Advisors/Experts @ MCS Associates
Managing PartnerNorman Katz
13681 Newport Ave.Ste. 8-387
Tustin, CA 92780 Phone: (949) 263-8700 Fax: (949) 263-0770 Email: experts@mcsassociates.com Website: www.mcsassociates.com
Specialties
A nationwide specialist consulting and expert witness company (established 1973) that concentrates exclusively in Banking, Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Financial Services, Economics / Statistics and Accounting and related Damages.
MCS Litigation Practice – CV
Areas of Expertise include:
BANKING: Operations/Administration, Depository/Checking Accounts, Regulatory issues, Compliance; LENDING (all categories - including Residential, Commercial, Construction, Corporate, Personal, etc.), Underwriting, Credit/Administration, Servicing, Policies/practice; FINANCE: Securities, Investments & Brokerage, Trusts & Fiduciaries, Bankruptcy, Foreclosures and Workouts, Investment Banking, Corporate Finance; REAL ESTATE: Lending, Brokerage, Title/Escrow, Property Management, Development; INSURANCE (all categories): Coverage, Claims, Broker/Agent functions, Industry Custom/Practice, Policy Underwriting; Operations and Actuarial; DAMAGES & ACCOUNTING, Economics, Statistics, Valuations/Appraisals, Forensic Accounting & Accounting/Audit.
Degrees/Licenses
MBAs; PhDs; CPAs; ASA/MAIs; CPMs; CREs; CFPs; RE Brokers/Agents; Insurance brokers/agents; CPCUs; CLUs; ARMs and many more.
Prior Expert
Expert Witness and Litigation Consulting have been the primary focus of the company’s services for the past 30+ years, built on the expertise, resources and reputation of four decades as a leading provider of financial, operations, management and compliance consulting and expert services in our areas of specialization.
With 500 highly qualified and experienced experts/consultants providing evaluation, testimony and litigation consulting on behalf of both plaintiff and defendants of all types, our clients include leading national and regional law firms, many smaller/boutique litigation firms and attorneys, numerous governmental / regulatory agencies (FDIC, SEC, IRS, US and State DOJs, FHLB, etc.), financial institutions, and a wide-range nationwide of corporations and private individuals.
We also provide TARGETED SEARCHES AT NO COST for unique, hard-to-find/unusually specialized experts not already within our wide-ranging group; STRATEGIC ALLIANCES NATIONWIDE across the banking, financial, real estate and insurance industries; LEADING EXPERTS from the worlds of economics, accounting, academia and the regulatory agencies; POWERFUL CAPABILITIES IN DAMAGES, Forensic Accounting. Economic Analysis, and Valuations / Appraisals.
Robert S. Griswold, CPM, CRE, RPA, CCIM, PCAM, CCAM, ARM, GRI
PresidentGriswold Real Estate Management, Inc.
5703 Oberlin DriveSuite 300
San Diego, CA 92121-1743 Phone: (858) 597-6100 Alternate: (619) 719-7761 Fax: (858) 597-6161 Email: rgriswold@griswoldremgmt.com Website: www.griswoldremgmt.com
Specialties
Currently active as a day-to-day hands-on, licensed practitioner, consultant and expert witness for all types of real estate (residential, commercial, office, retail, hospitality, medical/dental, self-storage, etc.), including all aspects (except valuation) - standards of care, best practices, industry standards, and custom and practice standards for the ownership, management, operations, and maintenance, including property management/ownership, transactions and fiduciary duty issues – health & safety, habitability, roaches, bed bugs, mold, water intrusion, personal injury, trip & fall, slip & fall, premises liability, balcony collapse, wrongful death, lack of security, failure to maintain, property inspection, due diligence, wage/hour, negligent hiring/supervision, security deposit issues, rent stabilization ordinances (RSO), broker or agent failure to disclose; misrepresentation; negligence/fraud & association board duties, and real estate receivership.
Degrees/Licenses
Counselor of Real Estate (CRE) since 1997; Certified Property Manager (CPM) since 1986; Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM) since 2004; Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) since 2002; Certified Community Association Manager (CCAM) since 2003; Real Property Administrator (RPA) since 2018; Graduate, Realtor Institute (GRI) since 1999; Accredited Residential Manager (ARM) since 1988.
Formal Education
BS-Business Economics/Real Estate Finance, 1981; MBA-International Finance/ Real Estate Finance, 1986; MSBA-Real Estate Development, 1988. All degrees obtained at the Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California - Los Angeles.
Registration and Licenses
CA Real Estate Broker (1984-Present); NV Real Estate Broker (2002-Present); NV Property Management Certificate (2002-Present).
Previous/Current Position
City of San Diego Planning Commission (2005-2013) IREM National Instructor (1988-Present); Vice President, San Diego Receiver’s Forum; President, Escape for All Seasons Association (2014-2023); Secretary (1997-2001).
Honors/Awards
IREM Academy of Authors 1st Place (and only award presented), best Television Broadcast journalism, NBC News, National Association of Real Estate Editors (NAREE), 49th Annual National Real Estate Journalism competition. 1st Place, best Radio Broadcast journalism, Clear Channel Communications, National Association of Real Estate Editors (NAREE) 48th Annual National Real Estate Journalism competition, host of “Real Estate Today! with Robert Griswold”. CPM Professional Achievement Award (only the 6th active recipient in CA). AMO Firm of the Year (San Diego 1998).
Prof. Affiliations
Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) -CPM® and ARM®; American Society of Real Estate Counselors® (CRE®); Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA®; San Diego County Commercial Association of Realtors® (SDCCAR); San Diego County Apartment Association (SDCAA); California Apartment Association (CAA); National Apartment Association (NAA); Community Associations Institute (CAI)-PCAM®; California Association of Community Managers (CACM) - CCAM® and Management Firm Council; San Diego Association of Realtors® (SDAR); California Association of Realtors® (CAR).
Publications
Author of Property Management Kit for Dummies; Co-author of Real Estate Investing for Dummies; Co-author of Landlord's Legal Kit for Dummies. Co-Author of Mortgage Management for Dummies. Several of these books have been translated (Mandarin, Russian, French, German) as well as adapted for the international market in Canada, Great Britain, and Australia.
Prior Expert
40+ years experience; consultation: 4,000+ litigation matters; deposition: 700+ Sworn testimony in trial or arbitration: 200+ occasions in state and federal matters throughout the US (California, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii, Alaska, New Mexico, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, N. Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Florida, N. Carolina, S. Carolina, Georgia, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia and other states). Plaintiff 50%, Defense 50%. Consultant/Expert witness on all aspects of real estate.
Lawrence H. Jacobson Esq.
9777 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 517Beverly Hills, CA 90212 Phone: (310) 271-0747 Fax: (310) 271-0757 Email: law.jac@lhjpc.com Website: www.lawrencejacobson.com
Specialties
Real estate attorney (50+ years) and California Real Estate Broker (40+ years). Expertise includes interpretation of real estate documents, real estate and mortgage brokers’ standard of care, custom & usage, mortgage banking, lawyer malpractice in real estate and business transactions, legal ethics and fee disputes.
Degrees/Licenses
AB; JD; Real estate broker (CA).
Formal Education
Juris Doctorate, U.C.L.A. Law School, 1967; A.B. (Political Science), U.C.L.A., 1964.
Registration and Licenses
Certificate in Archaeology (earned with distinction), U.C.L.A. Extension, 2009; Community College Instructor, (Ca.) in the area of Law, Notary (1973).
Previous/Current Position
Lawrence H. Jacobson was installed as the 2011-2012 President of the Beverly Hills Bar Association. Has served as a judge pro tem for the Los Angeles and Beverly Hills Municipal Court Systems; has been an adjunct professor of law in the area of real estate secured transactions and administrative law; former Vice-President, Legal Affairs of the California Association of Realtors; Legal Counsel to the Newport Beach Association of Realtors and prior counsel to the Beverly Hills and Palm Springs Regional Associations of Realtors, and special counsel to the San Fernando Valley Board of Realtors.
Honors/Awards
Martindale-Hubbell AV Rated since 1980; Senior Editor, U.C.L.A. Law Review; Insurance Counsel Journal Award; Order of the Coif; Recipient of the California Continuing Education of the Bar’s 2011 “Spirit of CEB” Award.
Prof. Affiliations
State Bar of California; American Bar Association; Former Trustee, Los Angeles County Bar Association; President, Association of Real Estate Attorneys, 1978-1979; California State Bar Real Estate Steering Committee, 2011- present; Past President, Beverly Hills Bar Association, Los Angeles County Bar Professional Responsibility and Ethics Committee 2014-2018, California State Bar, Los Angeles County Bar and Beverly Hills Bar Association Fee Arbitration Panels.
Publications
He is a published author and frequent speaker on real estate. Among others: "The California Lottery Law," 48 California State Bar Journal 58, 1973; "Broker’s Liability for Sale of Defective Homes," cited by the Appellate Court in Easton v. Strassburger, 52 Los Angeles Bar Journal 346, 1977; "Appraiser’s Liability for False or Negligently Prepared Appraisal," 12 Appraisal and Mortgage Underwriting Journal 20, 1990; "Phantom Income - Understanding Taxable Gain From Foreclosure," Los Angeles Daily Journal, Real Property Law August 3, 1995; "The Expert Witness in Real Estate Litigation: A User’s Guide," Real Property Law Reporter March 2004; "Tenancy-in-Common: An Old Dog Learns New Tricks," 25 California Real Property Journal 25, 2007; "On Wearing Two Hats: Ethical Considerations for the Attorney-Expert Witness," California Civil Litigation Reporter, February 2007; Contributing Author, "California Real Estate Brokers: Law and Litigation" (Cal CEB 2009).
Prior Expert
Lawrence H. Jacobson is a highly respected expert witness throughout California. Mr. Jacobson has been an expert witness for over 40 years while maintaining a successful law practice. Extensive expertise in legal malpractice, ethics, real estate brokerage custom and practice and all real estate related issues. Has been retained in approximately 200 cases as an expert witness in cases involving the interpretation of real estate documents, real estate and mortgage brokers’ standard of care, legal malpractice involving real estate, corporate finance, merger and acquisition, legal ethics and legal fee disputes.
Eric L. Risberg MAI
Founder and PresidentAdvanced Appraisal International, Inc.
268 Bush Street, #2100San Francisco, CA 94104-3503 Phone: (415) 531-1414 Fax: (415) 449-3606 Email: eric.risberg@advanced-appraisal.com Website: www.advanced-appraisal.com
Specialties
Eric provides real estate appraisals of: shopping centers and all types of retail; apartments; condominium complexes; suburban or downtown office buildings; mixed-use facilities; industrial properties; hotels; waterfront properties; right-of-ways; easements; ground leases; subdivisions; resort properties; golf courses; airports; wineries and vineyards; and all types of land. He has completed many assignments needed for: landlord-tenant disputes, changes in market conditions, construction defects, fraud, and fair market rent determinations, for use in mediation, arbitration, appraisement and litigation.
Degrees/Licenses
MAI, ASA, SRA.
Formal Education
BS, Business Administration 1992 (Real Estate and Urban Land Economics), University of Wisconsin, Madison; BS, Business Administration 1992 (Risk Management & Insurance), University of Wisconsin, Madison. He has successfully completed over 70 real estate appraisal and brokerage courses since 1993.
Registration and Licenses
Certified General Real Estate Appraiser, State of California #025802, Licensed California Real Estate Broker #01231982, Certified General Real Estate Appraiser (Hawaii) #624.
Previous/Current Position
President and Founder of Advanced Appraisal International, Inc. Eric was formerly the lead real estate appraiser for American Appraisal, the world’s largest independent valuation firm, in their San Francisco office. He has over 25 years of commercial and residential real estate appraisal and consulting experience. Expert witness on over 100 cases.
Honors/Awards
Litigation Professional Development certificate from the Appraisal Institute. California Association of Realtors. National Association of Realtors. Approved Instructor with the Appraisal Institute.
Prof. Affiliations
American Society of Appraisers, Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA), Appraisal Institute, Designated Member (MAI), Senior Residential Appraiser (SRA), Appraisal Institute.
Prior Expert
Eric has provided expert witness testimony in the following California State Superior Courts: Alameda, Contra Costa, Orange County, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Solano, and Yuba. He has been hired as an expert on over 100 cases. Large cases in recent years include: Millennium Tower, PGE Forest Fires, BART.
Steven D. Epcar CPM
PrincipalS.D. Epcar & Associates
4907 Dartford PlaceGranite Bay, CA 95746 Phone: (916) 899-6218 Alternate: (650) 773-5482 Email: steven@stevenepcar.com Website: www.stevenepcar.com
Specialties
Expert in Real Estate and Property Management issues including Residential, Commercial, and mixed-use properties. Experienced in organizational assessments, asset repositioning, investment feasibility, litigation support (personal injuries, standard of care, premises liability security, partnership, brokerage and fee disputes, employment, rent control, etc.), due diligence, business development practices and marketing.
Formal Education
BS, Business, with emphasis in Real Estate, University of Colorado.
Registration and Licenses
Licensed California Real Estate Broker; Graduate Foundations of Leadership Program from the Center For Creative Leadership.
Previous/Current Position
Principal, S.D. Epcar & Associates; Principal/Founding Partner, Ventana Property Services; President, Prometheus Management Group. Background also includes positions of increasing responsibility with a variety of real estate brokerage, development, and investment firms.
Honors/Awards
Awarded Certified Property Manager (CPM) designation from the Institute of Real Estate Management.
Prof. Affiliations
Institute of Real Estate Management; Forensic Expert Witness Association; National Multi-Housing Council (past Board Member); California Housing Council (past Board Member); Building Owners and Managers Association; National Association of Realtors; California Apartment Association (Member, Property Management Policy Subcommittee); National Apartment Association; Housing Industry Foundation (past Board Member).
Prior Expert
Practicing real estate consultant with significant expert witness and litigation support experience (50% Plaintiff/50% Defendant). Background includes exposure to many markets throughout California, the United States and Canada. Experience includes 1031 Exchanges and Tenant-In-Common (TIC) investments. Comprehensive understanding of San Francisco Rent Control.
Howard L. Pearlman
Real Estate Attorney and Broker P.O. Box 71Orinda, CA 94563 Phone: (510) 540-5207 Email: hpearlmanesq@gmail.com
Specialties
Unique expertise derived from 35+ years as a real estate attorney and 25+ years as an active real estate broker. Areas of expertise include all aspects of real estate transactions, real estate contracts, seller and agent disclosure obligations, buyer due diligence, agency relationships, fiduciary duties, broker and attorney standards of care, and non-disclosure/fraud claims.
Degrees/Licenses
J.D.; Attorney (CA); RE Broker (CA).
Formal Education
J.D., cum laude, UC Hastings College of the Law, 1986; B.A., Reed College, 1980.
Registration and Licenses
California Licensed Attorney (1986) & Real Estate Broker (1988).
Previous/Current Position
Law Office of Howard L. Pearlman (2012-present). Real estate consulting and expert witness services; Attorney/Shareholder, Bartko Zankel Tarrant & Miller (1988-2012). 24 years litigating real estate, environmental, and construction disputes.
Honors/Awards
Martindale-Hubbell AV-Rated (Preeminent); Northern California "Super Lawyer" (2018-2022).
Prof. Affiliations
American Arbitration Association's National Roster of Arbitrators (2016-present); State Bar of California, Real Property Law Section; Bar Association of San Francisco; California Association of Realtors; Contra Costa Association of Realtors.
Publications
Author, "Residential Purchase and Sale Transactions," in CEB's CALIFORNIA REAL PROPERTY SALES TRANSACTIONS; Author, "Sale of Residence," in CEB's CALIFORNIA BASIC PRACTICE HANDBOOK; Author, "Hazardous Materials," in CEB's GROUND LEASE PRACTICE.
Lois Kadosh MA
Real Estate Broker/Educator 1569 Solano Avenue, #426Berkeley, CA 94707 Phone: (510) 525-2694 Fax: (925) 448-2048 Email: Realethics101@gmail.com
Specialties
Broker supervision & paperless transactions; 35 Years: Pre-litigation case evaluation; Consulting Expert/case preparation/Expert testimony; Standard of care/practices incl. agency relationships, fiduciary duty, due diligence, disclosure. Testified at 100+ depositions, 12 trials, 6 arbitrations. Real Estate Ethics course author/ instructor.
Degrees/Licenses
BS, MA, GRI, CA Real Estate Broker (DRE Lic.# 00819162), Community College Teaching Credential in real estate.
E. Robert Miller CPM
PresidentE. Robert Miller and Associates
330 Primrose Road, Suite 402Burlingame, CA 94010 Phone: (650) 373-0705 Fax: (650) 373-0709 Email: elymiller@hotmail.com Website: www.erobertmiller.com
Specialties
Expert in property management issues for all types of commercial and residential real estate. Experienced in arbitration, litigation, lease terms, personal injury, property damage, security, standards of care, and due diligence. Served on more than 1400 cases.
Degrees/Licenses
CPM, CIPS, CMC.
Formal Education
BS, School of Commerce, University of Wisconsin.
Registration and Licenses
Certified Property Manager (CPM); Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS); Certified Management Consultant (CMC). Certified Forensic Litigation Consultant (CFLC)
Previous/Current Position
President, McNeil Corp. - 53,000 apartment units and condominiums, 14 million sq. feet office building, shopping centers, industrial buildings and hotels. Sierra - 14½ million sq. ft. - Lexford 25,000 apt. units - Remanco - 7,000 apt-units and office bldgs.
Honors/Awards
Who's Who in California; Property Manager of the Year; Elected to Institute of Real Estate Management Academy of Authors; Institute of Real Estate Most Outstanding Editorial Contribution to the Field of Real Estate Management.
Prof. Affiliations
Past National President, Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM); Past National President, World Federation of Real Estate Brokers; Past Secretary General, World Property Management Committee; Past National Association of Realtors Board of Directors.
Publications
Over 30 articles in national management and financial publications; Author, "Managing and Leasing Residential Properties" (Wiley).
Prior Expert
Present Instructor, National Association of Realtors, Institute of Real Estate Management, College of San Mateo, Building owners and managers (BOMA) apartment association (AA), (Past) University of Wisconsin School of Commerce.
James H. Cantrell CPM, CAM
PresidentCantrell Associates
1517 North Point, Suite 539San Francisco, CA 94123 Phone: (415) 956-6000 Alternate: (415) 244-5927 Email: jimcha@pacbell.net Website: www.realestateexpertwitness.co
Specialties
Active Real Estate Consultant/Manager/Expert on all aspects of commercial and residential real estate. Expert in property management, property damage, standards of care, personal injury, maintenance. Extensive experience.
Degrees/Licenses
Certified Property Manager (CPM); Condominium Association Manager (CAM)
Formal Education
BBA, Business-Politics and Public Affairs, University of Miami, 1971.
Registration and Licenses
CA Real Estate Broker; CAM - State of Florida
Previous/Current Position
Past President of Cantrell, Harris & Associates since 1986, a diverse real estate consulting firm doing property and asset management throughout the country. President of Cantrell Associates which provides property management plus litigation support and expert witness services.
Honors/Awards
2013 Lloyd D. Hanford Distinguished Faculty Award IREM, CPM Emeritus Award 2011 IREM, 1987, Franklin Lyons Award IREM CPM of the year, 2001 & 2007, Instructor of the year award IREM San Francisco.
Prof. Affiliations
Institute of Real Estate Management.
Publications
Contributing Author of the John Wiley Handbook to Real Estate, published by John Wiley 1984.
Prior Expert
Associate Professor Golden Gate University (1986-1996) Instructor, Institute of Real Estate Management IREM, President San Francisco Chapter of IREM 1985, Appointed by the Mayor to the San Francisco "Existing Building Efficiency Initiative Task Force." Featured speaker at the NFMT conference on Emergency Procedures Chicago 2007, and Baltimore 2008 and 2009.
AncestryProGenealogists
1300 Traverse ParkwayLehi, Utah 84043 Phone: (385) 775-5743 - Project Estimates and Sales: Elizabeth Scott Alternate: (385) 775-5765 - Research Team Manager: Deena Darst Email: probate@ancestry.com Website: www.progenealogists.com/heir-research
Specialties
Work primarily with attorneys practicing in trusts and estates, probate, and real estate on legal matters requiring identification of next-of-kin.
Family tree reconstruction of complete families or select branches of interest.
Identification of unknown heirs, missing beneficiaries, or interested parties, both domestically and internationally.
Descendancy research to locate contact information for living people.
Verification, completion, or correction of research begun by other parties.
Researchers hold disinterested third-party status, producing independent findings and impartial testimony.
Production of court-ready work product, including affidavits of due diligence, family charts, exhibits, and custom deliverables.
Degrees/Licenses
Our research staff hold the following industry credentials: Accredited Genealogist, Certified Genealogist, Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists, Genetic Genealogy Certification, Project Management Professional (PMP), paralegal certificate, court-qualified expert witness
Degrees and fields of study include: Advanced degrees (4 Juris Doctors, 10 Ph.D., 59 MA); BBA/MBA (Marketing, Management); Bachelor’s degrees (with concentrations in Family History, History, Civil War, 19th Century America, Museum Studies, Oral History Art History, English, Linguistics, Anthropology, Photography)
Licenses: Private Investigator
Languages: 32 read, 20 spoken
Our research staff includes many published authors and conference/institute speakers on genealogical topics.
Frederick J. Fisher J.D., CCP
PresidentFisher Consulting Group
214 Main StreetSte 181
El Segundo, CA 90245 Phone: (310) 426-2105 Alternate: (310) 413-6200 Fax: (310) 356-3355 Email: fjfisher@fishercg.com Website: www.fishercg.com
Specialties
Insurance Agent /Broker Professional Liability; Wholesale / MGA/MGU Insurance Professional Liability; Insurer Bad Faith; Claims Adjuster/ TPA Professional Liability; other types of professional Liability / Standard of Care in a selective basis, Insurance Regulatory Expert on a selective basis.
Degrees/Licenses
J.D. degree; California Insurance Agent, Broker and Surplus Lines License; California Insurance Adjuster License
Formal Education
B.A., UC Berkeley, 1972; J.D. Degree, 1976 - Lincoln University Law School, San Francisco, Ca. (merged into USF Law School)
Previous/Current Position
President - Fisher Consulting Group 2010 - Present.; 1994 - 2010, Founder, President and CEO, Post Acquisition; Sr. Vice President, E.L.M Insurance Brokers (includes predecessor Sole-Proprietorship prior to Incorporation); 1975 - 1995, Staff Adjuster/Vice-President; Founder/President of The Fisher Associates, Adjusters (includes Predecessor Firm of Miller &Gilbert, Inc). Six 6 year Member, Board of Trustees; 1998, President of the Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS).
Honors/Awards
2019 recipient of the PLUS Founders Award
Prof. Affiliations
PLUS; The CLM (Claims and Litigation Management Alliance); Sr. Tech. Advisor of Professional Liability Insurance, published by the International Risk Management Institute; 2021 Co-Chair of the Ins. Agent - Broker Committee; Prof Liab. Def. Federation.
Publications
Over 75 articles in Insurance Trade Journals on Professional Liability Prevention, Coverage and related issues from 1979 through current.
Prior Expert
30 years experience, over the past 10 years: retained on over 80 Cases, 17 trials + depositions; 50-50 Plaintiff/defense work.
Edrington & Associates
Steven Edrington, CPM, President
Phillip Barthman, Sr. Building Inspector
1901 Harrison Street14th Floor
Oakland, Ca 94612 Phone: (510) 749-4880 Email: steve@edringtonandassociates.com Website: www.edringtonandassociates.com
Specialties
Expert witness and consulting services for landlord-tenant disputes including wrongful eviction, habitability, premises liability, property management standard of care, and damages. We also opine on real estate transactions and can provide a broker's opinion of value.
Degrees/Licenses
Certified Property Manager (CPM); Certified Forensic Litigation Consultant (CFLC); Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM); California Certified Residential Manager (CCRM); Real Estate Broker (DRE #01129470), ICC Combination Building Inspector
Formal Education
B.S. Finance, Golden Gate University, 1997
Previous/Current Position
Steven Edrington: Grubb and Ellis, Associate Investment Broker specializing in apartment buildings (1995-1998); Moison Investment Co. Investment Broker specializing in apartment buildings (1999-2000); California Apartment Association, Board of Directors (2001); East Bay Rental Housing Association (formerly known as RHANAC), President (2001) then Executive Director (2002-2010).
Philip Barthman: Apprentice Electrician, IBEW #595, San Leandro, California (1982-1986); Journeyman Electrician, IBEW #595, Dublin, California (1986-1998); Building Inspection Consultant, Linhart, Peterson, Powers & Associates (1998-1999); Building Inspector II, Alameda County (1999-2020)
Honors/Awards
AM Best Client Recommended Expert Service Provider (2021)
CCIM Northern California MVP (2012)
Prof. Affiliations
Bar Association of San Francisco; Alameda County Bar Association; San Francisco Apartment Association; East Bay Rental Housing Association; Institute of Real Estate Management; Bridge Association of Realtors; Forensic Expert Witness Association, CCIM Northern California Chapter; Women's Auxiliary; Right Path to Learning.
Publications
Over 40 published articles in the Rental Housing Magazine (EBRHA), has also been published in the San Francisco Apartment Association Magazine.
Prior Expert
Over 70 retentions in the past 4 years including significant experience in depositions, trials, and mediations on both plaintiff and defendant sides.
John S. Preston Esq.
AttorneyLaw Offices of John S. Preston
1138 Skycrest Drive#4
Walnut Creek, CA 94595 Phone: (510) 289-0766 Email: johnprestonmediation@gmail.com Website: www.johnprestonmediation.com
Specialties
(A) Specializing in Mediation + Arbitration regarding CAR purchase and sale agreements; Real Estate - all aspects of Real Estate law/practice incl: Buyer & Seller Disputes; Easement, Options, Inspections, Partitions, Construction, Broker Disclosure, Standards of care, Limited Partnerships: Purchase and Sale Contracts, Mortgage and Lending Practices;
(B) Attorney Fee Disputes, Trial testimony regarding reasonable fees has included Lodestar method, Laffey Matrix, Vague & Duplicate billing entries, Block Billing, ambiguous hourly rates. (C) Law Firm Dissolution, Mediation/dispute resolution.
Degrees/Licenses
BA, JD, Real Estate Broker (1994), Certified Mediator (UC Berkeley) 87237.
Formal Education
BA, Economics, Syracuse University, 1969; JD, Law, University of Wisconsin, 1972. Wisconsin Law Review.
Registration and Licenses
Licensed Real Estate Broker, State Bar (CA)
Previous/Current Position
General Counsel and Chief Financial Officer for Fayette Manufacturing Corp. Duties included loan agreements, investment prospectuses, limited partnerships and every aspect of corporate troubleshooting, as well as commercial leases, easements, licenses and managing law firms (including reasonable billing practices and fees). Panelist Mediator, Bay Area Counties, regarding attorney fee disputes. Conducted in excess of 200 mediations and arbitrations.
Honors/Awards
University of Wisconsin Law Review, 1972. Current member, SF INNS of Court.
Prof. Affiliations
CA State Bar Association; AAA, PSA and NYSE arbitration and East Bay county mediation panels.
Prior Expert
(A) RE Expert testimony in over a dozen trials: 20+ yrs testimony. Acted as: Principal, RE Broker, General/Limited Partner, Litigator, Appellate Lawyer, Arbitrator & Mediator. Credentialed Testimony Includes: CAR contracts; "Attorney Fee Clauses" and determination and award of reasonable legal fees, "Agency Relationships" (& other normally inadmissible contractual matters). Credential Expert Testimony includes determination of reasonable and necessary attorney fees during retention using a variety of factors. (B) Arbitrated/Mediated 250+ cases (many with Atty Fees Provisions & Awards).