CMD Auto Dealer, Insurance, & Lending Expert

Specialties & Experience of this Expert Witness

Additional Information

Stuart Landsverk, CMD, is a nationally recognized automotive expert witness with 35+ years in dealership operations and auto finance, holding the prestigious NIADA Certified Master Dealer designation (achieved by <1% of U.S. dealers for ethical excellence and leadership). Since the 1990s, he has scaled multi-location platforms to $30M+ revenue, executed turnarounds, and maintained flawless compliance—providing impartial, data-backed testimony in federal/state cases for plaintiffs and defendants. Key expertise includes automobile industry standards of care, dealership policies/procedures, auto financing/compliance (TILA, Fair Lending, Red Flags Rule), F&I practices, diminished value appraisals, employment disputes (e.g., wrongful termination), fraud/theft prevention, and P&L/financial analysis. He demystifies complex issues with clear, jury-friendly explanations, supported by real-world C-suite experience from salesperson to CEO/Dealer Principal. Recent successes: Employee liability: Analyzed access/training gaps in a hit-and-run case, contributing to $3.34M settlement and policy reforms. Consumer fraud: Evaluated GAP insurance and contracts, leading to rescissions and refunds. Diminished value: Delivered market-based reports, increasing payouts by 20-30%. Trademark/operations: Assessed consumer confusion and security lapses for confidential resolutions. His professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted include: Certified Master Dealer (CMD) – National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA) / Northwood University Prestigious, elite designation held by fewer than 1% of U.S. dealers; awarded for demonstrated excellence in ethical leadership, operational standards, compliance, and business performance in the independent automotive retail sector. Licensed Used Vehicle Dealer – State of Arizona Active license authorizing retail and wholesale operations of used vehicles, with ongoing adherence to state regulatory and ethical requirements. Insurance Producer License (Property & Casualty) – State of Arizona Licensed to sell and advise on property/casualty insurance products, including those commonly offered in dealership F&I departments. Notary Public and Signing Agent – State of Arizona Commissioned to authenticate documents, witness signings, and support secure transactions in automotive and financial contexts. Bachelor of Science – Northern Illinois University Associate of Arts – College of Lake County Additional Professional Training & Certifications: Finance & Insurance (F&I) Training – JM&A Group / Resource Group Advanced Sales & Management Training – Jim Ziegler; Sandler Institute Sales & Customer Relations Training – Joe Verde Strategic advisor and consultant in the auto and finance sectors (e.g., via networks such as GLG and similar platforms). Ongoing involvement in automotive professional and financial development and peer leadership through NIADA-affiliated programs and industry training. These credentials—combined with 35+ years of hands-on experience as Dealer Principal/CEO scaling operations to $30M+ revenue and maintaining flawless compliance—underpin his expertise as an impartial expert witness in federal/state litigation. Core Expertise Areas Supported by These Credentials: Automobile Dealership Operations / Industry Standards / Dealer Fraud Prevention / Auto Financing & Compliance (TILA, ECOA, Fair Lending, Red Flags Rule) / F&I Practices / New & Used Auto Transactions / Diminished Value Appraisals / Wrongful Termination & Employment Disputes / Finance Documentation & Analysis / Risk Management / Lemon Law / Repossession Processes / P&L & Financial Analysis Available nationwide, including virtual/Zoom testimony. Consults with attorneys on case strategy, reports, and depositions. Contact for CV, references, or initial review—leveraging advisory experience with GLG, AlphaSights, and NIADA boards for unchallenged insights.