Our Team

For over 40 years, our firm has routinely provided assistance in over 600 arbitrations and mediations, leveraging upon our experience of over 23 years holding both Panel and Chairman positions in the National Association of Securities Dealers Arbitration program.

Our firm specializes in complex marital dissolution and commercial litigation matters presented in Federal, State and District courts. We have participated in hundreds of trials and settlement conferences in the aforementioned Courts. Additionally, we have provided assistance to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") regarding insider-trading litigation matters.

We are family owned and operated since 1978. Our professionalism and experience allow us to provide quality outcomes. Seeking the best interest of our clients and their long term financial endeavors.

William L. Hawes, CPA, FCPA, CFF

Partner

Mr. Hawes is the Chairman of William L. Hawes Company, a Professional Service Corporation that he formed in 1978.

ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

Bachelor of Science in Business [Accounting Emphasis], University of Idaho, 1965
Licensed Certified Public Accountant, 1966. Washington License # 2581
AICPA Business Valuation CEA 1994 / 1995
Forensic Certified Public Accountant, 2006. License #10278
Certified in Financial Forensics, 2008. License #653

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS, AFFILIATIONS AND ACTIVITIES

Member: Washington State Society of Certified Public Accountants [WSCPA]- 1967 to date
Senior Member of WSCPA Ethics Committee - 1974 to 1983
Member: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants [AICPA]-1967 to date
Member: Forensic Certified Public Accountants Society [FCPA] - 2006 to date
Completed Business Valuation CEA Two-Year Certification- 1994 / 1995
Past Member: Arbitration Board Member (Panel and Case Chairman): Financial Industry Regulatory Authority [FINRA] [formerly known as National Association of Securities Dealers -NASD] - 1983 to 2006

WORK HISTORY

After graduating from the University of Idaho in 1965, Mr. Hawes joined the International public accounting firm of Price Waterhouse (now Price Waterhouse Coopers) in the Seattle office. While at Price Waterhouse, Mr. Hawes achieved ranks of Senior Accountant (1968), Audit Manager (1970), and Senior Manager (1974). In 1975, Mr. Hawes formed the Small Business Division of Price Waterhouse in the Seattle Office. This Division was one of the first in the Price Waterhouse firm to deal directly with Personal Financial Planning and Litigation Support Services.

During his tenure at Price Waterhouse, Mr. Hawes worked on client matters in Price Waterhouse offices located in Philadelphia, New York City, Washington DC, St. Louis and San Francisco.

Mr. Hawes left Price Waterhouse in December of 1977 to form William L. Hawes Co. P.S.

Mr. Hawes has been a presenter at numerous continuing education seminars for Seattle University and the American Academy of Matrimony Lawyers (AAML). Mr. Hawes has also served as a special master for King County Superior Court.

Ben Hawes, CPA/ABV, CFF, CDFA, FCPA

President and Managing Partner

Mr. Hawes is responsible for the preparation of various financial statements, analyses and reports involving the valuation of tangible and intangible assets solvency analyses, financial forecasts and other tangible / intangible calculations for closely-held businesses. Additional reports include forensic accountings, including Separate and Community Property tracings, squandered asset analyses and federal / state tax consequence scenarios and pension and retirement plan valuations.

ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration (Concentration in Accounting and Finance), Foster School of Business, University of Washington 1998.
Licensed Certified Public Accountant, 1999. Washington License #20847
Forensic Certified Public Accountant [FCPA] 2006. License #10662
Certified in Financial Forensics[CFF] 2008. License #1930
Accredited Business Valuation [ABV] 2005. License #5153
Certified Divorce Financial Analyst [CDFA] 2011. License #22627.
Member: Forensic Certified Public Accountants Society [FCPA]

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS, AFFILIATIONS AND ACTIVITIES

Member: Washington State Society of Certified Public Accountants [WSCPA]- 2004 to date.
Member: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants [AICPA]-2004 to date.
Member: Forensic Certified Public Accountants Society [FCPA]-2011 to date.
Member: AICPA Accredited in Business Valuation Division [ABV] 2005 to date.
Member: AICPA Certified Financial Forensics Division [CFF] 2008 to date.
Member: Certified Divorce Financial Analyst [CDFA] 2011 to date.
Member: Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists. (ACAMS) 2006.

WORK HISTORY

Mr. Hawes was formally with the Spokane, Seattle and New York offices of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PWC) from 1998 through 2006, attaining the position of Manager in 2003. Mr. Hawes worked both in the Assurance and Advisory service lines, including three years with the Microsoft Team. Example matters of Mr. Hawes' experience while at PwC include:

Debtor/Creditor Restructuring/ Bankruptcy
Consumer Class Action Suits
Patent Litigations
SEC Investigations
Internal Fraud
Royalty Audits
Business Carve Outs
Sarbanes Oxley 404

Mr. Hawes was part of the PWC Business Recovery Services practice working on matters involving "troubled businesses," including investigations, restructuring and bankruptcy matters. His experience included consulting with clients on restructuring businesses, bankruptcy plans of reorganization and disclosure statements, preparation of liquidation and going-concern valuations, financial forecasts, projections and business plans.