- 17 - “‘the overall cogency of each expert's analysis.’” Sammons v. Commissioner, 838 F.2d 330, 334 (9th Cir. 1988) (quoting Ebben v. Commissioner, 783 F.2d 906, 909 (9th Cir. 1986), affg. in part and revg. in part T.C. Memo. 1983-200), affg. in part and revg. in part on another ground T.C. Memo. 1986-318. Expert testimony sometimes aids the Court in determining value; sometimes it does not, particularly when the expert is merely an advocate for the position argued by one of the parties. See, e.g., Estate of Halas v. Commissioner, 94 T.C. 570, 577 (1990); Laureys v. Commissioner, 92 T.C. 101, 129 (1989). We are not bound by the formulas and opinions proffered by an expert witness and will accept or reject expert testimony in the exercise of sound judgment. See Anderson v. Commissioner, supra at 249; Estate of Newhouse v. Commissioner, supra at 217; Estate of Hall v. Commissioner, 92 T.C. 312, 338 (1989). Where necessary, we may reach a determination of value based on our own examination of the evidence in the record. See Lukens v. Commissioner, 945 F.2d 92, 96 (5th Cir. 1991) (citing Silverman v. Commissioner, 538 F.2d 927, 933 (2d Cir. 1976), affg. T.C. Memo. 1974-285)). Moreover, while we may accept the opinion of an expert in its entirety, see Buffalo Tool & Die Manufacturing Co. v. Commissioner, 74 T.C. at 452, we may be selective in the use of any part of such opinion or reject the opinion in its entirety, see Seagate Tech., Inc. v. Commissioner, 102 T.C. 149,Page: Previous 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Next
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