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General Info
 
Speaker
 


 Schedule
 

2026 Valuation Law Symposium
Thursday, June 11 | 8:00am – 5:00pm ET 

Time Session
8:00am - 8:20am Registration & Networking 
8:20am - 8:30am

Welcome & Course Overview by Joshua Wood, JD, MAI, AI-GRS

8:30am - 9:45am

So You Want to Be a Litigation Appraiser?

9:45am - 11:00am

Malpractice: Where Standards Fail - and How to Get it Right 

11:00am - 11:15am

Break

11:15am - 12:15pm

Short-Term Rentals (STRSs) and Their Impact on SFR Values

12:15pm - 1:00pm

Lunch (Lunch will be provided)

1:00pm - 2:00pm

Expert Panel Discussion: STR Perspective from the Front Lines

2:00pm - 3:00pm

Connelly v. Lanham: Court-Defined Guidance on Racial Bias

3:00pm - 3:15pm

Break

3:15pm - 4:30pm

Title and Its Discontents: Wild, Weird, and Costly Title Problems

4:30pm - 4:45pm

Open Discussion & Q&A Engagement

  

 Objectives 

So You Want to Be a Litigation Appraiser?
An insider’s guide to stepping into litigation appraising and consulting.

This is perfect for appraisers curious about litigation support but unsure where to start. Attendees gain a clear, real‑world overview of litigation appraisal work, what attorneys expect, and how to position themselves for opportunities. The program concludes with a candid, interactive Q&A focused on practical steps for breaking into the field.

Learning Objectives:

-Overview of litigation appraisal and consulting
-Differences from traditional appraisal assignments
-Expectations from attorneys and legal professionals
-Pathways into litigation work 


 
Malpractice: Where Standards Fail—and How to Get It Right
A deeper look at one of the most overlooked risks in appraisal practice.

While appraisers routinely claim to “follow standards,” those standards are often vague, inconsistently applied, or poorly documented. This course begins with real malpractice scenarios and systematically moves toward defensible best practices, helping attendees reduce risk and strengthen their work under scrutiny.

 Learning Objectives:

-Review of real-world malpractice scenarios
-Gaps in interpretation and application of standards
-Risk exposure in appraisal practice
-Developing defensible best practices 

 



Short‑Term Rentals (STRs) and Their Impact on Single‑Family Residential Values

Understanding how STRs are reshaping markets.

This timely presentation explores the growing influence of short‑term rentals on the single‑family residential market. Attendees will learn how STRs affect market behavior, highest and best use analysis, neighborhood dynamics, and valuation conclusions regarding one of today’s most challenging and evolving property types. 

Learning Objectives:

-Market and valuation impacts of STR activity
-Highest and best use considerations
-Regulatory and neighborhood effects 

 



Expert Panel Discussion: The STR Perspective from the Front Lines
Legal and market insights from area experts.

Featuring an attorney or broker actively working in a resort market, this  panel discussion provides a firsthand look at the regulatory, legal, and economic realities of short‑term rentals. Participants will gain valuable perspective on how STRs are viewed by municipalities, and market participants—and what that means for valuation professionals. Lunch will be provided.

 Learning Objectives:

-Guest speaker (attorney or broker) engaging with instructor Josh Wood
-Legal and market perspectives on STRs
-Practical implications for valuation professionals
 


Connelly v. Lanham: Court‑Defined Guidance on Racial Bias in Appraisals
A deep-dive into one of the profession’s most important legal developments.

This focused case study examines Connelly v. Lanham and the judge’s clear direction on how appraisers must address and prevent bias. The session translates the court’s findings into actionable guidance, helping appraisers understand what to do differently—and how courts expect bias to be identified, analyzed, and avoided.

 Learning Objectives:

-Case overview and key judicial findings
-Identifying and addressing bias in appraisal practice
-Compliance expectations and professional standards 



Title and Its Discontents: Wild, Weird, and Costly Title Problems
Because title issues are never as simple as they seem.

Equal parts educational and entertaining, this popular session walks through a series of unusual—and sometimes unbelievable—title issues encountered in real estate assignments.

 Learning Objectives:

-Complex and unusual title issues
-Case-based learning examples
-Practical implications for appraisal assignments 



Overall Course Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

-Describe the role and expectations of appraisers in litigation assignments
-Identify common sources of professional liability and malpractice risk
-Apply defensible best practices in the absence of clearly defined standards
-Analyze the impact of short-term rentals on residential property valuation
-Interpret judicial guidance related to bias in appraisal practice
-Recognize complex title issues and their implications for valuation assignments