Today, Secretariat, the global disputes, economics, and expert witness advisory firm, welcomes leading forensic accounting and internal investigations expert Edward Westerman to the firm as Managing Director. Based in San Francisco, Westerman will help drive the strategic expansion of Secretariat’s global Investigations practice, which includes consulting and expert services that address complex business challenges in financial and accounting disputes, governmental and regulatory inquiries, and financial crimes.
In a career spanning more than 25 years, Westerman has earned a stellar reputation as a trusted advisor to legal counsel and boards of directors when handling high-stakes internal investigations and addressing “bet the company” situations. He is regularly retained in connection with investigations involving SEC and DOJ government inquiries, whistleblower allegations concerning accounting and financial reporting fraud, misappropriation of intellectual property and other assets, merger and acquisition fraud, embezzlement, insider trading, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) violations, and public corruption.
“When companies and their counsel are confronted with extraordinary situations that put their reputations and future success on the line, few names are trusted like Ed Westerman,” says Secretariat Managing Director Don Harvey. “Ed’s experience and leadership are second to none when it comes to addressing a broad array of internal investigations. He is exactly the right person to help lead the charge as we grow our team and capabilities in these crucial areas.”
Westerman’s arrival closely follows the addition of senior investigations and regulatory advisory teams based in Dubai, London, and Chicago. He will now help Secretariat expand its global investigations service offerings in key industry verticals, including healthcare, financial services, and technology, as well as develop new services to address areas such as cybersecurity, sanctions, and business intelligence.
“The regulatory risks that organizations and their leaders face today demand swift and precise responses. Secretariat’s experts have built a reputation for quality in helping clients navigate critical situations with integrity and independence,” says Westerman. “I am excited to build upon the investigative capabilities of the firm and be a part of this impressive growth story.”
Before joining Secretariat, Westerman held investigations leadership roles at FTI Consulting. In addition to his role serving outside counsel and boards of directors, he has served in various forensic engagements as an arbiter, court appointed special master, and third-party neutral.
About Secretariat
Secretariat experts are trusted in the highest-stakes legal, risk, and regulatory matters around the world. With more than 500 professionals located in key commercial and arbitration centers, renowned law firms, leading corporations, and influential institutions rely on our disputes, economics, forensics, and data analytics expertise to answer complex business and legal challenges with clarity and confidence. Learn more at www.secretariat-intl.com.
Media Contact:
Nathan Jenks
+1 773 220 8896
njenks@secretariat-intl.com