Helping You and Your Attorney Recover Economic Damages

Using a versatile team of experienced professionals, a state-of-the-art library and specially designed electronic databases, Hancock Firm finds the most effective path to deliver the true facts, whatever the industry.

Our commercial litigation services focus primarily on two types of economic damages: lost profits and lost business value, either full or partial.

Other commercial issues we assist with include lost wages, financial malfeasance, and unjust enrichment (when no express contract exists). More of our specialty offerings are outlined below.

Whatever your situation, Hancock Firm provides unbiased opinions that sustain scrutiny.

Shareholder and partner disputes

These may arise from a disagreement over the direction of the business, fiduciary mismanagement, a violation of the shareholder agreement, shareholder oppression, or inequitable compensation.

Estate/gift disputes

Whether it is the Internal Revenue Service or other beneficiaries to your loved ones’ estate, Hancock Firm provides the financial expertise to assist in defending or pursuing claims.

Employment disputes

Economic damages could be appropriate in cases of unfair dismissal, pay/bonus/rewards disputes, breach of contract, or other dispute with an employer or business partner.

Intellectual property disputes

IP is as important to a modern company’s value as it is difficult to quantify. We can calculate damages of infringed IP rights based on hypothetical reasonable royalties, or one of the classic Income-Market-Cost approaches.

Business interruption

Recent insurance coverage lawsuits stemming from Covid-19 have proven the importance of being able to put a number on your losses or damages due to an inability to operate.

Valuation of businesses and professional practices

Our experience in valuation includes valuation of stock options, complex financial instruments, company and personal goodwill, contingencies, unusual assets and other investments.

Alter ego

We can help ‘pierce the corporate veil’ or defend your business against allegations through analysis and forensics that track the separateness–or lack thereof–of corporate and individual assets.

  • Bankruptcy litigation restructuring disputes
  • Breach of contract
  • Business tort
  • Insurance and subrogation claims
  • Material adverse change claims and fraudulent conveyance
  • CPA and business valuator standards
  • Dissenting owner and minority oppression actions
  • Disputed mergers and acquisitions
  • Securities and shareholder derivative actions

Commercial Litigation Process

Step 1

Define the Scope

Once you bring us on board, we begin developing our understanding of your case. We meet with you and your legal counsel to review all relevant laws, regulations, and contractual agreements. Together we define the scope of the economic damages analysis so that it aligns with the facts and allegations presented in the case.

Step 2

Assemble Documents

With the scope defined, we begin assembling relevant documents. This may include financial statements, tax returns, invoices, and employment records that will help us identify and categorize the specific economic damages elements relevant to the case.

Step 3

Develop Financial Model

Next, we develop a financial model that will serve as the basis for generating our economic damages estimate. This involves using a variety of accounting techniques and selecting an appropriate projection method to analyze the impact of the alleged wrongdoing on the financial condition of the affected party. We’ll also incorporate any factors that could mitigate the damages, such as efforts by the affected party to minimize losses.

Step 4

Prepare Damage Analysis

Once we have completed our calculations, we prepare a comprehensive economic damages analysis. This report will clearly outline the methodologies used, assumptions made, conclusions drawn, and how the analysis relates to the facts and allegations in the case.

Step 5

Provide Expert Testimony

Whether the case goes to court, arbitration, or mediation, we readily provide expert witness testimony to support your claims, clearly presenting our findings, explaining our methodology, and defending the analysis under cross-examination. We’re also prepared to rebut any opposing economic damages analyses presented by the opposing party’s experts.

Step 6

Assist with Negotiations

Finally, we assist in negotiations if a settlement offer is on the table, including evaluating offers. And we ensure that all documentation related to the economic damages analysis is retained in case it is needed for legal proceedings.

What Our Clients Say

What Our Clients Say

“Shanks & Hauser, L.L.P. and our clients have benefited from the diversity of Hancock Firm, including the up and coming young professionals like Kelly Sullivan and Shea Hancock who have taken the required education and certifications to properly address estate and gift valuations. The varying certifications held by their team members add to the quality of their work product.”

Rick ShanksShanks & Hauser, L.L.P.

“We found the Hancock Firm on an internet search for business valuation firms. We were in need of an impartial assessment of value for business planning. After three involved telephone conversations with Shea Hancock regarding scope of services and fees, we engaged Hancock Firm. Ultimately, we not only discovered our business value but also valuation issues that have helped steer American Disposal to ‘greener pastures.’”

Doug IveyAmerican Disposal Services, Ltd.

We worked with Eric Haverkamp and Hancock Firm on a complex matter involving lost profits within a large eminent domain lawsuit. Hancock Firm’s work exceeded expectations with thorough and well-supported analysis. Eric’s testimony impressed with a rare combination of deep technical expertise and practical explanations that the listener can easily follow. I would not hesitate to recommend him and Hancock Firm for disputes involving financial and valuation issues.

Paul S. RadichManaging Member, The Radich Law Firm, PLLC

Litigation Case Studies

Litigation Case Studies

See how some of our past litigation clients benefited by working with us.

Sunset Nursing Home thumbnail

Sunset Nursing Home

Sunset Nursing Home, Inc. is a nursing home operator based in Clute, Texas. Sunset was founded in 1968 by Norman Clinton and Wyoma Annell. Today,...

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Recent Litigation Projects

Recent Litigation Projects

  • Rob Hancock provided valuation services and expert witness testimony in a dispute involving the value of a failed business venture in the railroad industry.
  • Eric Haverkamp provided forensic accounting and litigation consulting services to determine the amounts embezzled by the CEO of a Houston based construction services company.
  • Rob Hancock and Hancock Firm provided forensic accounting and valuation services in a dispute involving legal malpractice.
  • Shea Hancock and Eric Haverkamp provided valuation and litigation consulting services to assist in the buy out of a shareholder resulting from the shareholders claims against the business’s majority owners.
  • Rob Hancock provided expert witness testimony in arbitration for a global, publicly traded oil field services company. Rob Hancock’s testimony was based on the forensic accounting and valuation services provided by Hancock Firm to determine damages resulting from the alleged misappropriation of trade secrets, fraud, conversion and breach of fiduciary duty.
Contact The Litigation Team

Contact Us

It all starts with a conversation. Contact us by filling out this form or calling our main line to set up a consultation.