Stephen B McWilliam, ABR,CRB,CRS,GRI
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Office: 954-449-1767
Stephen B. McWilliam is a Florida-licensed real estate broker, mortgage loan originator, and real estate instructor with more than 42 years of real estate experience. He has served as a real estate expert witness for more than 15 years, providing independent analysis and expert opinions in state and federal litigation, arbitration, and other dispute resolution proceedings throughout Florida.
His primary areas of expertise include real estate broker and REALTOR® standard of care, professional negligence, brokerage supervision, fiduciary duties, residential and commercial real estate transactions, MLS listing and marketing practices, contractual obligations, commission disputes, and compliance with established real estate industry standards.
Mr. McWilliam evaluates the conduct of real estate brokers and sales associates against applicable professional standards, customary brokerage practices, contractual obligations, Florida real estate statutes and regulations, and the National Association of REALTORS® Code of Ethics, where relevant.
His expert witness assignments include allegations of broker negligence, inadequate property marketing and MLS exposure, failure to supervise sales associates, representation and disclosure disputes, procuring cause, commission disputes, and other issues involving the conduct of real estate professionals.
Professional Leadership and Qualifications
Mr. McWilliam has held significant leadership positions within the real estate profession, including:
President, Greater Fort Lauderdale REALTORS® (2012)
District Vice President, Florida Realtors®
Director, Florida Realtors® (10 years)
Director, National Association of REALTORS® (7 years)
Chairman and member of professional standards, ethics, and arbitration hearing panels
REALTOR® Association Ombudsman
He holds four nationally recognized real estate designations: Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR), Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), and Graduate, REALTOR® Institute (GRI).
Mr. McWilliam is President and Broker of Florida State Realty Group, Inc., and President of Florida State Mortgage Group, Inc.
His experience in brokerage management, professional standards administration, real estate education, and mortgage lending provides a practical foundation for evaluating real estate industry conduct.
- Commercial Real Estate
- Real Estate Agent
- Real Estate Broker
- Real Estate Damages
- Real Estate Leasing
- Real Estate Malpractice
- Residential Real Estate
- Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:
- A: Florida licensed Real Estate Broker
Florida licensed Real Estate Instructor
Florida licensed Mortgage Loan Originator
ABR (Accredited Buyer's Representative)
CRB (Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager)
CRS (Certified Residential Specialist)
GRI (Graduate of the REALTOR® Institute). - Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
- A: Member, National Association of REALTORS®
Member, Florida REALTORS®
Member, Broward, Palm Beaches & St. Lucie Realtors REALTORS® - Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
- A: Classroom instructor at various locations and events.
Presenter and moderator while serving as president of the REALTOR® association.
Media training from Florida REALTORS® - Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
- A: No
- Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
- A: I've been engaged dozens of times over 10 years to differing degrees.
- Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
- A: Residential and commercial real estate transactions. National Association of REALTORS® Code of Ethics complaints/compliance, procuring cause claims, contractual and specific non-contractual disputes.
- Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
- A: Less than 10% plaintiff representation.
- Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
- A: More than 90% defendant representation.
- Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
- A: More than a dozen times.
- Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
- A: Within the past 2 years.
- Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
- A: I've never been specifically qualified as an expert witness as I've never been disqualified as an expert. My qualifications, testimony in court and/or in depositions and/or declarations/affidavits have always been admitted and never subject to a challenge.
- Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
- A: Specifically, in court and/or before an arbitrator approximately six times as most cases have settled prior to trial but post-depositions.
- Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
- A: Over 12 years as an expert in the real estate profession.
- Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
- A: Consulting, mediation, arbitration, federal declarations and/or affidavits, expert witness evaluation and testimony both via deposition and courtroom testimony anywhere throughout Florida in both state and federal courts.
- Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
- A: No charge for the initial consultation. Minimum $2000 non-refundable retainer; flat rate $295 per hour plus expenses thereafter.
- Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
- A: Flat rate $295 per hour.
- Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
- A: Flat rate $295 per hour/4 hour minimum.
- Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
- A: Flat rate $295 per hour/4 hour minimum.
- Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
- A: Portal charges from Fort Lauderdale and travel expenses.
Robert T. Slatoff, Esq.
Frank Weinberg Black, P.L.
1875 NW Corporate Blvd., Suite 100
Boca Raton, FL 33431
(561) 989-0700
(954) 474-9850 Fax
rslatoff@fwblaw.net
www.fwblaw.net
Blake S. Sando, Esq.
Cole, Scott & Kissane
9150 South Dadeland Boulevard, Suite 1400
Miami, Florida 33156
Blake.Sando@csklegal.com
Tel: 305-350-5365 | Fax: 305-373-2294