Kingston Smith LLP expands Forensic Accounting Services team

David Epstein and Vanessa Lambert-Smith, assisted by Zakia Chowdhury, have extensive experience in all aspects of forensic accountancy, in particular the assessment of losses arising from Compulsory Purchase Orders.

Forensic accounting partner Moira Hindson said: “I am delighted that our team will benefit from the specialist expertise that David, Vanessa and Zakia can offer in this area, which will enhance the extensive range of forensic services we provide.”

Kingston Smith LLP’s forensic team is involved in a wide range of assignments, including fraud and financial crime investigations and expert witness appointments arising from commercial and valuation disputes and allegations of negligence against auditors and accountants. Partner Daniel Djanogly added: “We are looking forward to working with David, Vanessa and Zakia and are confident that they will make a significant contribution to the team, providing the quality of service that our clients are accustomed to.”

Michael Snyder, senior partner at Kingston Smith LLP, said “We are very pleased to have David, Vanessa and Zakia on board and wish them a successful career with us.”

Notes to editors:

David Epstein joins Kingston Smith’s Forensic Accounting Services team as a consultant. He has over 20 years of forensic accounting and dispute resolution experience including significant experience of valuations, professional negligence claims and business interruption claims – particularly in the financial services sector, and assessment of loss in compulsory purchase matters.

David has represented the acquiring authority to resolve disputes and losses arising from the acquisition of business premises to progress the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, the 2012 Olympic Games and other private developments across the UK. He has also acted for claimants such as fast food restaurants, wholesale and retail stationers and fashion retailers dispossessed by their local authority. His work involves quantifying loss of profits and business valuations across a range of industries.

David is a member of the Compulsory Purchase Association, a founding member of the Expert Witness Institute and a member of the Academy of Experts.

Vanessa Lambert-Smith joins Kingston Smith’s Forensic Accounting Services team as a principal. Vanessa has experience of preparing expert accountancy reports relating to fraud investigations, contractual disputes, business interruption claims, professional negligence cases and share/business valuations across a range of industries. She has particular expertise in fraud investigations and recent cases have included acting for the Ministry of Defence Police Fraud Squad in an alleged procurement fraud, and acting for the claimants in relation to a fraud perpetrated by senior executives concerning a hotel and property development in the Caribbean. She has worked with the acquiring authority and other professional advisers to reach settlements and quantify compensation as a result of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link and the 2012 Olympic Games, as well as other developments in the UK .

Vanessa was recently elected treasurer on the committee of the Compulsory Purchase Association.

Zakia Chowdhury joins Kingston Smith’s Forensic Accounting Services team as a senior with experience of preparing expert accountancy reports relating to contractual disputes, fraud investigations, professional negligence claims, business interruption claims and business valuations across a range of industries. She has been particularly involved in a number of Compulsory Purchase Order compensation claims.

PR enquiries:
Layisha Laypang
Tel: 020 7566 3574
Email: llaypang@kingstonsmith.co.uk