintain boats.

Marc Schwartz, a shareholder with HSSK, has served as a financial advisor to the board of Southwest, including working on this transaction. HSSK assisted Southwest in determining the purchase price, performing due diligence on the acquistion, reviewing the purchase agreements and assisting in addressing accounting issues. HSSK continues to advise Southwest's board following the acquisition.

Ray A. Sheeler Joins HSSK

noemail@hsskgroup.com — Thu, 18 Nov 2004 22:00:00 GMT

Hill Schwartz Spilker Keller LLC today announced that Ray A. Sheeler has joined the firm as a Managing Director resident in the Firm’s Dallas office. Ray has over twenty years of experience providing business valuation and financial and economic consulting services to both closely-held and publicly traded corporations. He is a Certified Public Accountant as well as a Certified Professional Consultant to Management. Ray is also a former CFO and began his career with the Big Eight public accounting firm, Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. He is a graduate of Valparaiso University. Ray will primarily concentrate his practice on serving the valuation and economic consulting needs of Fortune 1000 companies. Hill Schwartz Spilker Keller LLC is a full service business valuation, litigation and economic consulting firm whose principals have been serving the corporate and professional community for the past thirty years. The Firm has offices in Austin, Dallas and Houston, serving clients...

Benefits of A Cost Segregation Study

noemail@hsskgroup.com — Wed, 13 Oct 2004 20:00:00 GMT

Under IRC sects. 1245 and 1250, personal property and certain land improvements may be depreciated over significantly less time than nonresidential real property. This brochure describes in greater detail the benefits of a construction cost study and our approach and qualifications to perform such a study. For more information download

HSSK Cost Segregation.pdf 289.047 KB (289047 bytes)

Computer Forensics and Electronic Data Analysis

noemail@hsskgroup.com — Tue, 12 Oct 2004 17:30:00 GMT

The rapid growth of computers and electronic networks has created unprecedented opportunities and challenges for businesses and those who represent them. Even the smallest computer can retain thousands of pieces of information relating to a business and the personal activities of its employees. The fact that most business documents are now created electronically make the computer an essential component in litigation, fraud examinations, internal employee investigations, internal control testing and compliance matters.

Computer users leave ‘footprints’ of their activity that examiners using the proper methodology can often reveal. This can include recovering deleted files, deleted internet activity, email activity, metadata from documents, evidence of intellectual property theft and non-compliance with company policies. Just as important as finding the information is using sound forensic methodology to preserve the data and the chain of evidence. For attorneys, the task of managing the discovery of electronic information can be one of the most daunting tasks they face. The amount of information available far exceeds any that would have been even available in the days preceding the computer age.

Our professionals can guide you through the complicated and complex process of computer forensics analysis and electronic data discovery using sound forensic methodology which preserves the data and the chain of evidence. For more information download

COMP FORENSICS 9-22-04.pdf 488.09 KB (488090 bytes)

Corporate Overiew:Hill Schwartz Spilker Keller LLC

noemail@hsskgroup.com — Thu, 01 Jan 2004 21:15:00 GMT

Hill Schwartz Spilker Keller LLC ("HSSK") is a full service valuation and litigation consulting practice whose prinicpals have been serving the corporate and professional communities for more than three decades.

This brochure describes in more detail the services the firm offers, the qualifications of its personnel as well as some examples of engagements the firm has worked on. Feel free to call us at one of our offices or email us at info@hsskgroup.com. You may also wish to download the following brochure

Corporate Overview 403.pdf 342.893 KB (342893 bytes)

Personal and Real Property Tax Services

noemail@hsskgroup.com — Wed, 31 Dec 2003 21:15:00 GMT

With real and personal, tangible and intangible property, Hill Schwartz Spilker Keller LLC has the resources and experience to help businesses obtain fair valuations of their taxable property. With seasoned professionals in business, real estate and equipment valuations, we can assist you in all aspects of rendering value, combating over assessments and presenting the case, if necessary.

For more information call us or download the following brochure

Property Tax Services.pdf 242.98 KB (242980 bytes)

Purchase Price Allocation

noemail@hsskgroup.com — Wed, 31 Dec 2003 21:00:00 GMT

With the adoption of SFAS 141 and 142, the allocation of the purchase price in a business acquisition for accounting purposes has become as critically important for financial reporting purposes as it has been for tax reporting purposes.

This brochure discusses the approach to performing the allocation for both types of reporting purposes and our qualifications in this important area of practice. For more information, call us or download the following brochure

Purchase Price Allocations.pdf 290.909 KB (290909 bytes)