FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Jury Cuts $18.8M from Collin County Appraisal in Key 2025 Verdict

Part of a growing string of jury trial wins for PPG Tax and McDonald Law Firm, reinforcing our litigation-driven approach to property tax appeals.

FORT WORTH, TEXAS – July 8, 2025 – PPG Tax, in partnership with McDonald Law Firm, secured a major jury trial victory in Collin County on behalf of our client, following a closely coordinated litigation effort. The case challenged the Collin Central Appraisal District’s (CCAD) valuation of our client’s Class A+ multifamily property in Plano, TX, and resulted in a final property value of $83,844,989—far below the ARB value defended by CCAD.

Tried in Collin County’s 471st District Court (Cause No. 471-04612-2023) on April 30, 2025, the case originated after the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) certified the property at $101,508,000—a value CCAD later abandoned in litigation, opting instead to try and defend a lower valuation at trial. Despite concessions from its position, CCAD declined to offer a settlement that reflected an accurate equal and uniform valuation or accounted for statutory interest. Given that posture, PPG Tax and McDonald Law Firm advised our client to proceed to court—and they did.

Expert Testimony and Litigation Strategy Prove Decisive in Courtroom

The jury’s verdict aligned closely with the $79,610,000 valuation presented by Cindy Williford of JLL Houston, plaintiff’s expert appraiser, landing within 5% of her opinion. The verdict secured a $295,961 refund plus approximately $35,000 in statutory interest—which would have been waived under a settlement. With interest included, the effective financial outcome equates to a settlement at approximately $81.7 million — underscoring the value of a jury trial when appraisal districts rely on arbitrary valuations.

A critical factor in this victory was the testimony of Brian Swanson, CCAD’s Deputy Chief Appraiser, who was called as an adverse witness by lead plaintiff’s attorney, Dan McDonald. Under oath, Swanson admitted that the Texas Constitution mandates all appraisals be equal and uniform, and that the Texas Property Tax Code outlines the required analysis to ensure that standard is met. He further acknowledged that CCAD failed to conduct this analysis until after our client initiated a protest — a clear failure to perform the duties required under the Texas Constitution.

Dan McDonald and Haillie Bowles of McDonald Law Firm represented the plaintiff, executing a highly focused courtroom strategy reinforced by PPG Tax’s expert valuation modeling and targeted rebuttal preparation for CCAD’s appraisal testimony, culminating in a sharp cross-examination of CCAD’s expert, Josh Wood of Valbridge Property Advisors Inc.

“This case is a textbook example of why we litigate when the numbers—and the strategy—justify it. The interest alone shifted the economics in our client’s favor, but the real win is the leverage this gives us in every future negotiation. Appraisal districts need to understand that ignoring risk comes at a price.”

—Jonathan Gilstrap, Principal, PPG Tax

“Our cross-examination made it clear that CCAD’s valuation didn’t hold up. This verdict sends a message: if appraisal districts bring flawed valuations into the courtroom, we’re ready to dismantle them.”

—Dan McDonald, Founder, McDonald Law Firm.

The win affirms PPG Tax and McDonald Law Firm’s commitment to aggressive, data-driven appeals and litigation-ready representation—an approach that holds appraisal districts accountable, leverages deep valuation expertise, and consistently delivers stronger outcomes for clients across Texas.