Real Estate: Escrow Expert Witnesses: 6

MCS Associates is a nationally recognized consulting group that has provided financial, operations and regulatory/compliance consulting services nationwide to financial institutions, insurance companies and regulatory agencies as well as real estate and financial services organizations for over 40 years. Expert Witness and Litigation Consulting are a primary focus of our services. We undertake expert witness assignments throughout the United States and our clients include several hundred leading law firms around the country, working on behalf of both plaintiff and defendant financial institutions, borrowers, depositors, investors, developers, insurance companies and their insured, securities/insurance/real estate brokers/agents, regulators and government agencies, and individuals. 

Together with MCS Associates’ specialized resources in banking, financial services and real estate, we also draw on key strategic alliances in insurance, economics, academia and the securities industry to meet a wide range of expert witness needs. Our litigation experts include experienced bankers, lenders, consultants, regulators, managers, brokers & agents in insurance, real estate, and securities; insurance claims and underwriting managers; economists, accountants, appraisers, real estate analysts, and academics. 

Areas of Expertise Include:

• Banking Operations/Administration
• Check Fraud
• Lending Policies, Custom and Practice
• Loan Underwriting & Credit Administration
• Loan Securitizations & Servicing
• Bankruptcy, Foreclosures and Workouts
• Trust & Fiduciary Issues / Operations
• Securities Brokerage & Investments
• Valuations & Damages Analysis
• Forensic Accounting
• Employment / Compensation
• Real Estate Brokerage & Management
• Title Insurance & Escrow
• Real Estate Appraisal & Transactions
• Insurance Industry Custom & Practice
• Insurance Coverages / Claims Handling
• Insurance Bad Faith

Kevin M. Burke, JD, originally licensed in real estate in 1979, brings extensive experience as a seasoned Real Estate Standard of Care Expert Witness. Kevin has been approved by the California Department of Real Estate as a real estate school, teaching the Buyer Representation Agreement, and by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation as a pre-license Certified Instructor. He possesses a real estate Broker license in both California and Virginia. 

Kevin is a Court Certified Expert Witness on the subject of Real Estate Standard of Care, Agents Duties of Inspection and Disclosure, and Market Conditions. 

Kevin graduated from law school after earning the renowned American Jurisprudence Award in Real Estate Transactions and is Chair of the Expert Witness forum for the California Association of REALTOR®. He is also the Chair of the Professional Standards Committee, and in the past has been Chair of Legal Affairs, and REALTOR Risk Management and Consumer Protection Forums for the California Association of REALTORS, and sits on the Attorney Roundtable, and Professionalism and Ethics Advisory Committee for the Northern Virginia Association of REALTORS. Kevin is a long time Member of the National Association of REALTORS Risk Management Issues Committee, as well as the Professional Standards Committee.

Kevin continually teaches (for over 20 years) Real Property Law (ABA MCLE credit) in the Paralegal Program at UCSD. He has helmed management positions among the three largest real estate franchises in California and has a profound understanding of the intricacies of real estate transactions. He is well known for his ability to impart wisdom on real estate law, risk management, and brokerage operations. Kevin's dedication to fostering the growth of real estate professionals is evident through his role as a College Instructor, where he has equipped agents with the tools necessary for success in today competitive market.

Kevin M. Burke, JD on Disclosures - Statutory or Contractual

Kevin's leadership has been recognized in various prestigious positions within the real estate community, including being past President of both the Greater San Diego and the North San Diego County Associations of REALTOR®. Kevin's approach to real estate is deeply rooted in a philosophy of excellence and integrity, paving the way for excellence in the real estate profession.

View Kevin M. Burke's Consulting Profile.

James H. Cantrell, CPM®CAM is a recognized Real Estate Property Management Expert with over 40 years experience. He has served as an expert witness for over 15 years in over 300 cases throughout the country. He is active in day to day management.   Mr. Cantrell has managed a variety of product types, apartments, high-rise office, condominium  association management, industrial/warehouse properties, retail, and large hotels. He is currently active in day to day asset and property management and has established management programs that have maximized the values of the various investments. He is experienced in Case analysis and Court testimony.

Background - Mr. Cantrell served as the President of Cantrell, Harris & Associates, a San Francisco-based real estate management and consulting firm that was formed 30 years ago. He has formed Cantrell Associates which provides property management, litigation support, and expert witness services.  He is a CA Real Estate Broker.  He was an Associate Professor at Golden Gate University for 9 years teaching a  Real Estate Asset/Property management course in the MBA program. He is a graduate of the University of Miami and holds the Certified Property Manager  (CPM) designation from the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) where he has been on the faculty for 30 years teaching many courses throughout the United States, Russia and Poland.   

He has an extensive career starting with Arlen Realty as a property supervisor, handling properties in the United States Investment Fund Portfolio, and has held the position of Equity Administrator with Clevetrust Realty Investors, responsible for managing numerous properties throughout the Country. He also served as Treasurer of Regency Equities, a Real Estate Investment Trust, traded on NASDQE, and was President of Plaza Equities Management, Inc., with a national portfolio of mixed assets under his direction. He has served as a Court appointed Receiver on all types of assets throughout California.

Litigation Support - Mr. Cantrell has served or consulted as an expert on behalf of both Plaintiffs and Defendants in over 300 cases. He is uniquely qualified with his experience and teaching background and is your best choice as an expert in litigation.

Areas of Expertise:

View James Cantrell's Consulting Profile.

Jack G. Cohen has been involved in the Private Money Lending and  Real Estate Industry for over 30 years. He is currently the managing member and director of a private money real estate lending, real estate development, and investment property management company. He is also the San Fernando Realty, Inc. Real Estate Investment director and licensed by the California Department of Real Estate. 

Mr. Cohen has experience with commercial, residential, and retail real estate, and construction lending.

Litigation Support: Mr. Cohen has been retained as an expert witness in Real Estate related cases over 50 times since 1990. He represents both Plaintiff and Defense and is experienced with complex cases. His services include thorough reporting, depositions, and trial testimony as needed.

Areas of Expertise:

Christopher Hanson, JD, CCIM, has over 44 years of experience in the Real Estate Industry. A retired trial lawyer of over 25 years who's dealt exclusively with real estate cases, Mr. Hanson currently provides subject matter expertise in all areas of real estate litigation.

Background Experience - As a California real estate trial attorney, Mr. Hanson has participated in over 880 Trials, Arbitrations, and Mediations (only 3 UDs). Cases have included negligence, fraud, non-disclosure, breaches of fiduciary duty, and contract. He's defended and sued brokers and their insurance companies. He has represented bidders, borrowers, and banks in regard to foreclosures; and both sides in loan workouts, and worked with national chains doing state-wide store rollouts, and lease renegotiations.  

Prior to his time as an attorney, Mr. Hanson worked for 12+/- years as a Real Estate Broker, actively selling and leasing property (commercial and residential). He holds a CCIM designation, earned by doing deals.  Before his role as a broker, he spent 7+/- years as a title insurance company Advisory Title Officer, where he researched and wrote Preliminary Reports.

Litigation Support - Mr. Hanson offers a balanced and unbiased opinion. His services are available to attorneys representing plaintiff and defendant and include document review, depositions, and discovery, along with arbitration and mediation. His opinion takes into account all the technicalities and nuances of real estate along with his 4 decades of experience, and is delivered in a way a jury can easily understand. 

Areas of Expertise:

Real Estate Brokerage Expert, Manager, Educator

Jane Trust Ryan has over 29 years of experience as a licensed Real Estate professional. She has served as a Real Estate Brokerage Leader, Compliance Officer, and Transaction Manager. She has over 20 years of experience training 1,000+ agents in agency, law, contracts, negotiation, disclosure, compliance, and other real estate-related topics across various brokerage models.   I have provided court room and deposition testimony.

Ms. Trust Ryan is currently licensed as a Broker in NY, NJ, and PA, with past licenses in MD, DC, and VA. She has managed offices with 100+ agents and currently serves as Broker of Record within a network of over 400 agents.

Litigation Support - As an expert witness, Ms. Trust Ryan helps clients navigate the complexities of real estate lawsuits. She specializes in providing clear, actionable insights through thorough research and expert analysis. Her goal is to equip clients with the knowledge and information they need to make informed decisions and achieve the best possible outcomes in their legal matters.

Areas of Expertise