Attorney Retains Substandard Appraisal Expert

Case Overview

This case takes place in West Virginia and involves alleged attorney malpractice in the representation of a client at an eminent domain hearing. Plaintiff argues the attorney representing them in the condemnation proceeding retained an appraiser who was not one of the previously approved appraisers as per an existing agreement. This appraiser’s valuation was substantially lower than anticipated and was rejected by the judge presiding over the case. We require an attorney who specializes in eminent domain matters to review the case and opine as to whether the attorney’s actions in this case constitute malpractice.

Questions to the Law expert and their responses

Do you frequently work on matters relating to eminent domain?

I have represented clients in eminent domain and inverse condemnation cases. I taught appraisal in one of my classes at Virginia Tech, and teach eminent domain in my classes at WVU College of law, and taught the topic in my courses at Virginia Tech. Appraisers and appraisals are a frequent topic of discussion.

Have you represented clients in a condemnation proceeding?

I have represented clients in eminent domain and inverse condemnation cases.

About the expert

This expert is the Lead Land Use Attorney at the Land Use and Sustainable Development Law Clinic and Associate Professor of Law at a the top law school in West Virginia. Before joining his current institution, this expert was an associate professor in urban affairs and planning at Virginia Tech, teaching land use law, environmental law, and real estate. His research and experience focuses on land use law. Prior to his academic endeavors, this expert was in private practice in Virginia. He presently serves on the Board of Directors of the American Agricultural Law Association. He previously served on the Virginia Farmland Protection Task Force and the Virginia Water Policy Technical Advisory Committee.