AI-Driven Digital Investigations Workflow In investigations requiring eDiscovery and digital forensics, AI can be a powerful complementary tool. It enables the analysis of digital information in ways that are both efficient and insightful. This article explores practical recommendations and processes for implementing AI in digital investigations and their workflows. Introduction When most people think of Artificial Intelligence (AI), they often envision Generative AI (Gen-AI) tools that create content (such as images, videos, or text) or imagine futuristic scenarios involving intelligent robots or dystopian worlds where AI becomes self-aware, like Skynet and the T-800 from Terminator. While these ideas are fascinating,…
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What to Say Instead In sales, the wrong choice of words can erode trust, weaken your authority, and even cost you the project. The author shares what phrases undermine one’s expertise and offers suggestions on what to say instead. In sales (and that’s what you’re doing when you try to close a project with a prospect), every word matters. The wrong choice of words can erode trust, weaken your authority, and even cost you the project. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering why some prospects ghost you, it could be your language. So here are five words/phrases that—if you’re using—you…
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A Comprehensive Framework for Risk Assessment and Methodical Adjustments The escalation of global trade tensions and tariff implementations in 2025 has altered the business valuation landscape and created additional challenges for valuation professionals and stakeholders. Using a multi-factor risk assessment model combined with adjusted valuation methodologies, the author shows how tariff exposure significantly impacts enterprise values across industries. Introduction The global trade environment has undergone dramatic transformation since 2025. The implementation of sweeping tariff policies that has altered cost structures, competitive dynamics, and risk profiles across industries. The weighted average U.S. tariff rate has surged from 2.2% to over 17%…
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Joined by More Cockroaches The recent collapses of First Brands, Tricolor, and other financially distressed companies remind appraisers that inaccuracies in financial reporting can impact the credibility of the calculation or conclusion of value. When industries undergo rapid change, the appraiser’s role could be not only to interpret market data, but also to verify the truth of the financial foundation upon which that data rests. This author shares when and why a forensic accounting engagement is advisable before preparing a business valuation. Introduction Recent news about cockroaches includes pest-related issues like an infestation at a Florida cafe and a San…
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Dewberry Group, Inc. v. Dewberry Engineers, Inc.—Constraints Using Disgorgement In 1946, the United States Congress enacted the Lanham Act to create a registry and provide protections for certain forms of intellectual property and protect consumers from unfair competition. Damages arising from Lanham Act claims can be severe. In Dewberry Group, Inc. v. Dewberry Engineers Inc., an unusually unified Supreme Court addressed how disgorgement can be constrained. In 1946, the United States Congress enacted the Lanham Act (15 U.S.C. §§1051 et seq.) (the “Act”) to create a registry and provide protections for certain forms of intellectual property and protect consumers from…
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A Business Valuation Expert’s Perspective Drawing from a presentation at the 2025 NACVA BVFL Super Conference by Glenn Block and Greg Clark, this article explores key elements of effective engagement letters, common pitfalls, and practical examples to guide valuation experts in crafting robust agreements. In the ever-evolving landscape of business valuation and forensic accounting, engagement letters serve as a cornerstone of professional practice. As highlighted in the 2025 NACVA presentation by Glenn Block and Greg Clark, these documents are not mere formalities. Rather, they are strategic tools that can protect practitioners, clarify expectations, and ensure compliance with professional standards. Drawing…