Most Highly Regarded Firms: Commercial Arbitration Expert Witnesses 2012
Who’s Who Legal identifies the leading expert witnesses in the field of commercial arbitration. The response to our research was very positive, allowing us to expand our list from 59 experts to 82. Not only do these individuals have an outstanding depth of knowledge in their area of expertise, whether it be financial valuation, accountancy or construction, but they are also recognised for their skill in giving expert oral evidence in commercial arbitrations, encompassing examination in chief, cross-examination and, increasingly, witness conferencing.
FTI Consulting maintains its top position in the research, with an impressive 22 listings, eight of which are earned by its subsidiary, Compass Lexecon. David Ashton is the senior managing director in FTI’s forensic and litigation consulting practice, whose work was described to researchers as being “always of the highest standard”. His colleague Mark Bezant has over 20 years’ experience advising on all aspects of business valuation and has given oral evidence on more than 10 occasions. The “exceptional” Howard Rosen heads the firm’s global international arbitration practice. He has been involved exclusively in business valuations, damages quantification, and corporate finance related matters since 1981 and is “definitely one of the best in the business”. Chris Osborne compiles “insightful and helpful” reports and is “very impressive under cross-examination”. Richard Boulton’s practice benefits from his dual qualification and expertise as a commercial law barrister and peers praised him for his “vast knowledge” and “incredible diligence”.
Co-chair of Compass Lexecon’s international arbitration group Manuel Abdala, who is based in the DC office, is “utterly brilliant” and “very experienced”. Jorge Padilla is head of Compass Lexecon Europe and is a prolific author on economics and financial studies issues. He was described by colleagues as “one of the smartest experts around” and is respected for producing “top-notch reports, even at short notice”. Pablo Spiller is commended as “fantastic”. Diego Bondorevsky is vice president of the firm and is based in the Buenos Aires office. His work was described as “first class” and he is considered “a tough expert to find yourself opposing in an arbitration”.
Navigant Consulting performs very well in the research, earning six listings. The “truly outstanding” Brent Kaczmarek was one of the most highly nominated individuals overall. He has “the kind of experience that few experts will amass in a lifetime”, having served as an expert in over 60 international arbitrations. Peter Badala has “a great reputation” and “does fabulous work”. David Saunders is a managing director in the disputes and investigations practice in London. He was praised by colleagues for his “considerable talent and skill”.
Gerry Lagerberg is one of six inclusions from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Described as “fearsomely bright and hard-working”, he leads the international arbitration practice of the forensic services team in London and has extensive experience in the quantification of loss and damage. He has given expert witness evidence before courts or arbitration tribunals, or both, in London, Paris, New York, Stockholm, Toronto, Dubai and Brussels. Peter Clokey is very well regarded for his “first class” oral evidence, which he has given on over 20 occasions.
Will Inglis is listed from Deloitte LLP, along with four other experts. He is the European leader of the international arbitration practice and is “very experienced and really good”.
John Ellison, of KPMG, is the most highly nominated individual in the research overall. Peers described him as “the godfather of expert witnesses” and praised his expertise as “unsurpassed and unsurpassable”.
Philip Haberman leads the dispute services team at Ernst & Young LLP. He has given expert oral evidence on over 30 occasions and was praised by peers who extolled his “quick mind and impressive calm under cross-examination”. Our research also highlighted Andrew Grantham, a managing director of AlixPartners UK LLP, who is regarded as “a top expert” and Timothy Allen of Charles River Associates, who has appeared as an expert in international arbitrations under ICC, LCIA and UNCITRAL rules.