I just completed part 2 in a 3 part series in the Litigation Professional Development Program offered by The Appraisal Institute. The course, Litigation Appraising: Specialized Topics and Applications, was a great networking opportunity for appraisers from across the country. Another great aspect of this AI course was the small class size which fostered more interaction not only with the course instructor, Vince Dowling, but also with the 10 other attendees. In my opinion, this type of intimate setting leads to more discussion and participation, and less of the course instructor talking at the group.

We discussed a wide range of topics:

• Divorce
• Trust work
• Partial Takes
• Date of death and real estate
• Partnership disputes
• Foreclosure
• Construction Defects
• Environmental Contamination
• Stigma
• Appraisal Disputes
• Insurance Claims
• Bankruptcy

As you can see, we had a long 2 days! In my opinion, not enough breaks! I think some of the most interesting discussions came from attendees experiences with the construction defects, especially the recent plague of Chinese Drywall, and contamination of property. As I live in San Diego, and we don’t have the same issues with the Chinese drywall like those on the east coast and Florida, it was interesting to learn of the problems that resulted. There were also contamination stories from industrial properties which I found fascinating. In one case, there was a 5 acre plot of land left vacant due to industrial contamination by a large and well known chemical company.

As I mentioned, this is the 2nd course of a 3 course series relating to Litigation Appraising. Upon completion of the 3rd course, Condemnation Appraising: Principles & Applications, I will have taken and passed all 3 parts of the Professional Development Program in Litigation from the Appraisal Institute. The completion of this program will allow me to better assist my litigation clients, and my desire for becoming an expert witness.

Luckily, the last course is offered in San Diego, as the first was in Ontario, and this last course was in Costa Mesa. It will be great to stay home during the 3 day class, and not stay in a hotel. This means I should still be able to get some work done after class!