Alvarez & Marsal Expands Global Forensic and Dispute Services Practice in the Southeast Region

Joe Galanti and Bill Jennings Join as Managing Directors in Atlanta

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Leading independent global professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal announced that Joe Galanti and Bill Jennings have joined the firm’s Global Forensic and Dispute Services practice as managing directors based in Atlanta.

“Having made significant additions to our practice over the past few months, we are continuing to grow to meet increasing demand”

Mr. Galanti brings a strong background in advising counsel and management on complex financial and accounting issues. He has assisted clients with lost profit, working capital and valuation disputes, fraud and FCPA investigations, as well as business interruption, fidelity and residual value insurance claims. With more than 19 years of experience, he has focused on insurance claims and dispute-related services, where he has helped policyholders recover hundreds of millions of dollars of insurance claims and has served as a damages expert in federal, state and international arbitration matters. He has broad industry experience including substantial work in real estate/hospitality, manufacturing, auto leasing, agriculture and life sciences.

With more than 30 years of experience in forensic accounting, investigation, asset recovery, business controls development, public accounting and auditing, Mr. Jennings has worked on hundreds of forensic accounting and investigation assignments. Having provided these services to corporations, government agencies, attorneys and their clients, he has been involved in every aspect of these cases, including strategic planning, detailed analysis and model building, assistance with all phases of discovery, and expert testimony at deposition and trial.

“Insurance recovery and compliance, particularly FCPA compliance, continue to be major focal points for companies in the Southeast region,” said Christopher Grippa, a managing director with A&M’s Global Forensic and Dispute Services practice in Atlanta. “Joe and Bill each bring significant expertise in insurance claims and compliance management, which will be increasingly important as businesses look to identify ways to operate in a new federal regulatory regime.”

“Having made significant additions to our practice over the past few months, we are continuing to grow to meet increasing demand,” said Bryan Ruez, a managing director and the global co-leader of A&M’s Global Forensic and Dispute Services practice. “Joe and Bill bolster our deep bench of talent and will further strengthen our ability to serve clients with a range of complex, high-stakes needs.”

Prior to joining A&M, Mr. Galanti worked at Ernst & Young in their Fraud Investigation & Dispute Services practice for 15 years, including seven years as a principal. Before that, he was a litigation specialist with the law firm of Kaye Scholer LLP in Washington, D.C., where he managed cases and performed financial analyses in litigation and international arbitration matters. He has worked on a variety of engagements including assisting with the recovery of a $30 million business interruption claim for the owner of a Cancun resort damaged by Hurricane Wilma and testifying as a damages expert on behalf of a cruise line in a $1.1 billion suit against the manufacturer of an allegedly defective propulsion system. He has extensive experience assisting clients in Florida, Latin America, and the Caribbean, as he spent 13 years in Miami prior to relocating to Atlanta about two years ago. Mr. Galanti earned a bachelor's degree and a master’s degree in business administration in finance from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He is a CFA charter holder and a Certified Fraud Examiner, and was elected to membership in Beta Gamma Sigma, International Business Honor Society. He has written numerous articles and book chapters on fraud, dispute and insurance claim topics, including the Litigation Services Handbook, Business Interruption: Coverage, Claims and Recovery and The Guide to Investigating Business Fraud.

Mr. Jennings previously spent seven years in Navigant's disputes and investigations practice in Atlanta, where he served as managing director and practice leader. His notable assignments have included: The State of Oregon, et al. v. McKesson HBOC, et al. evidence given at deposition; Cendant Corporation, et al. v. Ernst & Young, LLP, evidence given at deposition; and MC Asset Recovery, LLC v. The Southern Company evidence given at deposition. A graduate of the University of New Orleans, Mr. Jennings also earned a master’s degree in business administration from Auburn University. He is a CPA, CFF, CFE, CSAR and a licensed private detective. In addition, he is a member of the Board of Governors for the Center for Corporate Ethics and Responsibility at Georgia State University, a member of the Advisory Committee for the American Institute for Managing Diversity, a member of the Board of Directors for the Atlanta Chapter of the March of Dimes, and Chairman of the Atlanta 2012 Walk for Babies.

About Alvarez & Marsal

Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) is a global professional services firm specializing in turnaround and interim management, performance improvement and business advisory services. A&M delivers specialist operational, consulting and industry expertise to management and investors seeking to accelerate performance, overcome challenges and maximize value across the corporate and investment lifecycles. Founded in 1983, the firm is known for its distinctive restructuring heritage, hands-on approach and relentless focus on execution and results.

A&M’s Global Forensic and Dispute Services practice sets the standard for delivering results on critical matters. With an increase in the complexity of corporate investigations, regulatory enforcement actions, and high stakes litigation, that ability is more important than ever. From the boardroom to the courtroom, A&M professionals draw on their deep skills and experience in business investigations, litigation consulting, forensic technology, and expert testimony to provide clients with the solutions they seek to achieve their goals.

To learn more, visit www.alvarezandmarsal.com.

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