Staying out of the Courtroom Unless You’re Being Paid to Be There

Peter Christensen’s New 2hr Live-Zoom CE Course

Wednesday, September 24th, 2025
12PM – 2PM Central Time

Register for Wednesday, September, 24th

2 HOURS

$59.95

COURSE APPROVAL INFORMATION

Education Provider: Appraiser eLearning LLC

Author/Instructor: Peter Christensen, Christensen Law Firm

Approved States: Approved for 2 hours of continuing education in:

AL – Course #C03093
AZ – Course #255
AR – Course #AE066
CA – BREA Course #2510501080
CO – Course #2854
CT – Course #AAL.001393
DE – Course #REA-AC-041525-111373
FL – Course #3957
HI – PENDING
ID – Course #1584918
IL – Course #575.010798
IN – Course #50
*IA—Accepts
KS – Course #639.C25.N
KY – APPROVED
LA – Course #A0066
MD – Approved
MA – Course #1360059
MI – Course #20-1289208
MN – Course #1038676
MS – Course #50663
MO – Course #38
*MT—Accepts
NE – Course #2253411.33
NV – Course #CE.0009907-A
NH – Pending Renewal
NJ – Course #2025-204
NM – PENDING
NY – Course #A5905-02
NC – Course #4730
*ND—Accepts
OH – Course #Q04502903A 25
OK – Course #748
OR – Course #APEL-C-0325-0095
PA – Course #AA0006220045
RI – Course #REA.0002345-CE
SC – Course #CE2285
TN – Course #2901
TX – Course #52126
UT – Course #AC250320
VA – APPROVED
WA – Course #A25008890
WI – Course #20-1289222

*States with an asterisk will accept CE which is approved in the state where it is being taught.

Course Description

Most discussion of appraiser liability focuses on lawsuits and claims relating to appraisals performed for mortgage lending. However, appraisal assignments for litigation and other non-lending purposes may actually present a greater liability risk to the appraiser on a per assignment basis. This seminar addresses some of the key risks and issues associated with appraisals for litigation, divorce, estate, tax, conservation easements and other non-lending purposes. It also addresses liability considerations for review appraisers. Actual lawsuits against appraisers form the foundation of the seminar.

These are the kinds of questions that appraisers get answered in this seminar: Who sues appraisers serving as expert witnesses? Who sues appraisers performing appraisals for tax purposes? What’s the surest way for an appraiser to be sued for non-lending work? Can an appraiser whose work has been wrongly criticized sue the review appraiser? What special provisions should I consider putting in an engagement letter for different types of non-lending assignments?

Learning Objectives

 The learning objectives of the seminar are to provide real estate appraisers with an understanding and ability to apply in their practices the following:

1.    The basic legal elements that must be proven to establish a claim for professional negligence against an appraiser performing litigation and non-lending appraisal work.

2.    The most common sources and causes of professional negligence lawsuits against appraisers in connection with non-lending appraisal assignments.

3.    The differing liability risks imposed by specific types of non-lending assignments: divorce, expert witness, tax and conservation easements.

4.    What is the litigation privilege and how does it apply to an appraiser’s litigation assignments?

5.    How to create a good engagement agreement for non-lending assignments (what are the key terms in engagement agreements)?

6.    How and why should an expert witness engagement agreement be different than a “regular” non-lending engagement agreement?

Class Reminders:

  • Class starts promptly at 12PM Central Time

  • Doors open at 11:00 AM CT for Early Check-in (recommended).

  • All students must join class no later than 11:30 AM CT so we can take attendance and verify your identity.

  • Please make time to join early if you need extra assistance.

*KNOW YOUR TIME ZONE: We’re on CENTRAL TIME, and class starts at 12PM CT sharp!

For Pacific Timers, Class is from 10:00 am – 12:00 am PT (doors open at 9:00 am).

For Mountain Timers, Class is from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm MT (doors open at 10:00 am).

For Central Timers, Class is from 12:00 am – 2:00 pm CT (doors open at 11:00 am).

For Eastern Timers, Class is from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm ET (doors open at 12:00 pm).

System Requirements:

  • This class is offered via Zoom meeting. Computer Audio, Video and a reliable internet connection are required.
  • If you’re new to zoom, we recommend testing your computer video and audio prior to class day by opening a practice meeting on https://zoom.us/test.

CE/Attendance Requirements:

  • The class is offered via Zoom Meetings. Computer audio/video, reliable internet connection, and 100% attendance are required for CE credit. We must be able to see and hear your camera, and you are not allowed to be driving or riding in a car during class. These are state requirements for CE.

Refund/Cancellation Policy:

  • Refund requests must be made at least 24 hours prior to the start of class. Cancellation must be in writing. No refunds will be given within 24 hours of class start.

    If you register within 24 hours of Class Start, you will only be eligible for a transfer. This transfer credit expires 30 days after the original class date. After this 30-day period, we are unable to issue a transfer, and you will forfeit the class cost.

Everything you need to know about our live virtual class offerings via Zoom

  • Add any live-zoom course(s) to your cart and proceed to checkout.
  • IMPORTANT: Be sure to provide the correct state and license number information during checkout, as this will be automatically pulled into our system for your completion certificate and reporting to your state.
  • Once purchased, you’ll be automatically registered for the Zoom class meeting and you will receive a receipt via email.
  • You will receive a confirmation email with your JOIN MEETING link (save this! This is the link you will click to join the zoom class meeting on Class Day.)
  • If this is your first purchase with us, you will also receive an email with your Student Login Credentials, which give you access to your Student Account; Your student account is where you will access any online courses or completion certificates. 
  • If your Zoom Class comes with Course materials, they will be made available in your student account and also emailed to you in reminder emails (see “What to expect on class day.” below)
  • If you don’t see your confirmation email (and you’ve checked your spam folder), just email us (we make typos too, and we’re happy to help).
  • We highly recommend you download zoom for an even better in-class experience.
  • You’ll receive reminder emails the day before and the morning of class. (NOTE: If you register within 24 hours of class start time, you might not receive reminder emails.)
  • Be sure to click the Zoom meeting link and join the meeting 30 minutes before class start time, so we can get you checked in.
  • Check your time zone! All classes are listed in CENTRAL TIME, so adjust your calendar accordingly. Our reminder emails the day before and the morning of class will list the correct times for all time zones, for reference.
  • Download any course materials. You can find all appropriate documents for your course under “My Courses” in your student account.
  • If you are taking a USPAP update course, have the current USPAP publication on hand.
  • It is required that you keep your camera on for the duration of the class. Be sure to have a device with a working webcam, audio, and microphone, as well as good internet access.

Use the Zoom meeting link to join the class 30 minutes before class start time, so we can get you checked in.

  • You should have received a confirmation email immediately after purchase, as well as reminder emails the day before and the morning of class. Your Zoom link to join class can be found in any of those emails.
  • Be sure to check your spam folder if it is not in your inbox.
  • Remember to use the Zoom meeting link to join class at least 30 minutes before the official start time, so we can get you checked in.
  • Zoom Confirmation Emails (how you join the class): We will resend everyone’s Zoom confirmation emails 1 hour prior to class start
  •  Class Reminder emails with handouts (if any) and reminders: We send reminder emails on the day before and the day of class (unless class falls on a Monday or Friday; we don’t work weekends)
  • Reminder emails will include: Any class handouts (if applicable), important expectations and requirements; REMINDERS ABOUT KNOWING YOUR TIME ZONE (we’re on Central Time); and student support / instructor contact information.
  • Remember: you must be present with your camera on 100% of the class time. (This is a state requirement, not ours. We cannot make exceptions.)
  • Refunds require a 24-hour written notice.
  • BUT if you miss class and forget to notify us, no worries! Just reach out to our team, and we’re happy to transfer you to a later class.
  • We can only provide one transfer, so if you miss the second class, you will not have the option for a transfer and will forfeit the purchase cost. 
  • You must be present with your camera on for the duration of class. (This is a state requirement, not ours. We cannot make exceptions.)
  • You must be visible and prepared to answer instructor questions (please do not drive, work on other tasks, walk your dog, or anything else that might be distracting to the class).
  • If you have an emergency or are otherwise prevented from being present and visible on camera, please contact one of the class moderators. 
  • Chat Feature
  • Raise Hand Feature (alt + Y is the keyboard shortcut, or click the Reactions button)
  • Mute/Unmute & Stop Video (you should only turn cameras off when on breaks)
  • In addition to the live instructor, we’ll have a team member available to help everything run smoothly during class.
  • Ben Maxwell, our Education Director, will email a Course Evaluation link to all students immediately after class.
  • Once you complete the evaluation, you’ll receive an emailed certificate from our LMS. Please keep in mind that failure to complete this survey will delay your certificate (it is REQUIRED).
  • If you have any issues with the automated certificate, just reply to Ben’s Course Evaluation email and request a PDF copy.
  • If you’re in a state that requires the provider to report on your behalf, we will report your CE after class. Please give us 24 hours to do so. (States in which we report on your behalf include: FL, GA, IL, NC, NV, OH, SC, TX, and UT.)
  • If you have any questions, the instructor and class moderator will stick around for a few minutes after class ends.

Course Author

Peter Christensen

Peter is the principal attorney of the Christensen Law Firm (www.valuationlegal.com). His legal work is focused on matters concerning valuation (real property, personal property and business) and related services. The clients he serves are valuation firms and professionals; technology and appraisal management companies; and also individual and commercial parties who use or rely on valuation services.

Peter’s book, Risk Management for Real Estate Appraisers and Appraisal Firms, was published by the Appraisal Institute in August 2019. He has also published more than 50 articles relating to appraisal legal issues, many appearing in the Appraisal Institute’s Valuation magazine, and has presented hundreds of seminars to appraisers and appraisal/valuation firms.

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