James A. Schaffner, CPA/ABV, CFF, CVA is the principal in charge of valuation and litigation services and a founding partner of Schaffner, Knight, Minnaugh & Company, P.C.

Since the firm's inception in 1995, Jim was the managing principal of the firm. On November 3, 2008, Chuck Knight was named managing principal in order for Jim to devote his full attention to the firm's valuation and litigation services. Under Jim's leadership, the principles of world class service, continuous self-improvement and teamwork became the fabric of our firm, and will continue under Chuck's management.

With over 39 years of experience, Jim's practice is almost exclusively focused on litigation and business valuation. He has been intimately involved in numerous civil and criminal cases during the course of his career.

Jim earned his B.S. degree in Accounting from Gannon University. He is a Certified Public Accountant who is accredited in Business Valuation, and he is a Certified Valuation Analyst. In 2008, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants awarded Jim with the credential of Certified in Financial Forensics.

Jim is a course instructor for the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts. In bankruptcy cases, he has served as a federal examiner in a Chapter 11 case and has successfully completed a background security investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice. Jim has recently been appointed as Plan Administrator in a Chapter 11 Orderly Liquidation case as well.

As a course instructor, Jim has also authored two courses for National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts (NACVA). The mission of the NACVA is to provide resources to members and to enhance their status, credentials, and esteem in the field of performing valuations, financial forensics, and related specialty advisory services.

Throughout his career, Jim has testified in the Court of Common Pleas and Federal Court relating to civil and criminal cases. He has been involved in civil cases related to lost profits, breach of contract, shareholder disputes, income tax, and domestic disputes. He has worked on criminal cases that have included income tax evasion, mortgage fraud, and embezzlement.

Currently, Jim serves as the secretary and member of the Board of Trustees of Millcreek Community Hospital. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership and is presently serving as Chairperson.

He is a past board member of Gannon University, The Erie Community Foundation, the Boys and Girls Club, and the Erie Downtown Improvement District. In 2006, Gannon University's Small Business Development Center honored Jim with the prestigious President Award.

As the senior member and managing principal of Schaffner, Knight, Minnaugh & Company, P.C., Jim has the overall responsibility to ensure that each client receives top quality service from the best of the best.