Lincoln International Launches Dedicated Disputes Practice to Advise on M&A Disputes and Accounting- and Valuation-Related Expert Matters

Lincoln International, a global investment banking advisory firm, is pleased to announce the launch of its dedicated disputes practice, focused on providing mergers and acquisitions (M&A) dispute resolution and expert advisory services relating to accounting and valuation matters. This new initiative broadens Lincoln’s capabilities to include M&A dispute resolution for working capital, earnouts and representations and warranties claims, as well as expert testimony.

An overwhelming majority of M&A purchase agreements include purchase price adjustment provisions that provide for the purchase price to be adjusted after closing based on working capital true-ups and earnout calculations. These adjustments can have a substantial impact on the final price. Lincoln’s disputes practice specializes in navigating the purchase price adjustment process to protect deal value for both buyers and sellers.

Led by Charles Blank, Managing Director and head of disputes, and supported by Tom Cassidy, Vice President in the disputes practice, the team brings extensive experience serving private equity firms, Fortune 500 companies, founder-sellers and middle market companies. They offer both advisory and neutral arbitration services in M&A-related matters. In addition, leveraging Lincoln’s accounting, valuation and M&A expertise, the disputes practice offers expert services from active industry professionals who have testimony experience in both arbitration and litigation settings.

“Our dedicated disputes practice underscores Lincoln’s commitment to protecting value,” said Charles Blank. “With our team’s deep technical accounting and valuation expertise, coupled with Lincoln’s leading position in the M&A marketplace, we are poised to deliver strategic and effective dispute resolution tailored to our clients’ specific needs.”

Areas of focus for the disputes practice include advising and supporting clients throughout each step of the purchase price adjustment process, including preparing and reviewing closing statements and earnout calculations, drafting dispute notices and supporting clients in presenting positions to neutral accounting arbitrators. The disputes practice leaders also have deep experience serving as neutral accounting arbitrators and will continue to do so with Lincoln. The team will additionally provide litigation and expert testimony in accounting and valuation matters, as well as forensic accounting services.

“We are excited to expand our Valuations & Opinions Group with the addition of the disputes practice,” commented Ron Kahn, Co-head of Lincoln’s Valuation and Opinions Group. “This initiative aligns with our broader strategy to offer comprehensive advisory services that address the evolving needs of our clients in the M&A landscape.”

Lincoln International continues to enhance its service offerings, leveraging deep industry expertise to drive positive client outcomes with lasting impact. For more information on Lincoln’s disputes practice, please contact Charles Blank at cblank@lincolninternational.com or Tom Cassidy at tcassidy@lincolninternational.com.