Dawna Wright is the Senior Managing Director and Head of Australia Forensic & Litigation Consulting at FTI Consulting and a highly regarded forensic accountant with more than 25 years of experience in auditing, forensic accounting and expert witness work. Having built her career across Big Four firms before specialising in forensic accounting, Dawna regularly assists lawyers, regulators and tribunals in complex commercial disputes, including major construction litigation. 

In this episode, Dawna explains the unique role forensic accountants play in construction disputes, from quantifying loss and damage to working alongside delay experts and quantity surveyors to provide independent expert evidence. She shares practical advice on how lawyers can better brief forensic accountants, discusses the importance of collaboration during expert conclaves and joint reports, and clears up common misconceptions about expert witnesses. The conversation also explores how AI is improving document analysis without replacing expert judgement and why closer collaboration between legal and finance teams is essential for construction companies to manage compliance risks and avoid costly disputes.

Resources and links:

Dawna Wright on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawna-wright-43758415/  

FTI Consulting: https://www.fticonsulting.com/experts/dawna-wright  

Connect:

The Society of Construction Law Australia website: https://www.scl.org.au/

The Society of Construction Law Australia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/society-of-construction-law-australia/

 

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast series are those of the individual contributors and are not necessarily endorsed by the Society of Construction Law Australia (SoCLA). The content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, professional, or other advice. Listeners should consider their own circumstances and seek appropriate advice from qualified professionals before acting on any information contained in this podcast.


This show is produced in collaboration with SoundCartel. Visit soundcartel.com.au for more information.

Dawna Wright is&nbsp;the&nbsp;Senior Managing Director and Head of Australia Forensic &amp; Litigation Consulting&nbsp;at&nbsp;FTI Consulting&nbsp;and&nbsp;a highly regarded forensic accountant with more than 25 years of experience in auditing, forensic&nbsp;accounting&nbsp;and expert witness work. Having built her career across Big Four firms before specialising in forensic accounting, Dawna regularly&nbsp;assists&nbsp;lawyers,&nbsp;regulators&nbsp;and tribunals in complex commercial disputes, including major construction litigation.&nbsp;
In this episode, Dawna explains the unique role forensic accountants play in construction disputes, from quantifying loss and damage to working alongside delay experts and quantity surveyors to provide independent expert evidence. She shares practical advice on how lawyers can better brief forensic accountants, discusses the importance of collaboration during expert conclaves and joint reports, and clears up common misconceptions about expert witnesses. The conversation also explores how AI is improving document analysis without replacing expert judgement&nbsp;and why closer collaboration between legal and finance teams is essential for construction companies to manage compliance risks and avoid costly disputes.
Resources and links:
Dawna Wright&nbsp;on&nbsp;LinkedIn:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawna-wright-43758415/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawna-wright-43758415/</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
FTI Consulting:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fticonsulting.com/experts/dawna-wright">https://www.fticonsulting.com/experts/dawna-wright</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
Connect:
The Society of Construction Law Australia website: <a href="https://www.scl.org.au/">https://www.scl.org.au/</a>
The Society of Construction Law Australia on LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/society-of-construction-law-australia/">https://www.linkedin.com/company/society-of-construction-law-australia/</a>
&nbsp;
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast series are those of the individual contributors and are not necessarily endorsed by the Society of Construction Law Australia (SoCLA). The content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, professional, or other advice. Listeners should consider their own circumstances and seek appropriate advice from qualified professionals before acting on any information contained in this podcast.
 This show is produced in collaboration with <a href="https://soundcartel.com.au/">SoundCartel</a>. Visit soundcartel.com.au for more information.

Building Tomorrow is the official podcast of the Society of Construction Law Australia, bringing together the people shaping Australia's building and construction industry.

Each episode features conversations with leading lawyers, engineers, project managers, developers, academics and industry experts exploring the issues influencing construction today. From construction law, contracts and dispute resolution to infrastructure, sustainability, technology, leadership and innovation, Building Tomorrow examines the challenges and opportunities transforming the Australian construction landscape.

If you're a construction lawyer, engineer, architect, project manager, student or simply interested in the future of Australia's built environment, you'll hear expert perspectives and real-world stories from the professionals driving the industry forward.

New episodes are released every second Tuesday.

Building Tomorrow is the official podcast of the Society of Construction Law Australia, bringing together the people shaping Australia's building and construction industry.
Each episode features conversations with leading lawyers, engineers, project managers, developers, academics and industry experts exploring the issues influencing construction today. From construction law, contracts and dispute resolution to infrastructure, sustainability, technology, leadership and innovation, Building Tomorrow examines the challenges and opportunities transforming the Australian construction landscape.
If&nbsp;you're a construction lawyer, engineer, architect, project manager, student or simply interested in the future of Australia's built environment, you'll&nbsp;hear&nbsp;expert perspectives and real-world stories from the professionals driving the industry forward.
New episodes are released every second Tuesday.

A show exploring the biggest issues in the Australian construction industry.