Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) has expanded its Global Forensic and Dispute Services group with the addition of two senior professionals based in Houston. David Leathers, who advises clients on the economic, valuation and accounting issues that arise during transactions, disputes and investigations, has joined A&M as a Managing Director. Jane Kidd, an economic expert focused on energy disputes, has joined as a Senior Director.
With more than 20 years of experience and a special emphasis on the technology and energy sectors, Leathers advises companies, boards of directors and legal counsel on the valuation of business and intellectual property (IP) assets in connection with licensing and joint venture transactions, commercial disputes, capital raising efforts, mergers and acquisitions, and inter-company transactions. He has significant experience in the oil and gas industry, having advised on matters involving oil field services, drilling, refining, transportation, and crude oil trading and exchanges agreements. He has also testified in both federal and state courts around the U.S., as well as in arbitration matters.
Kidd, who brings 15 years of economic research and consulting experience, advises corporate clients, law firms and government agencies on a wide variety of economic issues in disputes concerning the petroleum, natural gas and electric power industries. Her expertise includes valuation, market power, lost profits, disgorgement, merger analysis and regulatory impact. She has served as an economic expert in federal and state court and arbitration proceedings.
“Financial disputes over asset values in connection with transactions and contracts have continued to rise, particularly in the rapidly changing energy and technology sectors,” said Bill Abington, Managing Director and member of A&M’s Executive Committee. “The arrival of these two talented and deeply experienced professionals expands A&M’s global expertise in technology, and adds to its already deep strength in the energy industry.”
Prior to joining A&M, Leathers led the legal and economic advisory practice for a global boutique consulting firm. Previously, he was a Managing Director with Huron Consulting Group, served as a Vice President with Charles River Associates, and was a Principal and Senior Consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers. Earlier in his career, he held various financial, accounting and management positions in the banking industry.
Leathers has participated in license negotiations for technologies ranging from semiconductor manufacturing to protein therapy, and is often asked to provide expert testimony on issues related to lost profits, business and intellectual property valuation, reasonable royalties, misappropriation of trade secrets, shareholder disputes, and various oil and gas related contracts. Additionally, he has been retained by boards of directors and special committees to perform financial and forensic investigations regarding allegations of breach of fiduciary responsibility, irregularities, suspected violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and in connection with instances of suspected embezzlement and other related fraudulent activity.
Leathers earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance from the Hankamer School of Business, Baylor University and is an Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) and a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).
Kidd has led many disputes involving oil and natural gas production on private, state, federal and tribal lands. Her analyses span nearly every segment of the oil and gas industry, from exploration and production to refining and marketing. She also has experience navigating economic issues involving electric power and renewable energies and has advised pipelines and utilities about strategic initiatives related to cost of service, rate design and regulatory restructuring.
Before joining A&M, Kidd spent 13 years as an economist with Econ One Research, where she most recently served as Managing Director and Head of the Houston office. She earned a master’s degree in applied economics and bachelor’s degrees in political science and economics from Southern Methodist University. She is a past president of the International Association for Energy Economics (IAEE) Houston Chapter.
About Alvarez & MarsalCompanies, investors and government entities around the world turn to Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) when conventional approaches are not enough to activate change.Privately held since 1983, A&M is a leading global professional services firm that delivers business performance improvement, turnaround management and advisory services to organizations seeking to transform operations, catapult growth and accelerate results through decisive action.