Two N.Y. Firms Form The Litigation Support Group

New York (Sept. 21, 2004) -- Metro New York area accounting and consulting firms Yohalem Gillman & Co. LLP and Cipolla Sziklay LLC have created a joint venture specializing in providing forensic accounting, valuation and litigation services to middle-market businesses and their attorneys.

The two firms have created The Litigation Support Group LLC, a 20-employee entity in which each owns a 50 percent stake. The new unit, which launches tomorrow, is headed by Yohalem Gillman managing partner Joseph Tarasco and is staffed with certified forensic examiners, certified forensic accountants, in-house attorneys and valuation analysts from both firms. The entity is based in Yohalem's Madison Avenue office.

"Since both firms have similar client bases, we thought it would be a good idea to join forces to capture more of the market," said Heather Cohen, marketing manager for YG, which serves closely held businesses with revenues of $25 million to $400 million and individuals with net worths in of excess of $10 million.

The joint venture offers litigation support services ranging from initial investigation to expert testimony, as well as contract disputes, commercial litigation, mergers and acquisitions, valuations, financial fraud, intellectual property infringement, civil and criminal tax fraud, and white-collar criminal defense.

"Together we can deliver highly specialized services typically found only at much larger firms, while maintaining our midsized firm standards for highly personalized attention to each engagement," said YG chairman Ira Yohalem.

"Working with Yohalem Gillman ... allows us to reach a wider client base and enhance the breadth and depth of our services," added Joseph Cipolla, co-managing member of Cipolla Sziklay.

New York-based Yohalem Gillman & Co., which specializes in tax, assurance, business planning and management, regulatory filings, litigation support, real estate, estate planning, and technology, has a staff of about 100, including 11 partners. West Orange, N.J.-based Cipolla Sziklay provides accounting, tax, consulting, litigation support, and forensic accounting services, and has a staff of 20 professionals in two offices.

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