Real Estate Expert Witnesses in California
The SEAK Expert Witness Directory contains a comprehensive list of real estate expert witnesses who testify, consult and provide litigation support on real estate and related issues. Real estate expert witnesses and consultants on this page may form expert opinions, draft expert witness reports, and provide expert witness testimony at deposition and trial. The issues and subjects these real estate expert witnesses testify regarding may include: Commercial Real Estate, Property Management, Brokerage, Construction, Fiduciary Duty, Fraud, Personal Injury, Due Diligence, Finance, Hoa, Landlord/Tenant, Valuation, Agent, Alter Ego, and Commercial.
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Jeffrey S Rothbart, J.D., LL.M
Real Estate Expert with Diverse Experience
Real Estate Expert Witnesses, LLC
Real Estate, Appraisal & Valuation
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1031 Exchange, NNN, LLC/Partnership dispute, Real Estate Appraisal, Proforma Analysis, Zoning, commercial financing, landlord/tenant disputes, acquisition, standard of care, real estate valuation, REIT
Mr. Rothbart is a seasoned real estate executive with over 22 years of direct experience in all aspects of commercial and residential real estate. Generally, Mr. Rothbart’s experience includes, but is not limited to, land and property acquisition, zoning and entitlements, development, general contracting, valuation, acquisitions, debt and equity finance, asset and property management, leasing, sustainability and dispositions. Mr. Rothbart has experience with both domestic and international real estate as well as most property types. Mr. Rothbart is an Illinois licensed attorney, possess and LL.M. in Taxation and has been an Adjunct Professor of Law since 2007.
Mr. Rothbart has served as an expert witness/consultant in 200+ real estate matters. Prior expert experience includes, but is not limited to, real estate valuation, LLC Operating Agreements, breach of fiduciary duties, breach of representations and warranties, land use, construction damages, standard of care issues, brokerag...
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John A Dalkowski, III, CRE, MAI
NATIONAL REAL ESTATE VALUATION & LITIGATION SVCS
National Real Estate Research, LLC
Real Estate, Real Estate Appraiser
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Real Estate Damages, Detrimental Conditions - stigma litigation, Real Estate Diminution of Value damages, Loss of Use Damages, air rights & TDR's, Real Estate Broker Standard of Care / Malpractice, complex valuations of major urban assets, hotels resorts timeshare valuations, allocation of tangible intangible value
National Real Estate Research, LLC is a NATIONWIDE real estate litigation support, counseling, valuation, and expert witness practice. John A. Dalkowski III, CRE, MAI is Managing Director of NRER, with offices in New York, NY, Charlotte, NC and Miami, FL. Mr. Dalkowski has more than 45 years of experience in real estate development, litigation, and counseling in 30 states and has appraised more than $11 Billion in assets. He is experienced in providing transactional counseling, litigation and arbitration support and expert witness testimony, and valuation advisory services, particularly on specialized or complex transactions. He has testified in 11 depositions and in court 6 times to date.
Mr. Dalkowski / NRER, LLC’s core competencies are in the determination of Real Estate Damages; Real Estate Development litigation; Detrimental Conditions litigation; Diminution of Value and / or Loss of Use Damages – resulting from stigma or other external forces; Real Estate Broker or Appraise...
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Gary M. Tenzer, BA, MBA, MSBA
Comm. Real Estate Finance & Transactions Expert
Tenzer Consulting Group
Real Estate, Financial
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Commercial Real Estate Finance, Mortgage, Debt, Lender, Borrower, Interest Rate, Loan Terms, Bankruptcy, CMBS, Bank, Alter Ego, Lender Liability, Loan Underwriting, Loan Origination, Joint Ventures, Structured Finance, Intercreditor, Fiduciary Duty, Brokerage Issues, Loan Servicing
I am an expert in commercial real estate finance with over 40 years of experience. I have arranged over $11 billion in financing for my developer and investor clients. I work as an active professional arranging capital placement for my clients. Therefore, I am well-versed in commercial real estate finance and related issues, as well as the current and past state of the capital markets.
With over 25 years of expert witness experience, I have served as an expert witness or consultant on over three hundred matters, given deposition testimony over 150 times, and trial testimony 100 +/- times in Federal, State, and Bankruptcy courts as well as ADR proceedings.
Expert testimony Issues include:
Chapter 11 Interest rate determination, partnership disputes, lender/borrower disputes, landlord/tenant disputes, alter ego issues, lender liability matters, lender approval process, the suitability of financing, forensic determination of market-rate and terms of financing, economic feasibility...
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Kevin Herzberg, MBA, BSEE, LSSBB
Residential Lending and Banking Expert
Serpentine Partners, LLC
Los Angeles, California
Banking, Real Estate
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Automated Valuation Models/AVMs, Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities/RMBS, Mortgage Lending/Originations, Lending Practices, Loan Underwriting, Mortgage Servicing, Mortgage Banking, Fraud, Valuation/Appraisal, foreclosures/Loan Modifications, Trade Secrets/Misappropriation, Mortgage Insurance/MI
Executive leader with more than 20 years of experience in business strategy, operations, and fiscal excellence for major banking and lending corporations. I have served as an expert witness in over 40 cases and submitted comprehensive written reports on complex matters that were presented to the courts in layman terms.
Disputes have argued the following issues:
* The 2008 Financial Crisis Involving Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities (RMBS)
* Misappropriation of Trade Secrets
* Predatory Lending
* Multiple County Tax Assessors
* Environmental Contamination and Real Estate Valuation Stigma
* Loan Origination / Employment Compensation
Topics covered included:
* Real Estate Automated Valuation Models (AVMs)
* Intellectual Property (IP) / Software Source Code Theft
* Errant Lending Practices
* Mortgage Fraud
* Loan Servicing
* Foreclosures
* Loan Modifications
* Loan Workouts
* Real Estate Owned (REO...
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Sandra E Clark, CPM, RPA
REAL ESTATE PROPERTY MGMT 40+ years "Hands On"
Prajna Real Estate Services, Inc.
Palm Desert, California
Property Management, Real Estate
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Real Estate Management, Personal Injury, Residential Properties, Construction, Habitability Specialist, Wrongful Death, HOAs, Housing Code Compliance, Discrimination, Commercial Properties, Wrongful Evictions, Standards of Care & Safe Practices, Mold & Environmental Issues, Industrial Properties, Rent Control, Lease Analysis
Sandra E. Clark has been working in the field of property management in Los Angeles and Riverside Counties, CA since 1978 to the present day, with over 45 years of "Hands On" experience. She has served as an Expert Witness since 2013, assisting on cases in numerous states including California, Texas, Colorado and Indiana. She is comfortable in a court environment and has testified in many cases throughout her property management career. Most recently Sandra sucessfully provided expert testimony for the defense in a Federal housing discrimination case in Central Indiana. She is skilled in writing Expert Witness Reports and provides attorney/clients with the information and guidance they need to settle their cases out of court, if that is their preference. As an Expert Witness, she has represented both landlords and tenants.
She grew up in the industry, starting as a part time management assistant and on site resident manager while attending university in Los Angeles. During t...
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Gary M. Tenzer, BA, MBA, MSBA
Comm. Real Estate Finance & Transactions Expert
Tenzer Consulting Group
Los Angeles, California
Real Estate, Financial
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Commercial Real Estate Finance, Mortgage, Debt, Lender, Borrower, Interest Rate, Loan Terms, Bankruptcy, CMBS, Bank, Alter Ego, Lender Liability, Loan Underwriting, Loan Origination, Joint Ventures, Structured Finance, Intercreditor, Fiduciary Duty, Brokerage Issues, Loan Servicing
I am an expert in commercial real estate finance with over 40 years of experience. I have arranged over $11 billion in financing for my developer and investor clients. I work as an active professional arranging capital placement for my clients. Therefore, I am well-versed in commercial real estate finance and related issues, as well as the current and past state of the capital markets.
With over 25 years of expert witness experience, I have served as an expert witness or consultant on over three hundred matters, given deposition testimony over 150 times, and trial testimony 100 +/- times in Federal, State, and Bankruptcy courts as well as ADR proceedings.
Expert testimony Issues include:
Chapter 11 Interest rate determination, partnership disputes, lender/borrower disputes, landlord/tenant disputes, alter ego issues, lender liability matters, lender approval process, the suitability of financing, forensic determination of market-rate and terms of financing, economic feasibility...
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James H Cantrell, CPM, CAM
Standard of Care Property, Association Management
Cantrell Associates
San Francisco, California
Real Estate, Property Management
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Property management, Broker, agent, apartment, commercial, HOA, Condominium management, office, Slips Trips Falls, maintenance, water intrusion, mold, personal injury, security, homeowner association, due diligence, real estate property management, real estate disputes, condo management
Mr. Cantrell is currently active in day-to-day property management. He is a California Real Estate Broker, a Certified Property Manager (CPM), by the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) and a Condominium Association Manager (CAM) in the state of Florida.
He is an expert in all aspects of Real Estate including Property Management of Residential, Commercial, Condominiums and Homeowners Associations, Shopping Centers.
Expert in Standards of Care, property damage, personal injury, habitability, landlord/tenant, maintenance, air quality and mold issues, receiverships, lease interpretation, partnership agreements, trust properties, child molestation.
An IREM instructor teaching throughout the US , Russia and Poland. Recipient 1987 Frank Lyons award-CPM of the year, CPM Emeritus 2011, President IREM San Francisco, IREM SF instructor of the year 2001, 2007 nd 2013 Lloyd Hanford Jr Distinguished Faculty award IREM.
Featured speaker National Facility Management and Technol...
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Nicholas A Dunlap, CPM
Multifamily Residential Property Management Expert
Fullerton, California
Property Management, Real Estate
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Apartments, Multifamily, Multifamily Residential, Commercial Real Estate, Property Management, Rental Property, Standard of Care, Property Operations, Institutional Real Estate, Real Estate Investments, Due Diligence
Nicholas Dunlap is the Founder and President of Spadra Property Company. He is a second-generation apartment owner and multifamily/commercial real estate professional.
Nicholas has held executive-level leadership positions at local and national companies, including Dunlap Property Group, McKinley, and Avanath Capital. His track record includes over $2,000,000,000 in acquisitions and dispositions, along with over 20,000 units acquired and managed across the United States.
He is a nationally published author, having written hundreds of articles and columns for real estate publications such as the Journal of Property Management, Realtor Magazine, Apartment News, and Units Magazine. He recently served as named editor of the Institute of Real Estate Management’s flagship publication, “Principles of Real Estate Management.” Dunlap also teaches the Apartment Association of Orange County’s Budget and Finance course for their Certified Rental Housing Provider education program.
Mr. Dunlap...
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Lee Segal
Commercial real estate disputes
Segal Commercial Properties, Inc
Los Angeles, California
Real Estate
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Commercial Properties, Lease Disputes, Enviornmental, AIR CRE Contracts, Industrial, Landlord/Tenant, Partnership Disputes, Lease Disputes, Options, Mitigation of Damages, Property Management, Custom & Practice, Investments, Breach of Contract, Disclosures, Brokerage Disputes, Shopping Centers
Lee Segal Commercial Real Estate Transactions, Development & Brokerage. 50 Years Commercial Real Estate Experience. Experienced Expert.
Former President of the AIR CRE (largest producer of commercial real estate forms). Thousands of transactions, developed 3,000,000 square feet of warehouses, prior owner of 17 shopping centers
Lee Segal is recognized as being in the Top 1% of the Real Estate Industry, having received the coveted AIR Master of Commercial Real Industry. A former President of the AIR CRE known as one of the largest publishers of forms used throughout the commercial real estate industry. At the age of 25, Segal designed, developed, constructed, financed and brokered his first of 20+ buildings in his career. In addition he formed Segal Commercial Management, Inc.
As president & CEO of Segal Commercial Properties, Inc., a full service commercial real estate firm located in Los Angeles, Lee has brokered 1,000s of real estate transactions involving: brokerage, investment...
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Linda Rae Paul
35+ Years Title & Escrow | Expert & Consultant
CRE Transaction Experts, Inc.
Sausalito, California
Real Estate, Fraud
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Commercial Title & Escrow, Escrow Procedures, Multi-State Customs & Practices, Escrow Operations, Escrow Documentation, Fiduciary Duty, Escrow Fraud, Misdirected Wire Fraud, Elder Abuse Involving Real Estate, Real Property Fraud, Seller Impersonation Fraud, Title Insuring/Underwriting, Improper Title Clearance, Curative Work
Linda Rae Paul is the President of CRE Transaction Experts, Inc. and one of a small number of experts in the country with direct, hands-on experience at every level of the commercial title and escrow process — from escrow officer to commercial closer to national commercial closer and title insurance underwriter. She has closed multi-site, multi-state portfolio transactions moving billions of dollars on behalf of the country’s top commercial real estate clients. She works plaintiff and defense nationally on title and escrow matters of any size.
Attorneys retain her because escrow and title systems are opaque to litigators. She functions as a translator — showing attorneys exactly what the red flags look like, what the standard of care required, and what to ignore. Her written reports are precise and built to withstand attack. Her testimony is clear enough to walk a judge and jury through the complexity of a transaction without losing them.
Case types she handles include:
• Escrow w...
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Christopher Hanson, Esq., CCIM
Real Estate Standard of Care and Title Insurance
Real Estate Mediation Service, LLC
San Leandro, California
Real Estate, Real Estate
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44+ years in the industry .... Broker negligence, fraud, standard of care, non-disclosure, breach of contract, fiduciary duty, lease, sale, easement, partition, partnership disputes, foreclosures
44+ years in the real estate industry - that's the expertise I bring to the table.
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I'm a retired trial lawyer, after more than 25 years in practice (which followed 15 as a RE broker). In my legal practice, I dealt exclusively with real estate cases. Over 880 trials, arbitrations, mediations (only 3 UDs). Claims included negligence, fraud, non-disclosure, breaches of fiduciary duty & contract. I've defended, and sued, brokers, and their insurance companies. I've represented bidders, borrowers and banks in regard to foreclosures; and both sides in loan workouts. I've worked with national chains doing state-wide store rollouts, and lease renegotiations. That followed those 15+/- years as a broker actively selling/leasing property (commercial and residential) - I hold a CCIM designation, earned by doing deals. That followed 7+/- years as a title insurance company Advisory Title Officer. I researched and wrote Preliminary Reports.
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There isn't much in this business I haven't s...
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John Pagliassotti, ACoM, ARM, CPM Candidate, PMM
Real estate expert
Newport Beach, California
Real Estate
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Matters involving landlords, tenants, buyers, sellers, brokers fiduciary duties and duty of care, property and asset management, AIR contracts, commercial and residential real estate, leasing, sales, CAM charges, holdover, surrender of property, partnerships, options, rent adjustments, mold & more
After graduating from UCLA in 1984, John began working in real estate brokerage in Orange County, California. While in brokerage, John specialized in industrial sales and leasing, as well as investment sales. John was regularly recognized as a top producing salesperson.
In 1990, John began working with Fujita Corporation USA as their vice president and as the managing director of Fujita Corporation's property management division, Fujita Property Management (FPM). While at Fujita, John was responsible for overseeing just under 4 million square feet of institutional grade commercial and residential property (valued at approximately $400 million with just over 700 tenants) and for the day-to-day operations of FPM. His duties included oversight of the first private Japanese REIT in California. When John joined Fujita, most of their portfolio was under fee management. Within two years, John grew FPM and took the management of all properties in house. In addition to leasing hundreds of t...
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Michael K Ryan
45+ years, seasoned vet, proven trial testimony
Castlelyons Corporation
Encinitas, California
Real Estate
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Partnership/JV disputes, Disclosure requirements, Non-compliance with Industry practices, Entitlement and development issues, Industry standard of care, General Partner duties owed, Agent/Broker misconduct, Due diligence standards, Fiduciary duties owed, Agent/Broker NAR Code of Conduct
"Real estate experts are only as good as their 'real world' experience". I have 45-plus years of it.
My "real world" experience has proven to be a key factor in the analysis of case issues and in my credibility during courtroom testimony. Managed Divisions for privately and publicly held realty companies. MBA from USC, CA and HI Broker's Licenses and CA Contractor's License. Cases have required, expertise in entitlements, development, home building, agent/broker misconduct, Industry standards, disclosure requirements, due diligence standards, partnership and joint venture issues, fiduciary duties owed and rebuttal to opposing expert's report.
WATCH 1-MINUTE VIDEO ON WEBSITE -- www.castlelyons.net
NOTE: I do not charge travel time or expenses for cases located outside Southern California.
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Dick Bridy, PhD
RE MGT, CONTRACT DISPUTE, ADA, CODE VIOLATIONS
DBI Group Expert Witness
Solana Beach, California
Real Estate
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Personal Injury, Slip Trip & Fall, Reconstruction-Photo/Video, Title 24 Part 2 - California Building Code, Title 24, Part 3 NFPA 70, National Electrical Code (NEC), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Permits/ Construction Docs, Realtor Disclosure, Misrepresentation, Negligence, Affirmative Duty
DBI Expert Witness is a commercial real estate Consulting Firm that offers services, including workplace safety and health standards of care and OSHA compliance services.
• Litigation consultation services and trial testimony
• Expert consultation on public safety, building compliance and personal injury
• Building Code violations and property owner negligence
• California Building Standards Code (Title 24)
• Application, interpretations, compliance and industry consensus standards of the OSH ACT of 1970
• Lease obligations and Landlord/Tenant default
Extensive experience in asset and property management issues related to management operations, leasing, Landlord/Tenant disputes, slip & falls, property inspection and maintenance, security, fiduciary and affirmative duties, plus standards of care for commercial facilities.
Dr. Dick Bridy as over 45 years of experience as an owner/developer/redeveloper, asset/property manager, Realtor, investment syndicator and lender for commercial ...
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M J Cooper, ARM, CPM, Real Estate Broker (CA).
Property Management Expert, RE Broker, & CPM
Rohnert Park, California
Real Estate, Property Management
Certified Property Manager and Real Estate Broker with over 31+ years of experience and knowledge in California Residential and Commercial Property Management. Skill set includes, Marketing, Property Evaluations, Lease Negotiating, Habitability standards, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Residential and Commercial Property Management. Graduate and current member of the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) certifications include an Accredited Residential Manager (ARM) and Certified Property Manager (CPM) certification. Graduate of the Institute of Real Estate, (GRI) certification.
Seasoned real estate professional with specialized expertise in property valuation and expert witness testimony for family law
proceedings. Demonstrated ability to conduct comprehensive market analysis, perform detailed property inspections, and deliver
accurate fair market value assessments using advanced MLS research and comparable property analysis. Proven courtroom
experience providing cl...
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Jack G Cohen
Westlake Village, California
Real Estate
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Private Money Lending in Real Estate, Real Estate Lending, Credit File and Qualifications, Appraisals, Evictions, Foreclosures, Industry Standards, Title Reports, Property Management, Tenant and Landlord Issues, Brokers and Investors Relations, Finance and Documentation, Escrow, Sales & Leasing
2012-Current Cohen Inv., LLC/Binyanim, LLC/Cohen Investment Group, LLC/Dirot, LLC/ Suburb, LLC/Balboa, LLC – Managing member.
Director of private money real estate lender, real estate developer, investment property manager
2012 - Current San Fernando Realty Real estate investment director California Bureau Real Estate/
Private money lending in the real estate industry, credit file and qualifications, appraisals, evictions, foreclosures, industry standards, title reports, property management, tenant and landlord issues, brokers and investors relations, finance and documentation, escrow, sales & leasing, insurance claims, loan servicing
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Douglas B. Twillman, CFO, CFA, MBA, BS-ME
Commercial Real Estate Expert (Witness) Services
Mill Valley, California
Real Estate, Financial
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Financial Planning & Analysis, Underwriting, Due Diligence, Capital Markets, Structured Finance, Syndication, Banking, CMBS Loan, Asset Mgmt, Shopping Center, Mixed Use, Standard of Care, Landlord/Tenant, Investor Relations, Distressed Assets, Receivership, Forensic Accounting, Economic Damage, Lic. CA Broker, Family Law
I provide Commercial Real Estate and Family Law Expert Services with extensive hands-on experience as a real estate investor, asset manager, and fractional Chief Financial Officer. My expertise is grounded in real-world ownership and operations—not theoretical or purely academic analysis—allowing me to deliver clear, supportable opinions that withstand scrutiny in litigation, arbitration, and mediation.
My commercial real estate experience spans the full investment lifecycle, including opportunity identification, financial underwriting, valuation, due diligence, capital structuring, debt and equity placement, contract negotiation, leasing strategy, property and asset management, investor reporting, and disposition analysis. I have direct experience evaluating investment performance, cash flow, capital expenditures, operating budgets, and long-term value creation across multiple asset classes.
I specialize in complex financial analysis related to commercial real estate disputes, in...
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Jeffery Potter
Real Estate Development - 42 Years in the business
H&M Investment Advisors, Inc.
Newport Beach, California
Real Estate, Construction
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Construction, Real Estate, Finance, Commercial Real Estate, Real Estate Development, Environmental, Entitlements, Defect, Easement, Ownership, Title, Brokerage, Partnership, Lease, Planning, Zoning, Disputes, Financing, Contract, Conflict
• Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/jeffery-potter-35367411
• Website: https://www.potterexpertwitness.com/
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/potterexpertwitness/
Real Estate • Construction • Finance Expert – Jeff Potter brings over 42 years of proven success in commercial real estate development, investment and expert witness work. He has overseen the acquisition, development, management and disposition of more than 4 million square feet of industrial, multifamily, retail, self storage, residential and land development assets across the Western United States.
California Heritage & Education
• Family roots in Northern, Southern and Central California date back to 1867.
• B.S. in Business (Marshall School, USC) and MRED from USC.
• Currently pursuing a CCIM designation and a Master Certificate in Homeland Security at USC—underscoring his commitment to lifelong learning.
Key Career Milestones
• Co founded A American Self Storage with industry pioneer Ed Olson.
• Director of Development ...
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Renee A Engelen, Broker, CCRM, CHA
HRH Real Estate Services Corp
San Rafael, California
Property Management, Real Estate
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Leasing, Commercial Real Estate
Licensed California broker with 40 years experience in property management, ownership and leasing
HRH specializes in the following services:
Leasing
Property Management
Sales and Acquisitions
Contract Negotiations
Real Estate Development & Planning
Construction/Remodeling Project Management
Design Services
Consulting
Repositioning Plans & Processes
Cost Management
Risk Analysis & Management
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Dennis Gemberling
Expert in Hotels, Restaurants, Bars, Nightclubs
Perry Group International
San Diego, California
Hotel & Restaurant, Real Estate
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Hospitality Industry, Management, Operations, Maintenance, Upkeep, Safety, Security, Employment, Wages, Harassment, Discrimination, Economic Impact, Business Interruption, Alcohol Service Handling, Food Safety, Construction, Equipment, Standard of Care, Customs and Trade Practices, Human Trafficking
– Over 35 years experience managing, operating and consulting on full-service, limited-service, extended-stay, all-suite, branded and franchised, condo and timeshare hotels and resorts, casual, fine-dining and quick-service restaurants, bars and nightclubs, catering and special event facilities, casinos, and mixed-use real estate. Held prior positions for different owners, operators and chains as Senior Vice President, General Manager, Director of Food & Beverage and Restaurant Unit Manager.
– Retained over 400 projects including brands, franchises and independents across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
- Earned Certificates in Hotel Real Estate Investments and Asset Management from Cornell University and Receiverships Administration, Procedures, and Law from Loyola Law School
– Member of Foodservice Consultants Society International, Forensic Expert Witness Association, and Turnaround Management Association.
- Over 10 years as A.M. Best’s “Recommended Expert Services Prov...
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Gregory M. Libby, MBA
Real Estate Expert Witness
Libby Consulting, LLC
San Diego, California
Real Estate, Property Management
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commercial real estate, lease, REIT, real estate investment trust, triple net, NNN, retail, industrial, office, multifamily, asset management, property management, portfolio, leasing, CoStar, premises liability, due diligence, construction, standard of care, habitability
Drawing on 32 years of real estate experience, Greg provides expert advice, analysis, opinion reports, and legal testimony to support attorneys and their clients in resolving commercial and residential real estate disputes.
Greg serves as a Course Facilitator for Cornell University’s eCornell commercial real estate certificate program, where he guides professionals in expanding their understanding of asset management, development, property management, leasing, and other key areas of commercial real estate practice.
He is qualified to consult on a wide variety of real estate and facilities-related matters including but not limited to the REIT industry and practices, asset management, broker standard of care, budgeting, capital expense planning/management, construction, corporate real estate, development/redevelopment, disaster planning and response, due diligence, facilities management, financial modeling, habitability, lease abstraction, lease administration, lease agreements, le...
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Paul Habibi, CPA/ABV/CFF
Nationally-Recognized Real Estate Expert Witness
Grayslake Advisors LLC
Los Angeles, California
Real Estate, Financial
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Accounting/Auditing, Banking, Commercial and Residential Real Estate, Inverse Condemnation, Lost Profits, Damages, Antitrust, Agriculture, Lender Liability, Loss of Use, Valuation, Mortgage-Backed Securities, Ground Leases, Brokerage, Joint Ventures, Securities, REITs, Construction/Development, Diminution in Value, Alter Ego
Paul Habibi is Principal and Founder of Grayslake Advisors, a real estate expert services firm based in Los Angeles and New York City. Grayslake's client's include publicly traded Fortune 500 companies, as well as privately held, small businesses, non-profit organizations and associations and individuals.
He has been retained as an expert witness in 300+ real estate litigation and regulatory matters, on engagements involving financial analysis, economic damages, accounting, valuation, and industry custom and practice. He has testified in some of the highest-profile matters in the country, in federal and state courts, including the Delaware Court of Chancery, and ADR forums. He has been retained by the vast majority of the AmLaw100 firms on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants.
He is a Senior Continuing Lecturer at UCLA Anderson School of Management, Continuing Lecturer in Law at UCLA School of Law, Faculty Advisor at UCLA Department of Economics, real estate investor and deve...
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Stephen E. Roulac, PhD
Roulac Global
San Francisco, California
Real Estate, Economics
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RE finance/investment, Causation/liability, Damages, Consulting expert, Valuation/appraisal/analytics, Fiduciary/ ethics, Due process/diligence, Properties/markets, Cycles, Conservation easements, Housing, Financial economics, Development/building, Loans, Securitization/CMBS/RMBS, Proptech, Leases, Strate
Dr. Stephen Roulac’s background includes working as a real estate expert providing professional strategic property analytic, investment management, and advisory services to decision-makers.
Stephen Roulac has been retained as a consulting and/or testifying expert for 150+ matters, including many of the most significant real estate litigation assignments of the last several decades. Dr. Roulac and his team provide consulting advice and expert witness services to assist clients in resolving problems, including diagnosis, analysis, development of alternative solutions, and implementation assistance in negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and litigation.
Dr. Roulac and his team have assisted attorneys to successfully pursue their cases on behalf of plaintiffs, defendants and the public interest in civil, bankruptcy, and criminal matters in Municipal/Superior/Federal courts and in public hearings and specialized proceedings before government (city, county, state, federal) and legislativ...
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Fred Schuster
Real Estate, Hotel, Finance/Accounting Expert
FGS Realty Advisors
Del Mar, California
Real Estate, Hotel & Restaurant
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Finance, Brokerage, real estate investment, Capital stack, Hospitality, Forensic accounting, lost profits, partnership disputes, Economic damages, Real estate development, diminution of value, bankruptcy, Financial analysis, Asset Management, Waterfall, C.P.A., Standard of care, Operations, Management agreements, Valuation
Fred Schuster is a real estate finance, development, and hospitality industry expert with more than 30 years of experience and over 15 years serving as an expert witness and litigation consultant in complex real estate disputes. Through FGS Realty Advisors, Mr. Schuster provides expert witness and litigation support services to law firms, ownership groups, investors, lenders, and other stakeholders involved in sophisticated real estate, hospitality, finance, and operational matters. Fred is a licensed CPA and California Real Estate Broker.
Mr. Schuster’s experience combines senior executive leadership, institutional real estate finance expertise, development oversight, asset management, brokerage operations, and forensic financial analysis. His background allows him to provide practical, well-supported opinions grounded in real-world industry experience across the full lifecycle of real estate assets and investments.
Mr. Schuster has been engaged in matters involving:
Financial ...
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Bill Burch
San Marcos, California
Real Estate, Banking
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Mortgage Lending, Standard of Care, Compliance, TILA/RESPA Regulation, Disclosure, HAMP/Modification, Foreclosure, Underwriting, Residential, Loan Servicing, Real Estate/Mortgage Fraud, Financial Elder Abuse, CA DRE/NMLS Licensing
I have been in the mortgage industry for over 30 years, serving as a loan officer, branch manager, and area vice president. During this time, I have developed a strong base of knowledge and experience in many areas of the mortgage industry. On the origination end, this includes application, disclosure, processing, underwriting, appraisal, & funding. On the servicing end, this includes payment servicing, escrow accounts, modification, HAMP, and foreclosure.
I am able to study a case file quickly and thoroughly, and establish a defensible opinion. My writing skills yield a strong written report. And, my public speaking and discussion skills present well in deposition and trial.
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Stan Mullin, CRE, SIOR, CCIM, FRICS
Commercial Real Estate Expertise - Global SIOR pp
Expert Witness Property
Newport Beach, California
Real Estate, Manufacturing
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Technology, Retail, Multi-Family, Office, Distribution, Land
1982-02 – Grubb & Ellis, Newport Beach; CA; industrial sales. Leased/sold land, distribution, manufacturing and high tech
2006 - President, AIR Commercial Real Estate Association (http://www.airea.com)
2006, 2007 - Global President, Society of Industrial & Office Realtors (www.sior.com)
2009/11-2011/11; Receiver’s agent at California Real Estate Receiverships, Newport Beach.
2011/12 – to date; California real estate broker # 00833110; Expert witness; Settled estates (trustee); JVs in NL, DEU and IE
Specialties:
Landlord v Tenant, Sublessor v Sublessee, Buyer v Seller, Broker v Client and vice versa
First Rights (to renew, expand, contract, to purchase), Options and Rights of First Refusal to Renew, Expand, Contract, to Purchase), Yield Maintenance, Parking Provisions, Common Area Disputes, Good Faith and Fair Dealing, Fiduciary, Ethics, Industry Standards, Deferred Maintenance, Self-Help, Allowed Use, Agency Contracts, Riders & Addenda, Lease Guarantees, Escrow, Title, Evic...
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Steven D. Epcar, CPM
Real Estate and Property Management Expert
S.D. Epcar & Associates
GRANITE BAY, California
Real Estate, Property Management
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Expert in real estate and property management issues, including residential, commercial, retail, HOA, hotel, mixed-use properties. Litigation support includes standard of care, partnership conflict, brokerage/leasing, landlord/tenant, valuation, premises, rent control, life/safety and environmental, environmental, standard duty
Mr. Epcar is experienced in real estate management organizational/profitability assessments. His extensive background includes the successful development and operation of "best in class" real estate management and consulting organizations. He has extensive experience in multi-family, commercial, retail, condominiums, hotels, mixed-use asset operations, renovations and marketing. In addition he has provided project management, investment feasibility and due diligence services as well as marketing/branding for business development and expansion. His background also includes significant real estate development services, commercial leasing and Tenants-In-Common/1031 exchange investments. Mr. Epcar is a Certified Property Manager (CPM), a licensed California real estate broker and a licensed Managing Broker in the State of Washington. He is also a member of the Forensic Expert Witness Association (FEWA). His expert witness/litigation support activities over the past 18+ years incl...
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Rick Rivera
Commercial property management/brokerage expert
CBM1, Inc.
Los Angeles, California
Real Estate, Property Management
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Commercial real estate, property management operations, brokerage, shopping centers, asset management, sales/lease transactions, Premises liability, Industry custom and practice, landlord/tenant disputes, dual agency, investors, partnerships, escrow, finance, common area maintenance, conflict of interest
Commercial property management and brokerage expert. President/CEO of CBM (1994-2020) and Manager of Sammar, LLC, overseeing 11 million square feet, thousands of tenants, several hundred landlord clients, dozens of property managers, and leasing agents. Board Member of CAM Property Services, a provider of facility and property services throughout California. Broker of record for more than 300 leasing and sales transactions annually.
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Andrew R. Zimbaldi, MBA
Property management, HOA management, brokerage
Kidder Mathews
Irvine, California
Real Estate, Premises Liability
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Property management, brokerage, agent, apartment, commercial, HOA, slip and fall, premises liability, maintenance, standards of care, disclosure, owner and broker disclosure, personal injury, mold, bedbugs, water intrusion, health and safety, fiduciary duty, fraud, receivership
Currently active as the Senior Vice President of Asset Management Services for Kidder Mathews: one of the largest commercial and property management brokerage firms in the western United States. In excess of seventy million square feet of assets under management.
Serves as an expert witness in property management, standards of care, brokerage, owner and agent disclosure, premises liability, water intrusion, mold, bedbugs, personal injury, health and safety, fiduciary duty, and most all aspects of the real estate industry.
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Jay Hibert
Real Estate Lending and Commercial Banking Expert
JBH Real Estate Experts Inc
Carlsbad, California
Real Estate, Financial
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SBA Loans, Hard Money Loans, Lending Customs and Practice, Title Insurance, Broker Standards of Care, Banking Operations, Lender Liability, Construction Lending, Private Money Lending, Bank Finance, Expert Reports adherent to Federal Rule 26, Collateral Review, Broker Fiduciary, Covid Finance Issues
Active lender with over 39 years of experience in Banking, Finance, and Real Estate Lending. Licensed with the California Department of Real Estate. CalDRE#01523075
Jay Hibert was in the commercial banking industry for 25 years before leaving to form his own company, a real estate lending and consulting company. Jay is licensed with the California Bureau of Real Estate and for over 10 years his company was a licensed California Finance Lender. The company provides services to banks, non-banks, and individuals in need of creative financing solutions.
With now over 39 years of experience in banking and real estate, Jay's market knowledge and transactional experience has allowed him to work in a consulting and expert witness capacity for many clients over the years. Still an ACTIVE lender in the industry, Jay stays updated on current customs and practices and has transacted hundreds of real estate and non-real estate loan negotiations in times of economic growth as well as downtur...
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Robert B Klaus
Commercial Real Estate Investments / Loan Expert
Elite Commercial Advisors, Inc.
La Jolla, California
Real Estate, Financial
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Commercial Real Estate, Real Estate Syndications, Purchase and Sale Agreements, Financing, Finance, Commercial Loans, Construction Loans, Operating Agreements, Bridge Debt, Valuation, Commercial Real Estate Brokerage, Bank Loans, Hard Money Loans, Private Loans, Brokerage Standard of Care, Economic Damages, Dispute Resolution
30+ years experience as a Commercial Real Estate Broker, Investor and Commercial Loan Broker.
Key principle (General Partner) in multiple boutique investment companies and Broker of Record for several Commercial Real Estate brokerage firms.
Has been involved in commercial real estate transactions totaling over $500,000,000. Examples of commercial real estate projects include: Acquisition and financing of 30 vacant properties with one loan via cross collateralization and built in release provisions, Acquisition and financing of ground up construction Class-A self storage facility, financed 49 properties with one loan via cross collateralization and built in release provisions, acquisition and financing of multiple out of state NNN (Triple-Net) properties.
Knowledgeable on commercial real estate sales contract trends, financing solutions, syndication structures, lender guidelines and creative transaction structures across multiple asset classes.
Extensive experience with highly ...
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Christine Davis, CPA, CFF, CGMA, CVA
Forensic Accounting and Damages Expert
Financial Evidence Group
Paso Robles, California
Accounting, Business Damages
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forensic accounting, lost earnings, lost profits, accountant malpractice, business interruption, wage & hour, economic damages, punitive damages, partnership LLC disputes, fraud, securities fraud Section 10(b), GAAP GAAS, insurance bad faith, valuations, real estate, employment, standard of care, ethics, audit standards, alter ego
A. Christine (Chris) Davis is an accounting and economic damages expert. She works with attorneys and their clients, businesses, nonprofits, and public agencies. Based in San Francisco, California for most of her career, Chris is now based in scenic Paso Robles, California with clients throughout the U.S.
Chris has over 30 years of combined professional experience in public accounting, financial accounting and reporting, management accounting, forensic accounting and litigation consulting, financial statement auditing, preparing corporate and partnership income tax returns, and calculating and reporting on the fair market value of privately held businesses. She holds professional credentials in public accounting, management accounting, financial forensics, and business valuation.
Chris's retention as a consulting and testifying expert are in the areas of forensic accounting, economic damages, financial accounting and reporting, and management accounting. She has led and partici...
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Steven M Edrington, CCIM, CPM, CFLC
CA Real Estate/Property Mgmt Standard of Care
Edrington and Associates
Oakland, California
Real Estate, Premises Liability
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Property management, broker, agent, landlord/tenant, land use zoning, California, Habitability Inspections, HOA, wrongful eviction, habitability, standard of care, rent control, real estate malpractice, commercial real estate, building codes, electrical codes, health and safety, residential real estate, real estate damages, Fair Housing
At Edrington and Associates, we are California real estate experts. Our specialization includes owner/property manager standard of care, implied warranty of habitability, building code compliance, economic damages, and rent differential analysis. Additionally, we can opine on HOA issues, broker/agent failure to disclose, and agency issues. We maximize value and solve complex real estate challenges for our clients. We are active practitioners in the field, in addition to our expert witness work.
Steve Edrington is a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), Certified Property Manager (CPM), Certified Forensic Litigation Consultant (CFLC), International Code Council (ICC) Residential Building Inspector, California Licensed Real Estate Broker, and California Licensed Class B General Contractor. Phil Barthman is an ICC Combination Inspector, an electrician, and a former Alameda County Building Inspector.
We are frequent presenters for the Bar Association of San Francisco, Alam...
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Justin D. Watts
HOME AND BUILDING INSPECTION EXPERT
ICC Certified Building Inspector
Rancho Santa Margarita , California
Building Inspection, Construction Defects
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home inspection, landlord tenant disputes, substandard housing, construction, building code violations, building inspection, code violations, water damage, property maintenance, pool and spa safety, code enforcement, housing inspection, commercial inspection, residential inspection, habitability, ADU, fire safety, real estate
Justin D. Watts has a diverse inspection background performing thousands of residential, commercial and industrial inspections in evaluation of all construction trades including structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing code compliance and construction defects. Mr. Watts has been employed by two government agencies as a Certified Building Inspector and Code Enforcement Officer. As the owner of American Dream Home Inspection, performed thousands of property inspections for home buyers in real estate transactions. Since 2007, he has provided litigation support for dozens of cases for law firms with an approximate 50/50 plaintiff and defendant client ratio. Mr. Watts has testified numerous times in depositions and court trials.
Certifications:
International Code Council – ICC California Commercial Building Inspector
International Code Council – ICC California Residential Building Inspector
State of California – Safety Assessment Program – CA DSW local ID#63255
National Asso...
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Charles A. Gabriels
Real Estate & Construction Defect Expert Witness
Full Service Real Estate; Planned Space - Construction
Monrovia, California
Real Estate, Construction Defects
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Construction Defects, Real Estate Broker, Home Inspectors, Fiduciary Duty, Disclosure, Buyer Representative, Responsible, Testimony, Landscaping, Fraud, Diminution-in-Value, Contracts, Standards of Care, Trial Strategy, Commissions, CAR - CA Asso. of Realtors, NAR - National Asso. of Realtors, Inspections, Elder Abuse, Consultation
Former Commercial Broker with Grubb & Ellis, and Pacific International.
Areas of Expertise include, but not limited to the following.
Real Estate: Standards of Care, Fiduciary Duty, Disclosure, Commissions, Representation, Dual Agency, Contracts, Diminution-in-Value, CAR and or NAR disputes, Consultation, Fraud, Real-Estate Elder-Abuse.
Trial Strategy: Know whether to settle, rather than fail a client whose case lacks merit;
Residential, multi-residential, commercial, and industrial real estate physical inspections and inspecors;
Condominium Parcel and Tract Maps:
Construction and Design Consulting Service;
Construction Defects;
Design/Build process;
California Building, and ADA Codes;
Landscaping;
Water Intrusion.
Trial and Arbitration Testimony in Superior Court, AAA and JAMS, initiated in 2002.
Expert witness testimony and litigation consulting services include site investigation, contract disputes, plus all that a case requires.
Licenses and Certifications:
California Real...
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Philip S Simmons, Esq.
Real Estate Acquisition, Entitlement & Development
Simmons Group Consulting, Inc.
Culver City, California
Real Estate, Legal
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Land Use, Entitlement, Real Property, Contracts, Partnerships, Development, Mixed-Use, Design, Due Digligence, Acquisition, Management, Negotiation, Agreements, Investment
I offer over thirty-five years of experience in successful private and corporate residential & mixed-use real estate acquisition, entitlement, design, investment, transaction and development operations. My specialization includes contracts and operations relating to land use, due diligence, major property entitlements, land development, project design, partnership structuring, marketing and disposition. As both an attorney and real estate broker, I regularly provide pre-litigation and litigation support – as well as expert witness services. I offer assistance to companies and legal counsel in leading complex negotiations, managing development teams, reviewing and implementing ordinances, drafting agreements, structuring compliance, and directing teams of outside counsel.
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John J. D'Andrea, Ph.D.
Real Estate Economic Damages and FInance
Realty Solutions
San Anselmo, California
Real Estate, Banking
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damages, mortgages/lending, Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS), loan underwriting, sub-prime lending, foreclosures/workouts, real estate syndications/limited partnerships, real estate development, appraisals-real estate, due diligence-loans and properties, forensic economics, real estate brokerage
Dr. D'Andrea has been involved in real estate consulting, finance, investment, management, development, and/or brokerage for more than 25 years. His clients have included investment banks, institutional investors and some of the largest financial institutions and most prestigious law firms in the country. His broad range of experience in property and portfolio analysis, real estate finance, business strategies, and forecasting provide a strong foundation for his expert witness practice. Dr. D’Andrea is a seasoned expert, having provided trial and deposition testimony, reports and declarations.
Dr. D'Andrea's expertise has been particularly beneficial to counsel when engaged either pre-litigation or in its early stages. He has assisted in succinct evaluation of case merits, reviewing documents for key provisions, discovery requests, examination preparation prior to and during depositions, and settlement negotiations.
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Samuel Murphy
Expert Valuation for Partitions & Estate Disputes
SM RE Inc.
Palos Verdes Estates, California
Real Estate Appraiser, Real Estate
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Real Estate Valuation, Estate Tax Valuation, Investment Real Estate, Retrospective Appraisal, Gift Tax Valuation, Commercial Real Estate, Date of Death Appraisal, Marital Dissolution, Divorce Appraisal, Partition Action, Industrial Real Estate, Partnership Dispute, Trust Dispute, Multi-Family Real Estate, Diminution of Value
Sam Murphy is a Certified General Real Estate Appraiser and licensed Real Estate Broker specializing in the valuation of complex commercial assets throughout Southern California. He provides litigation-grade analysis and expert testimony for high-stakes property disputes, focusing on Trust & Estate Litigation, Partition Actions, and Marital Dissolutions.
Dual-Perspective Expertise:
Unlike traditional academic appraisers, Sam leverages a background in commercial investment sales. He provides "market-participant" insight that bridges the gap between theoretical appraisal methodology and real-world deal-making. This dual-perspective is critical in testifying to market rent, cap rate selection, and highest and best use.
Specialized Services:
Retrospective Valuations: Expert in determining "Fair Market" values for IRS-compliant estate and gift tax filings.
Partition Actions: Specialized analysis for forced-sale scenarios and buy-sell agreements among co-owners.
Diminution in Value: ...
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