Insights

The importance of the discount rate, and the sensitivity of valuation conclusions to even small changes in the discount rate, requires increased scrutiny of discount rate assumptions by all parties to the dispute.  In normal times, it is important for a valuation professional to bring substantial support for the assumptions and inputs into his/her discount rate calculation. However, during periods of abnormal market conditions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, it becomes even more imperative for valuation professionals to substantiate their assumptions and ensure that inputs are normalized....

In a bankruptcy, financial projections play a significant role in many different aspects of the process. In many cases, the Court’s preference is to rely on management’s projections, as management usually has vast experience within the company. However, there are instances where projections produced by a company’s management are not reliable....

The Michel-Shaked Group, led by Stephen Kempainen, together with affiliated expert Valerie Davisson, provided consulting and expert testimony regarding disclosures made by solar panel manufacturer First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR). After years of litigation and shortly before the trial was to commence, First Solar agreed to pay $350 million to settle the class action lawsuit....

In a bankruptcy, financial projections play a significant role in many different aspects of the process. In many cases, the Court’s preference is to rely on management’s projections, as management usually has vast experience within the company. However, there are instances where projections produced by a company’s management are not reliable....