Facts: Our client, AM, who is a certified real estate appraiser, hired us to defend him against a complaint filed with the Board by a government-sponsored entity asserting he violated the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (“USPAP”). AM was facing damage to his professional reputation, harm to his ability to obtain work from clients, the prospect of discipline from the Board and harm to his livelihood because of the complaint submitted to the Board.
Outcome: Bertolino LLP collected and assessed AM’s extensive work file material, market data, his appraisal report and his own written rebuttal to combat the false allegations levied against our client. Bertolino LLP advocated fiercely for AM to demonstrate why the complaint had to be dismissed because of legal shortcomings and because it had no merit, including conversations with Bord staff to help push the matter forward to resolution. We articulated why AM had not violated USPAP and state law and why the complaint had to be dismissed without any disciplinary action. After the investigation was completed, the staff agreed the complaint did not warrant disciplinary action. The Board dismissed AM’s complaint with a non-disciplinary warning letter and took no action against his license. AM’s professional reputation and livelihood were saved from damage and the complaint was closed.