2026 Forensic, Litigation & Valuation Services Conference - WEBCAST - 1ST DAY ONLY

Overview

Join us for the Forensic, Litigation & Business Valuation Workshop, part of the 2nd Annual Ledgers & Legends Week, and gain practical insights into today's most pressing issues in business valuation, forensic accounting, litigation support, and financial investigations. Learn from experienced practitioners, explore emerging trends, and strengthen your ability to navigate complex challenges with confidence and clarity.

Additional Highlights to Note

• Join us a day early for Ethics for Public Practice session on Sunday, August 16. 
• Come early for the 2nd Annual Ledgers & Legends Ball on Saturday, August 15 at The Ritz-Carlton, a black-tie optional celebration honoring CPA achievements with live music, dinner, open bar, awards, and an unforgettable evening of connection.

AGENDA

Monday, August 17 
 
8:00 – 8:25 am Registration & Continental Breakfast
 
8:25 am Opening Remarks 
 
8:30 – 9:20 am 
Hot Topics in Valuation and Litigation Services 
Ralph A. Litolff, Jr., CPA/CFF/ABV, CVA, MBA • RAL Forensics, LLC • Metairie, LA 
 
9:20 – 10:35 am 
Overview of AI-Related Valuation Consideration 
Yigal Rechtman, CPA, CFE, CITP, CISM • Rechtman Consulting • Fort Lee, NJ 
This course examines valuation considerations for companies that develop or rely on artificial intelligence technologies. Participants will explore how AI affects key valuation inputs, including intangible assets, revenue sustainability, discount rates, and company-specific risk. The program also reviews the use of AI tools in valuation analysis, including comparable company searches and predictive analytics, while addressing regulatory and ethical issues that may affect defensibility of valuation conclusions. 
 
10:35 – 10:55 am   Break/Visit Exhibitors 
 
10:55 am – 12:10 pm   
Intersection of M&A and Valuation: A Practical Approach  
Jason MacMorran, CPA/ABV/CFF, CVA, MS • EisnerAmper • Baton Rouge, LA 
This session explores how merger and acquisition concepts can inform business valuation, from enterprise value to net working capital and debt-like items. Attendees will gain practical guidance on how valuation principles apply to dealmaking and how dealmaking realities can apply to valuation. 
 
12:10 – 1:10 pm Lunch/Visit Exhibitors 
 
1:10 – 2:00 pm 
The Fraud Landscape 
Det. Michael Shard, CFCI, CCCI, CCCE • St. John Parish Sheriff's Office • Laplace, LA 
This session examines the evolving fraud landscape facing CPAs engaged in forensic litigation support, valuations, and providing expert testimony in all courts of law. This session explores how the dynamic use of artificial intelligence (AI) has reshaped both fraud detection and criminal implementation. AI has been deployed to offer advanced analytics and to automate certain tasks, while keeping the “human in the loop”. AI has also advanced to allow cyber threat actors to enhance their tradecraft by manipulating/falsifying financial records, creating synthetic identities, and the creation of remote employees who are actually deepfakes. These modern threat models still do not preclude the traditional crimes and/or fraud schemes that include contractors, trusted employees, partners with privileged access, and insider threats. Being able to understand these fraud typologies, critical risk vectors, and ways to help work with stakeholders you serve will enhance audit strategies and streamline forensic valuation and litigation. 
 
2:00 – 2:50 pm 
From Clause to Courtroom: Understanding Core Business and Employment Contracts in Damages and Disputes 
Linda Perez Clark, JD • Kean Miller • Baton Rouge, LA
Andrew Mahtook, JD • Kean Miller • New Orleans, LA
Derek Brondum, JD • Kean Miller • Lafayette, LA
 
2:50-3:10 pm Break/Visit Exhibitors 
 
3:10 - 4:00 pm 
Effective Expert Testimony for Jury Trials 
Sean McLaughlin, JD • Kean Miller • New Orleans, LA 
 
4:00 – 4:50 
Expert Witness Pitfalls: A Panel Discussion 
Yigal Rechtman, CPA, CFE, CITP, CISM • Rechtman Consulting • Fort Lee, NJ 
Kevin Willis, CPA, CGMA • Taylor and Willis CPAS and Advisors • Metairie, LA 
Bert Verdigets, CPA, CGMA, MBA, CFE, CFF • Bert F. Verdigets • Kenner, LA 
This live panel discussion will explore practical issues and emerging considerations relevant to virtual education, professional practice, and student-centered implementation. Panelists will share real-world experiences, lessons learned, and strategies that support effective decision-making in dynamic learning environments for Experts in a litigation matter. Through interactive discussion and audience engagement, participants will gain practical insights they can consider applying within their own educational, administrative, or professional roles.