2026 Valuation Law Symposium

This one-day program features a series of practical, timely, and engaging sessions designed to expand appraisal practice knowledge across litigation support, risk management, emerging market influences, legal developments, and real-world assignment challenges.

The day begins with foundational litigation appraisal guidance and malpractice risk analysis, followed by sessions exploring the impact of short-term rentals on residential markets and valuation. A mid-day lunch and learn provides real-world legal and market insight into STRs from practitioners working in active resort markets.

The afternoon program focuses on critical legal and professional issues impacting appraisal practice, including a landmark case study on racial bias in appraisal work and a highly engaging review of complex and unusual real estate title problems that frequently impact valuation conclusions.

Who Should Enroll
  • Designated members
  • Candidates for Designation
  • Practicing Affiliates and those interested in readmitting to the Appraisal Institute
  • Appraisers interested in litigation support, risk mitigation, complex assignments, and evolving market trends

Objectives

So You Want to Be a Litigation Appraiser?
This session provides a rapid-fire introduction to litigation appraisal and consulting work. Attendees will gain insight into what attorneys expect from expert witnesses, how litigation assignments differ from traditional appraisal practice, and how to position themselves for entry into this specialized field. The session concludes with a live Q&A focused on practical next steps for breaking into litigation support.

Appraisal Malpractice: Where Standards Fail—and How to Get It Right
This course examines one of the most overlooked risks in appraisal practice: professional malpractice exposure. Building on prior presentations and published work, the session explores how standards are applied in practice, where gaps and inconsistencies arise, and how those issues can create liability risk. Through real-world malpractice scenarios, attendees will learn how to identify vulnerabilities and implement more defensible, well-supported appraisal practices.

Airbnb & Short-Term Rentals: Impacts on Single-Family Residential Markets
This presentation explores how short-term rental activity is reshaping single-family residential markets. Attendees will examine impacts on market behavior, neighborhood dynamics, highest and best use analysis, and valuation outcomes in areas experiencing STR growth. The session focuses on practical implications for appraisers working in rapidly evolving residential environments.

Lunch Session: STRs from the Legal & Market Front Lines
This lunch and learn session features an attorney or broker actively engaged in a resort or high-STR market. Participants will gain firsthand insight into the regulatory environment, enforcement challenges, and real-world market dynamics influencing short-term rentals. The discussion provides valuable perspective on how STRs are viewed by municipalities and market participants, and what that means for valuation professionals. Lunch will be provided.

Connelly v. Lanham: Court Guidance on Racial Bias in Appraisal Practice
This case study examines the court’s findings in Connelly v. Lanham and its implications for appraisal practice. The session translates judicial expectations into actionable guidance, focusing on how bias must be identified, addressed, and documented in professional work. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of evolving legal standards and practical steps for ensuring defensible, unbiased appraisal analysis.

Title and Its Discontents: Unusual (and Unbelievable) Title Issues
This engaging session explores a series of real-world title issues that have created unexpected challenges in appraisal assignments. Through fast-paced and illustrative examples, attendees will examine how title complications arise, why they matter, and how they can significantly impact valuation conclusions. The session is both educational and entertaining, highlighting risks that even experienced appraisers may encounter.

Credits:
    • 7 Hours – pending approval from NC Appraisal Board, SC Appraisal Board and VA DPOR