Dennis Lee

Dennis leads our Forensics & Investigations practice. A hands-on, responsive, detail-oriented leader renowned for his pragmatic and versatile approach to delivering solutions.

Dennis brings a wealth of experience in forensic accounting, business valuations and litigation having dealt with a wide array of disputes over the past 15 years. Dennis’ expertise spans from small business disputes to complex litigation and investigations involving large private companies, family asset pools and ASX-listed parties.

An experienced expert witness, forensic accountant, and litigation specialist, Dennis excels in loss and damage assessments, valuations, forensic accounting, and investigations. He has undertaken numerous independent and consulting expert assignments for a diverse range of legal, government, and private sector clients.

Dennis has prepared reports and provided evidence in many Australian courts, including the Federal Court, Supreme Court of Victoria, Country Court of Victoria, Family Court, and several administrative and arbitral tribunals. Throughout his career, Dennis has prepared hundreds of expert reports, independent accountant reports, or submissions for clients involved in dispute processes.

Dennis has delivered over 80 presentations on accounting, finance, solvency and expert witness reports to law firms and professional associations since 2015.

Areas of expertise

Technical and practice area experience

Business and share valuations in multiple litigation contexts, including shareholder oppression, family law, post-acquisition disputes and compulsory acquisitions.
Completion account and other mergers and acquisitions disputes.
Loss and damage / loss of opportunity assessments.
Solvency reports both for insolvency practitioners and companies facing proceedings.
Experienced in consulting/shadow expert roles assisting advisers and clients through the litigation process, such as submissions, selection of experts and large-volume document review
Employment and workplace matters and financial investigations, including fraud, theft and wage underpayment reviews.
Wills, estates and trust matters.
Insurance matters
Retail, lease and franchise matters

Industries

Retail and hospitality
Franchising
SME’s
Manufacturing
Real estate
Aged care

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Community engagements

Founding member of the Alumni Council for the Faculty of Business and Economics at the University of Melbourne.
Mentor through the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.
Student mentor through the University of Melbourne for over 15 years.
Member of the RMIT University School of Accounting, Information System and Supply Chain Advisory Board.

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Education & Accreditation

Forensic Accounting Specialist (CA ANZ)
Member, Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand (CA ANZ)
Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Finance, The University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Information Systems, The University of Melbourne

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Significant
engagements

Expert valuer

Regularly appointed as a single expert valuer in cases involving private company shareholder disputes (shareholder oppression) and as joint/single valuer for the purpose of family law matters.

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Loss quantification expertise

Regularly appointed in matters involving quantification of loss. Recent examples include quantifying loss suffered by businesses who have been disrupted by various compulsory acquisitions in suburban Melbourne.

Expert witness

Giving testifying evidence multiple courts and arbitral tribunals, including mention in judgments handed down in multiple Australian jurisdictions, including Federal Court, Supreme Court and Country Court.

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Independent and consulting expertise

Assisting with investigations into employee, shareholder and/or director conduct, particularly around allegations of misuse of funds, theft and/or wage underpayment.

Dispute advisory

Preparing submissions to independent accountants or valuers on behalf of purchasers, vendors or parties involved in disputes over the value of a business or working capital/completion account balances.

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