When your financial integrity, regulatory exposure or business reputation is at risk, Benesch is the firm you want on your side. With leading litigators, industry knowledge and a nuanced understanding of accounting and reporting standards, we take on and resolve complex financial allegations and disputes.
Benesch represents companies, audit committees, officers and directors, accounting firms, financial institutions and investors in high-value, high-stakes disputes and investigations involving alleged accounting and auditor malpractice, fraudulent financial reporting, business valuation disputes and other matters.
Our team works closely with forensic accountants and valuation experts to develop customized defense strategies that align legal advocacy with financial realities. Our seasoned litigators represent clients through all phases of litigation, from the early phases of an investigation through trial with the courtroom experience, technical knowledge and credibility needed to secure winning verdicts.
Adept at Investigating and Defending All Types of Financial Reporting Allegations
Our team is experienced in investigating and favorably resolving any allegation of accounting and financial reporting misconduct. We have prevailed in:
Defending companies facing allegations of negligence, breach of professional duty and misrepresentation in audit and non-audit services.
Representing clients facing financial reporting fraud claims following whistleblower complaints, SEC investigations, or business failure.
Handling class actions, derivative suits and Section 10(b) claims arising from alleged accounting misstatements.
Representing clients in disputes over business value in mergers, acquisitions, dissolutions and buyouts.
Conducting internal investigations and board-level reporting for accounting and financial disclosure scrutiny and navigating parallel investigations by federal and state regulatory bodies.
Defending the Big Four and regional accounting firms and individual CPAs in disputes relating to engagement letters, scope disputes and indemnification issues.
Cross-Disciplinary Guidance
Clients regularly turn to Benesch for proactive guidance to mitigate litigation risks in transactions. Our litigators collaborate with Benesch’s Corporate, Tax, Securities and White Collar defense teams to guide clients seeking regulatory and transaction advice. Our attorneys help clients navigate complicated financial reporting obligations under GAAP, Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS), International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) standards.
From uncovering fraudulent accounting schemes to defending audit professionals facing multibillion-dollar claims, Benesch delivers results that protect our clients’ business value, build stakeholder trust and preserve our clients’ reputations.
in auditor liability litigation seeking over $3 billion in damages. Secured a directed verdict in favor of the accounting firm following 103 days of trial testimony and argument, with the result affirmed by the state supreme court.
Represented a “Big Four” accounting firm
in securities fraud claims by bondholders and stockholders stemming from disclosure of multibillion-dollar accounting fraud by an audit client. Claims settled following three years of fact discovery.
Represented a cable set-top manufacturer
in a series of securities fraud class actions stemming from disclosure of accounting fraud by a customer. Prevailed on motions to dismiss all claims and all actions.
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