HSSK Group

The Role of Computer Forensics in Family Law Matters

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Introduction The effective implementation of the science of Computer Forensics can, and often is, an extremely effective method in building and collating evidence in family law matters. Many cases of custody and visitation have been solved or modified because of computer evidence recovered by a Computer Forensics expert. Computer Forensics can assist lawyers in many areas including the recovery of financial information, decryption of passwords, recovery of instant messages and archived data for example. In this paper, three particular areas of the investigative value of Computer Forensics in family law will be addressed; · The Recovery of Deleted Files · Detailed Internet History · The Recovery of Deleted Email Because so many families are using computers at work and in the home, the analysis of the family or spousal computer should always be considered. Recovery of Deleted Files During family law investigations, the recovery of deleted files can be paramount....

7-Mar-08 5:00 PM

Medical Practice Valuations in Changing Times

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

A Discussion of Key Events and Market Trends Involving Physicians, Their Practices, and the Valuation of Their Business Interests.

For more information click this link: http://hsskgroup.schipul.net/attachments/articles/64/Barbo%20Presentation%20Bernstein%20Conference%20HO.pdf

29-Nov-05 10:00 AM

Valuation Services in Litigated Matters

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

A Discussion of the Nature, Requirements, and Common Challenges Regarding Expert Valuation Services.

For more information click this link: http://hsskgroup.schipul.net/attachments/articles/67/HCA%20Expert%20Witness%20Discussion.pdf.

29-Nov-05 10:00 AM

Be Careful How You Dispose of a Computer, It Can Cost You a Bundle

noemail@hsskgroup.com — Thu, 23 Jun 2005 21:00:00 GMT

Be careful of how you dispose of computers you no longer need. New rules from the FTC impose severe financial penalties for not properly disposing of computer hard drives which contain consumer credit information.

Click here to read the entire PDF addressing "New FTC Rules Impose Significant Penalties for Inappropriate Disposal of Consumer Information."

23-Jun-05 4:00 PM

Refocus Raises Equity Using HSSK Fairness Opinion

noemail@hsskgroup.com — Fri, 11 Mar 2005 19:00:00 GMT

11-Mar-05 2:00 PM

HSSK Transactions

noemail@hsskgroup.com — Thu, 10 Mar 2005 19:00:00 GMT

Click this link to see a number of tombstones highlighting some of the ways we have assisted our clients. Tombstones.pdf 1015.768 KB (1015768 bytes)

10-Mar-05 2:00 PM

Computer Forensics: What is Metadata, Why is it Significant, and How do you Deal with it?

noemail@hsskgroup.com — Tue, 25 Jan 2005 22:00:00 GMT

Metadata, by definition, is data about data, or more simply, electronic data not necessarily seen on a printed document. It describes various characteristics of data, including when and by whom it was created, accessed, or modified. Because it is not normally seen, and some cannot be seen without using special applications, users can inadvertently share confidential information when sending or providing files in electronic forms.

For more information, Metadata 9-30-04

25-Jan-05 4:00 PM

Marc Schwartz Appointed Examiner In Morningstar Bankrupcy

noemail@hsskgroup.com — Thu, 02 Dec 2004 22:00:00 GMT

Marc Schwartz, a name shareholder resident in our Houston office, was appointed as the Examiner in the Morningstar Gas Inc. bankruptcy in Houston. Judge Marving Isgur in appointing Marc transferred control of the debtor's financial affairs to him as well as ordering additional work be performed by the Examiner.

Morningstar, an operater of gas wells in South Texas, filed for bankruptcy protection in September 2003. The Examiner expects to be involved in the administration of the debtor's financial affairs until well into 2005.

Marc Schwartz has served as a bankruptcy trustee in both the Southern and Western Districts of Texas and has served as accountant and financial advisor to Trustees and other parties involved in bankruptcy proceedings in those districts as well as the Northern District of Texas, the Western District of Oklahoma, the Northern District of Illinois and the District of Connecticutt.

2-Dec-04 4:00 PM

HSSK Assists Client To Double In Size

noemail@hsskgroup.com — Wed, 02 Jun 2004 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 finaicial 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.

2-Jun-04 10:00 AM

Hill Schwartz Spilker Keller represents the Centre for Advanced Property Economics at Financial Summit in Toronto, Ontario October 20-24

noemail@hsskgroup.com — Fri, 24 Oct 2003 14:00:00 GMT

Mike Hill, Sr. a named shareholder in the Firm and a member of its Management Committee will be representing the Centre for Advanced Property Economics at the Financial Summit, an international accounting and valuation meeting hosted by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants in Toronto, Ontario from October 20-24. The Summit includes an unprecedented series of joint public meetings by the International Accounting Standards Board, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, and the Canadian Accounting Standards Board. Mike will participate in a roundtable discussion on international valuation and accounting standards and their impact on financial reporting. The purpose of the meetings will be to address such key issues as convergence of accounting principles, accounting for stock-based compensation and revenue recognition. Part of this process will be to address the need for uniform standards when determining the value of amounts presented in financial statements. Mike is...

24-Oct-03 9:00 AM

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). ...

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.

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.

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 Firms 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

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...

Representative Cases

Tue, 13 May 2008 16:16:09 GMT

Mel R. Sweatman and Paz Gas Corp. v. Gulf Energy Marketing, Inc., Coral Energy Holdings, Tejas Coral GP, LLC, Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, LP, Kinder Morgan Inc., Intergen and Tejas Gas Operating, LLC, Intergen (North American) Inc.; No. 02-06-19,059, De Witt County Court, TX (One of the largest top ten verdicts in Texas in 2005 - $444,000,000)
Gulsby Engineering, National American Insurance Co., Bay Ltd, Gulsby-Bay Plant Partners, American Home Assurance Co. v. Gulf Liquids new River Project LLC and Williams Energy Marketing and Trading Co.; No. 2001-48088; Harris County District Court, 215th TX (One of the largest top-ten verdicts in Texas in 2006 - $699,535,037)
Enrico DiPortanova, et al. v. Quintana Petroleum Co., et al.
J. Howard Marshall, III and Vickie Lynn Marshall v. Pierce Marshall, et al.
The Shoshone Tribe of the Wind River Reservation, et al. v. The United States
Blitz Holdings Corp., et al. v. Grant Thornton, L.L.P.
WRT Creditors Liquidation Trust v. KPMG, L.L.P.
@Outcome, Inc. v. Sulzer Medica, Inc. et al.
EpicEdge v. Reliant Resources, Inc. et al.
Coral Petroleum v. Matthew Ratteree

Upcoming Events

Mon, 12 May 2008 20:01:59 GMT

Lunch & Learn CPE Presentation, Audit Failures: A View from the Dark Side Calvetti, Ferguson & Wagner, P.C. May 27, 2008, 12:00 p.m. W. Marc Schwartz Houston, Texas Sponsor, Southwest Healthcare Transactions Conference May 30, 2008 Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas (Las Colinas), Texas Register: www.renaissanceamerican.com download: Event Brochure Co-Presenter, An Update of Key Healthcare Regulatory Issues and their Impact on Valuations Southwest Healthcare Transactions Conference May 30, 2008, 8:30 a.m. Don Barbo Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas (Las Colinas), Texas download: Event Brochure CLE Lunch Presentation, Computer Forensics, Be Informed - Your Adversaries Are! Carrington, Coleman, Sloman & Blumenthal, L.L.P. June 11, 2008 David Greetham Dallas, Texas Sponsor, Association for Accounting Marketing Houston Chapter Luncheon Event June 17, 2008 Del Friscos Houston, Texas Presenter, 2008 CPE Family Conference,...

Our Examiners

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:37:53 GMT

David A. Greetham Managing Director, Computer Forensics & E-Discovery David Greetham is the Managing Director of the Computer Forensics & E-Discovery Group. Prior to joining HSSK, David was Vice President of Electronic Evidence for First Advantage Litigation Consulting where he worked on some of the largest cases in the U.S. He has testified as an expert on many occasions nationally and internationally. Notably, David provided testimony in the landmark Coleman Holdings vs. Morgan Stanley case. David is a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and is a Certified Computer Crime Investigator by the High Tech Crime Network. He is a member of the Association of British Investigators and Digital Forensic Research Workshops (DFRWS). He is a frequent speaker for Bar Association meetings and continuing legal education events. David was educated in the North of England and received further training at The Defense Academy of the...

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:37:02 GMT

In Memory of Christal Wainwright, 1973 - 2008 As a member of our HSSK family for almost a decade, Christal Wainwright will be severely missed and remembered as an integral part of the success of our company. Christal loved her job and she was a huge contributor to the success of the computer forensics practice and in the lab earning accreditation. She was loved and well regarded in her profession and will forever be a part of our family. If desired, donations can be made in Christals honor to the High Technology Crime Investigation Association.

HSSK Homepage 3

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:46:49 GMT

If you are fast approaching a designation deadline and need to know if we can help you, follow the link below to submit case information to us and we will respond to you on the next business day if we have a potential conflict and who we would propose you use from our organization. (learn more)

Click here to learn more
about our business
valuation services

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:43:33 GMT

David A. Greetham dgreetham@hsskgroup.com 5847 San Felipe Suite 3100 Houston, Texas 77057 Direct: 713.341.1708 David Greetham is the Managing Director of the Computer Forensics & E-Discovery Group. Prior to joining HSSK, David was Vice President of Electronic Evidence for First Advantage Litigation Consulting where he worked on some of the largest cases in the U.S. He has testified as an expert on numerous occasions both nationally and internationally. Notably, David provided testimony in the landmark Coleman Holdings vs. Morgan Stanley case. David is a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and is a Certified Computer Crime Investigator by the High Tech Crime Network. He is also a member of the Association of British Investigators and Digital Forensic Research Workshops (DFRWS). He is a frequent speaker for Bar Association meetings...

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 21:12:02 GMT

Don Barbo, CPA/ABV, MBA dbarbo@hsskgroup.com 5001 LBJ Freeway Suite 300 Dallas, Texas 75244 214.741.5360 Ext. 102 Don has a broad background in business valuations with extensive experience in healthcare valuation engagements involving mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, partnership transactions, leasing arrangements, divorces, and commercial damages. He has also served as an expert witness in federal court cases. His healthcare valuation experience includes hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, cardiac catheter centers, imaging centers, and a variety of physician practices. Don has also served as the director of finance for a physician practice management company that provided management services to a variety of physician practices. download: Full Curriculum Vitae [pdf]

Our People

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:12:09 GMT

James M. Hill, FASA, CBA W. Marc Schwartz, CPA, CFE Jeffrey W. Spilker, JD, CPA/ABV Gerald A. Keller, ASA, CBA J. Michael Hill, Jr., ASA, CPA/ABV Don Barbo, CPA/ABV, MBA Bernard T. Beckwith Ed Blair, PhD Herbert L. Lyon, PhD David A. Greetham Christopher J. Kelly, CFE Mary Beth Monzingo Ray A. Sheeler, CPA, DABFA, CPCM Anthony De Benedictis, CFE Lee DeGrasse, CPA Allen Goodrick, ASA, CPA/ABV Robert Mundy, CPA/ABV, CVA David Smith, ASA, CFA Gilbert G. Moreno Christal Wainwright, EnCE Pamela White, CPA/ABV, MBA/MPA Helga Abreu, MBA James W. Killgo, MBA Donald W. McAlpine, MBA Jared A. Millar, AM, CBA Dustin S. Sachs, CCE, EnCE Tim Stuhlreyer, MBA Mitchell Sheaffer, MBA Gregory C. White

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:08:29 GMT

Jared A. Millar, AM, CBA jmillar@hsskgroup.com 5001 LBJ Freeway Suite 300 Dallas, Texas 75244 214.741.5360 Ext. 112 Jared Millar is a Manager of our Valuation Group in the Dallas office. He has provided valuation services in conjunction with financial reporting, estate and gift planning, tax planning, contemplated transactions, corporate planning, litigation and fairness opinions. Specific industry experience includes, but is not limited to, healthcare, retail sales, oil and gas exploration, agriculture, construction, communication, entertainment and professional services. In addition to holding the Certified Business Appraiser designation of the Institute of Business Appraisers, Jared is also an Accredited Member in Business Valuation by the American Society of Appraisers. Jared is a graduate of the Walton School of Business at the...

Construction Litigation

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:07:12 GMT

HSSK has in-depth experience in the construction industry in assisting clients in preparing and prosecuting damages due to delays and other related construction claims. We bring to the construction litigator, experts with previous executive level experience in the construction and development industry. Our construction claims services include:

* Forensic Accounting
* Lost Profits Determination
* Damage Analyses
* Quantification of Economic Losses Related to Construction Delays
& Disruptions
* Electronic Discovery Services for Complex Construction Claims Litigation

Please contact Jeff Spilker, J.D., CPA/ABV for more information at jspilker@hsskgroup.com or at 713.771.5011.