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Archive | 2019

October 3, 2019

ARE PIPELINES RUNNING OUT OF GAS?

          In an interesting article written by Phil McKenna in Inside Climate News, Mr. McKenna reports that recent federal court rulings could give states more authority to oppose natural gas pipeline projects.  As Trump tries to clear the way for more fossil fuel pipeline construction, a diverse coalition of environmental advocates and landowners are gaining traction in their efforts to fight new pipeline projects by focusing on property rights.           The article argues that a pipeline’s use for eminent domain is inappropriate.  As we know, eminent domain is an inherent… read more

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Posted in Natural Gas Act, Pipelines, Uncategorized
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September 23, 2019

YOUR EXPERT IS COMMITTING PERJURY, WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

I was recently cross-examining an expert witness who had never testified before. I asked him whether he had made any prior reports to the one in evidence. He hesitated for a long time. His body language indicated evasiveness. Finally, he said, “I don’t think so.” I tried to pin him down and asked him again if he ever submitted any other report, draft report, or written or oral opinion to counsel. Again, he said “no.” But he lied under oath. The lie was made evident when cross examining another witness… read more

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Posted in Attorneys' Ethics, Perjury, Uncategorized
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September 12, 2019

PROVING FAIR MARKET VALUE BY THE MARKET DATA APPROACH. ARE YOUR COMPARABLES REALLY COMPARABLE?

An appraisal presents a pure factual presentation of data and information utilized by an expert to conclude to an opinion of value.  In New York State, an appraisal is required to be exchanged and filed pursuant to Court Rule.  22 NYCRR Sec. 202.61.  See Miriam Osburn Memorial Home Assoc. v Assessor of Rye, 2004 N.Y. Slip. Op. 50793 (U) (West. Sup. Ct. 2004). The Appraisal Rule allows the parties to prepare for trial with knowledge of each other’s valuations and the foundations and justifications thereof.  Parisi v State, 62 Misc2d 378, 382… read more

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Posted in Appraisal Rule, Comparable Sales, Market Data Approach, Uncategorized
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September 4, 2019

MY ADVICE TO APPRAISERS

          After fifty years of trying condemnation cases, I am consistently surprised at the occasional instance where an appraiser just does not know how to properly testify in court.           On paper, an appraiser may be incredibly impressive.  But is that enough for one to prevail in a case focused on valuation?           Providing expert testimony certainly requires expert knowledge of the subject, but it also requires knowledge of the fundamental rules that should be observed when on the witness stand.  The rules will vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.  An… read more

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Posted in Appraisers, Expert Testimony, Uncategorized
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August 27, 2019

MEMO TO APPRAISERS: KEEP IT SIMPLE

          An interesting decision from the Fourth Department presents the issue of can an appraisal be limited to the study of specific economic measurements.  Most appraisals of property taken in condemnation consider the three basic methods of valuation, Viz.: comparable sales or market data approach; capitalization of income; or, the cost or specialty approach.           In Matter of Rochester Genesee Regional Trans. Auth. v Stensrud, ___ AD3d ____ (June 7, 2019), the condemnor’s motion to strike that part of claimant’s appraisal report with respect to “investment value” and to preclude… read more

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Posted in Appraisal, Methods of Valuation, Uncategorized
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