The Future of Investigations: X-Factors

Chairman of Paul, Weiss since 2008, Brad Karp is one of the country’s leading litigators and corporate advisers. Brad has successfully guided numerous Fortune 100 companies, global financial institutions and other companies through “bet the company” litigations, regulatory matters and internal investigations. Prior to being named chairman of the firm, Brad chaired the firm’s Litigation Department. Brad has spent his entire career at Paul, Weiss, beginning as a summer associate.

Brad is described by Chambers as “the best strategic adviser in the business” and “someone who every CEO in America should have on speed dial,” and by The New York Times as “the most connected lawyer in the country.” Brad has earned numerous accolades for his successful client representations and legal achievements and for his role as a leader in the legal profession, the business community and the public interest world. In 2019-20, Brad was recognized by the Financial Times with its Special Achievement Award for his legal achievements and leadership of Paul, Weiss, and was named the “Attorney of the Year,” a “Distinguished Leader,” and a “Trailblazer” by the New York Law Journal, “Litigator of the Year” by The American Lawyer, “Securities Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers, “Banking MVP of the Year” and “Sports MVP of the Year” by Law360, an “Equality Trailblazer” by the National Law Journal, and received the William Nelson Cromwell Award from the New York County Lawyers Association for his “unselfish service to the profession and the community.”

Steven S. McNew is a Senior Managing Director within the Technology practice of FTI Consulting and is based in Houston. In his role, Mr. McNew helps clients evaluate and implement blockchain solutions, and builds cost-effective and defensible strategies to manage data for complex legal and regulatory matters. Mr. McNew is an expert in blockchain, information and data security, complex discovery, and digital forensics.

Mr. McNew completed studies in Blockchain and Cryptocurrency at MIT and has led engagements involving blockchain assessments, pilot projects, and software selection and implementation. He has also led disputes involving issues related to blockchain and various forms of cryptocurrency.

Prior to joining FTI Consulting, Mr. McNew held leadership positions with several legal and technology consulting firms, including Navigant Consulting and Huron Consulting Group. For 31 years, he has applied this expertise by leading thousands of engagements for corporate and law firm clients globally, across numerous industries.

Mr. McNew has served as strategic advisor, consultant, engagement manager, and project manager to corporations of all sizes and their legal counsel in a multitude of matters.

Edward Westerman is the leader of the firm’s Global Investigations Initiative at FTI Consulting. He has more than 20 years of experience providing consulting and expert services regarding forensic accounting investigations, acquisition disputes and financial damages.

Mr. Westerman is often engaged by counsel representing companies and board of director committees to conduct internal investigations in connection with subpoenas, government inquiries, and whistleblower allegations concerning accounting and financial reporting fraud and misappropriation of assets. These projects have been in the US as well as foreign jurisdictions and have pertained to revenue recognition, reserves, stock option granting practices, embezzlement, insider trading, registration issues, bribery, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) and financial reporting disclosures. He has assisted with materiality assessments, financial restatements, and internal control and remediation measures.

In addition, Mr. Westerman is regularly retained in various securities litigation and white-collar defense matters surrounding auditing, technical accounting issues and alleged fraud. Throughout his career, Mr. Westerman has also provided assistance to counsel, buyers and sellers regarding working capital adjustments, post-closing balance sheet adjustments, earn out calculations, and breach of reps and warranties of all sizes, including disputed amounts in excess of a billion dollars. In addition, he has often served as the neutral accounting arbiter adjudicating these disputes.

Mr. Westerman also has significant experience quantifying financial damages in large class action, breach of contract and other commercial disputes.

Mr. Westerman has testified at deposition, arbitration, and state court and has served as an arbiter, special master and third-party neutral in various engagements. During his career, he has participated in numerous speaking panels and other presentations regarding forensic accounting topics.

Prior to joining FTI Consulting, Mr. Westerman was a Managing Director, Leader of the Forensic Accounting practice, and Executive Director of the Litigation, Forensics & Finance business segment of LECG. He was also a Partner in the Forensic Accounting practice of Deloitte.