Litigation Support Appraisals in Los Angeles
Your partnership dispute turns on what a Burbank warehouse was worth two years ago. What must the appraisal settle before work starts?
Send the property description, disputed value issue, effective date, intended use, and relevant documents. Kevin reviews the proposed valuation scope before engagement. An appraisal provides a value analysis; it does not decide liability, establish recoverable damages, or promise a litigation result. Any hearing role needs separate confirmation with Kevin and counsel.
Kevin O'Brien, MAI, SRA, Certified General appraiser, California License #3005065, reviews the proposed assignment before engagement.
Turn the dispute into a defined valuation question
If a Burbank warehouse changed occupancy after the disputed date, separate the earlier leases and condition from later events. Identify whether the request is for a new value opinion or consideration of particular assumptions in an existing report. Scope and availability are confirmed for the matter.
Do not assume procedural services from a page title
Discuss any requested hearing role with Kevin and counsel before engagement. Counsel identifies the intended recipient, legal theory, deadlines, and disclosure instructions. Kevin determines the valuation work he can undertake and the documentation needed for it.
Litigation Support Appraisals in Los Angeles
Expert witness testimony, depositions, and rebuttal analysis for commercial property disputes
Case Evaluation and Strategy
Early in litigation, attorneys often need expert input to evaluate the strength of valuation claims and develop case strategy. We provide preliminary assessments, identify key valuation issues, and help attorneys understand the appraisal aspects of their cases. This early engagement helps focus discovery, identify necessary documentation, and develop effective litigation strategies.
Appraisal Report Preparation
Litigation appraisals demand the highest level of documentation and support. We prepare detailed USPAP-compliant appraisals that thoroughly explain our methodology, document our data sources, and provide comprehensive support for our conclusions. Every statement in our reports is defensible, and our work files contain the evidence to support our testimony.
Opposing Expert Review
Understanding the opposing expert's opinions and identifying potential weaknesses is crucial in litigation. We review opposing appraisals with a critical eye, identifying methodological flaws, unsupported assumptions, data errors, and logical inconsistencies. Our rebuttal reports and consulting assistance help attorneys effectively challenge opposing valuations.
Damages Quantification
Many real estate disputes require quantification of damages rather than simple property valuation. We apply our valuation expertise to various damage theories, including diminution in value, loss of use, lost profits (when real-estate related), and remediation cost impacts. Our damages opinions are grounded in sound appraisal methodology and withstand legal scrutiny.
Depending on the case, damages might be measured by the difference between actual value and represented value, by rental value during a period of interference, or by other appropriate measures. We work with counsel to understand the applicable legal theories and develop valuation analyses that address the relevant damage measures.
Working with Legal Teams
Effective litigation support requires close collaboration between experts and attorneys. We maintain clear communication throughout engagements, providing regular updates and responding promptly to questions and requests. We understand attorney-client privilege and work within appropriate confidentiality protocols.
Need Litigation Support?
Contact us today to discuss your case and expert witness needs.
What to gather before calling
You do not need every document to start. Use the Los Angeles County Assessor mapping guidance to identify the AIN and reconcile address aliases. The Assessor's maps are not surveys or legal descriptions, and an assessed value is not an appraisal conclusion.
| Record or detail | Why it matters here |
|---|---|
| Property AINs, title information, and disputed interest | Identify the real estate question rather than the whole legal claim. |
| Requested effective date and dated property records | Reconstruct conditions relevant to a historical assignment. |
| Existing reports and identified points of disagreement | Focus discussion on actual assumptions, data, or value questions. |
| Counsel's scope, recipient, and deadline instructions | Confirm the proposed work and any separate hearing request. |
Testimony is not assumed; whether Kevin O'Brien appears at a deposition or hearing is agreed in writing at engagement.
From the first call to the report
- Counsel describes the disputed property value and requested use.
- Kevin reviews assignment suitability, the interest, and the effective date.
- Confirm written scope, fee, delivery estimate, and document access.
- Kevin studies the property evidence for the agreed valuation question.
- Provide the agreed work product and discuss questions within that scope.
Choose the next page for your decision
- Divorce or partner dissolution
Use this page when ownership division is the reason for the valuation.
- Eminent domain valuation
Use this page for an agency acquisition or a partial taking.
Start with the property, the interest being valued, the effective date, and the intended use and recipient. Ask Kevin O'Brien for a written scope, fee, and delivery estimate.