USPAP Appraiser · 2M+ Items · Authentication

Specialties & Experience of this Expert Witness

Additional Information

Jack Holowczak is a USPAP-compliant personal property appraiser and qualified expert witness specializing in luxury goods authentication and valuation. Over 10 years of forensic authentication experience across 50+ luxury houses and more than 2,000,000 items examined. Founding Director of PROVENANCE, a luxury authentication, appraisal, and advisory practice serving private collectors, insurers, executors, attorneys, and resale platforms across the United States and Canada. QUALIFIED APPRAISER STATUS Qualified appraiser under 26 CFR Section 1.170A-17(b)(2)(i)(A) -- Path A (coursework and experience). USPAP-compliant via Personal Property coursework through the International Society of Appraisers (ISA), per Appraisal Standards Board requirements. Reports prepared in conformity with USPAP Standards 7 (Personal Property Appraisal Development) and 8 (Personal Property Appraisal Reporting), on PROVENANCE letterhead, for insurance scheduling, fair market value (estate, probate, divorce, equitable distribution), IRS charitable donation (Form 8283), IRS estate tax (Form 706), and Canadian deemed-disposition (CRA fair market value at death) purposes. Each Form 8283 or Form 706 engagement includes the Section 1.170A-17(b)(4) declaration affirming qualification for the specific type of property appraised. Fees are based on scope of work, time, and complexity -- never contingent on appraised value, never percentage-based. AUTHENTICATION EXPERTISE Forensic authentication of handbags, leather goods, watches, fine jewelry, and accessories across 50+ luxury houses including Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Prada, Goyard, Chrome Hearts, Rolex, and Cartier. Methodology combines forensic physical inspection with documented comparable-sales research from primary auction data (Heritage Auctions, Sotheby's, Christie's, Cowley Abbott) and licensed databases. VALUATION EXPERTISE USPAP-compliant fair market value, insurance replacement value, and orderly liquidation value appraisals across luxury handbags, fine jewelry, watches, sterling silver, fine art (with depth in Group of Seven and Canadian historical art), and collectibles. Defensible valuation opinions for insurance claims, estate and probate, divorce and equitable distribution, customs valuations, and damages calculations in counterfeiting litigation. Author of Optionology: The Complete Handbook to Successful Options Trading (2023). CASE TYPES Counterfeit luxury goods and superfake detection; trademark infringement; luxury goods valuation for insurance claims; estate, probate, and trust valuations; divorce and family law asset division; IRS Form 8283 and Form 706 qualified appraisal; Canadian deemed-disposition (CRA) reports; customs and border seizure disputes (CBP, CBSA); consumer fraud on resale platforms. FEE SCHEDULE Non-testimony work: $400-$450/hr. Testimony (deposition, trial, arbitration): $500-$550/hr. Standard retainer: $3,000. Deposition minimum: 4 hours; trial minimum: full day. Billed in 1/10th hour increments. Cancellation policy and complex-matter premiums documented in the engagement letter. Based in Toronto, Ontario. Available for matters in all U.S. and Canadian jurisdictions. Remote consultation, written opinion, and video deposition standard. Practice pages: jackholowczak.com/expert-witness/ and jackholowczak.com/appraisal/.