Economic Research

At Dr. John McGowan LLC, economic research is the foundation of our expert witness practice. We apply rigorous economic and statistical methods to evaluate damages, value businesses, and explain complex financial issues in ways that are both defensible and understandable. Our analyses integrate data from financial records, government statistics, and case-specific evidence, ensuring that every opinion can withstand scrutiny in deposition and trial.

Commercial Damages

We evaluate damages in a wide range of commercial disputes, including breach of contract, business interruption, unfair competition, and intellectual property cases. Our work combines market studies, econometric models, and industry benchmarks to determine lost profits and other measurable harms.

Lost Wages and Lost Earning Capacity

In personal injury and employment cases, we calculate both past and future wage losses, accounting for work-life expectancy, labor market trends, inflation, and fringe benefits. Lost earning capacity analyses consider diminished ability to work over time, drawing on vocational data, statistical life tables, and economic projections.

Life Care Plan and Medical Cost Valuation

We calculate the present value of projected medical and rehabilitation costs using category-specific medical inflation rates. Our analyses incorporate Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) data, ensuring that future costs are measured with precision and supported by authoritative sources.

Forensic Accounting

Our forensic accounting research identifies, documents, and explains irregularities in financial records. Using investigative accounting methods, we reconstruct transactions, trace funds, and detect misstatements or fraud. This work supports claims involving embezzlement, financial mismanagement, and improper reporting.

CPA Standard of Care

We provide expert analysis of whether accountants and auditors adhered to the standards of the profession. This includes evaluation of GAAP/GAAS compliance, adequacy of disclosures, and the reasonableness of accounting judgments in contested matters.

Tax Issues

Our tax-related economic research draws on decades of academic and professional experience. We provide analysis in disputes involving corporate tax provisions, partnership taxation, loss carryforwards, transfer pricing, and IRS or state controversies. Each opinion is grounded in both statutory authority and accepted economic reasoning.

Business Valuation and Goodwill Determination

We conduct business valuations for litigation, shareholder disputes, and mergers. Our methodologies include income-based, market-based, and asset-based approaches, tailored to the circumstances of each case. We also analyze goodwill, separating enterprise goodwill from personal goodwill where appropriate, in alignment with case law and valuation standards.

Piercing the Corporate Veil

Our research examines the economic and operational realities of related-party entities. Using financial analysis and governance review, we evaluate whether companies operated independently or under common control—an essential issue in alter ego and single-employer cases.

Big Data and Data Analytics

We apply advanced data analytics to large, complex datasets in order to uncover patterns, test assumptions, and generate insights not visible through traditional methods. Whether evaluating payroll records, transaction data, or large-scale market information, our methods are designed to transform raw data into clear, reliable evidence.

Age Discrimination and Employment Matters

We provide economic analysis in cases involving alleged age discrimination, wrongful termination, and employment discrimination. This includes evaluation of wage histories, statistical studies of employment patterns, and quantification of economic damages tied to employment practices.

Pension Fund Evaluation and Withdrawal Liability

Our pension analyses consider plan solvency, actuarial assumptions, funding levels, and withdrawal liability. We also provide present value assessments of pension and retirement benefits, incorporating mortality tables and discount rates appropriate for long-term obligations.

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Methodological Foundation

Our economic research relies on methods that are accepted in both academic literature and courtroom practice:

• • Econometric Modeling: Regression, forecasting, and labor market analysis to quantify losses.
  • Present Value Calculations: Discounting future costs and earnings with defensible interest rates.
  • Forensic Analysis: Reconstructing financial records and identifying irregularities.
  • Valuation Standards: Applying recognized business valuation methods (income, market, and asset-based approaches).
  • Data Analytics: Using statistical and computational tools to process large, complex datasets.
  • Actuarial and Statistical Sources: Life tables, BLS, CMS, and other authoritative databases.

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Our Philosophy

Economic research must combine accuracy with clarity. At Dr. John McGowan LLC, we ground every conclusion in sound methodology, documented sources, and professional judgment. We view our role as both technical experts and communicators—translating complex analyses into terms that judges and juries can understand and trust.