The complexity and size of today's real estate markets for investment, finance, development and operation means that disputes will inevitably arise. The Real Estate Solutions team within FTI Consulting provides clients with valuable insight and clarity, assisting with every phase of the dispute resolution process – starting from early case assessment, pre-litigation strategy and discovery to litigation/mediation consulting, expert testimony and trial. With proven financial, economic and industry expertise, FTI Consulting helps clients unravel challenging business issues and resolve disputes in a cost-effective and expedient manner.
Why FTI Consulting
Experienced Professional
With deep and wide-ranging knowledge of real estate and real estate finance, our team is comprised of highly credentialed and experienced professionals. Our expertise includes real estate operations, valuation, real estate lending and investing, economics, accounting, structured finance, tax, construction and engineering and project management.
Our Dispute and Litigation Advisory team has a successful track record of assisting clients in every phase of the dispute resolution process. Our clients benefit from the value we bring through:
Top-Notch Expertise
- Early case assessment, risk analysis and pre-litigation strategy
- Expert testimony in federal and state courts and domestic and international arbitration
- Persuasive, seasoned and credible expert witnesses
- Litigation consulting expertise and support, including evaluating the client's experts and opposing experts
- Sophisticated technology to aid investigations and e-discovery
- Comprehensive trial services, graphics and courtroom technology support
Clients Often Seek Our Dispute and Litigation Advisory Team For Disputes Involving:
- Commercial Real Estate
- Hotels, Resorts and Casinos
- Single-Family Rental
- Senior, Student and Military Housing
- Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities
- Homebuilding
- Land Development
- Timeshare and Other Fractional Ownership
- Real Estate Lending and Servicing
- Real Estate Operating Companies
- Whole Loans, CMBS, RMBS, CDOs and CLOs
Representative Engagements
Solvency Analysis and Fraudulent Transfer
In multiple cases, provided expert witness reports in connection
with avoidance actions, including for a celebrity chef-branded
restaurant chain and a 3,592-acre master-planned residential and
resort community near Las Vegas. Opined on solvency as of the
transaction date, reasonableness of the contemporaneous cash flow
projections, the equivalent value and the causes of subsequent
insolvency.
Hotel Management and License Agreement
Termination/Operational Issues
Represented defendant developer of a portfolio of hotels in China
in connection with the early termination of multiple management and
license agreements; Provided testimony in numerous disputes
concerning operational issues in lodging, gaming and fractional
ownership.
Reorganization Plan Feasibility
In numerous cases involving different asset classes and on behalf
of borrowers, senior lenders and unsecured creditors, provided
expert witness testimony in connection with Chapter 11 plan
confirmation hearings regarding feasibility of the proposed
reorganization plans and the appropriate post-confirmation interest
rate.
Loan Underwriting and Origination
In several cases, provided expert witness testimony for plaintiffs
and defendants on matters related to CMBS and RMBS loan
underwriting and origination practices, as well as potential
breaches of issuers' representations and warranties. For RMBS
"put-back" litigation involving over 2,240 loans,
estimated potential damages on behalf of the defendant.
Damages Expert/Partnership Dispute
Provided expert witness testimony related to damages and missed
development opportunity in international arbitration proceedings
involving a partnership dispute regarding capital contribution in
connection with a major luxury fractional ownership/hotel resort
development in Mexico.
Valuation and Tax Consulting
In an attempt to avoid litigation between business partners,
provided valuation and tax consulting services to facilitate a fair
separation of a portfolio of 45 real estate assets in multiple
asset classes.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.