WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF EXPERT WITNESSES
Expert Financial Witness Expertise
Grounded in Real-World Lending and Banking Experience
EWF Legal Consulting Group provides banking expert witness finance testimony and forensic financial analysis in complex litigation matters involving lending, real estate finance, and banking practices. Led by Sherwood D. Kelley, EWF brings four decades of domestic and international finance experience to support major law firms with clear, well-documented expert opinions that withstand scrutiny in court.
Why Choose EWF As Your Expert Witness
EWF Legal Consulting Group provides independent expert witness analysis in financial matters involving lending, banking, and real estate finance. Our opinions are based on decades of hands-on mortgage industry experience and a detailed understanding of credit customs, underwriting standards, and financial practices as they are applied in real-world transactions and litigation.
EWF’s work focuses on clear issue identification, fact-based analysis, valuations and expert opinions prepared to withstand deposition and trial scrutiny.
EWF is led by Sherwood D. Kelley, a seasoned finance professional with 40 years of experience in domestic and international lending, investment banking, and real estate finance. Mr. Kelley has participated in 76 completed transactions totaling more than $950 million, bringing practical industry insight to every expert engagement.
Our expert witness work is grounded in real transactional experience, not academic theory.
Key Qualifications
- Extensive experience in banking, lending, acquisition and real estate finance litigation matters
- Qualified and testified as an expert witness in California Superior Courts, including Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties
- Experienced in trials, depositions, motions for summary judgment, and arbitrations
- Trusted by law firms across California, Washington, Arizona, Texas, and Nevada
EWF provides objective financial opinions prepared in accordance with applicable litigation standards and court requirements, including expert reports compliant with FRCP 26 and California Code of Civil Procedure 2034 where applicable.
- Our Services
Expert Witness and Financial Consulting Services
Expert Witness Engagements
Independent expert witness services in complex financial and lending disputes. EWF provides objective analysis and testimony based on established industry customs, standards of care, and real-world financial practice.
Financial Litigation Support
Support for counsel in matters involving disputed financial transactions, lending practices, and credit decisions. Services include issue analysis, document review, and expert consultation throughout the litigation process.
Banking and Lending Analysis
Expert review of banking procedures, lending policies, underwriting standards, and credit customs and practices. Experience includes commercial, construction, single-family residential, hard money, and private investor lending.
Expert Reports and Testimony
SELECTED LITIGATION CONSULTING / EXPERT WITNESS ENGAGEMENTS
EWF Legal Consulting Group has served as a litigation consultant and expert witness in financial matters since 1996. Engagements span disputes involving lending practices, real estate finance, construction financing, fiduciary duties, and financial damages.
Representative Areas of Engagement
01 / Lending and Credit Practices
Matters involving hard money lending, private investor loans, commercial and residential underwriting standards, capital adequacy, collateral evaluation, and lender standard of care.
02 / Real Estate and Construction Finance
03 / Standard of Care, Fiduciary Duty, Fraud
Cases alleging breach of fiduciary duty, misrepresentation, constructive fraud, elder financial abuse, and unfair business practices.
04 / Calculation of Damages, Use of NPV
Damage calculations must support a well-reasoned claim. Net present value calculations must be applicable to the court and specific to the case at hand.
Request an Initial Consultation
EWF Legal Consulting Group works with counsel on expert witness and litigation consulting matters involving finance, lending, and real estate. Initial inquiries are reviewed to determine scope, relevance, and availability.
Written communications are not privileged unless and until a formal engagement is established.