Underwriting Counsel

Position Summary:Provides underwriting support, counsel, and authorization to company personnel, and agents related to the issuance of real estate title insurance commitments and policies. Utilizes underwriting standards and guidelines within delegated authority limits, to underwrite the issuance of title insurance Guides company personnel in the performance of real estate settlement services Issues underwriting standards and guidelines in accordance with established company processes,Essential Duties and Responsibilities:Determine the conditions of the title and insurability by considering the effect of documents such as deeds, mechanics liens, tax liens, judgments, assessments, probates and other matters of record.Protect the company from risk by analyzing recorded documents for ownership accuracy, legal description precision, and potential impact on title. Explain chain of title, exceptions, and requirements to customers and managers.Recognize title defects and formulate curative solution. Assess risks and liabilities that may jeopardize the company, and bring these matters to the attention of the local title manager, state title manager or senior underwriting counsel, or chief underwriting counsel, as appropriate.Review surveys prepared on properties and other proposed documents to be insured such as mortgages, mortgage modifications, etc.Work closely with the title agent and escrow staff to meet deadlines for closings and assist with answering questions related to issuance of the title commitment and policiesPerform other duties assigned by management.Required:Juris Doctor (JD) required; licensed attorney in good standing in the state of employment with t5+ years title underwriting or related real estate law experience preferred.Must be familiar with real estate law.Strong understanding of fundamental concepts, practices and procedures of real estate title and settlement process.General knowledge of Federal and State regulations related to real estate title insurance and settlement services.General understanding of underwriting real estate transactions for the issuance of title insurance policies.Ability to collaborate and act decisively.Detail oriented.Excellent listening, verbal and written communication skills.Good organizational skills with the ability to multi-task, prioritize and timely follow up.Strong negotiation skills.Collaborative team player with the ability to act decisively and meet deadlines.Creative problem-solver with the ability to apply abstract thinking to complex title issues.Reasoning Ability:Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Physical Demands:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Work Environment:The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Westcor offers some great perks:Health, dental, and vision benefits.Employer-paid disability and life insurance.Flexible spending accounts.401K with company match.Paid time off and company-paid holidays.Wellness resources.NOTE:  This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with About Ardán, Inc., A Community of Companies: Ardán is a family of companies that make real estate closings faster, simpler, and safer through technology-driven, innovative solutions, sound underwriting, and exceptional customer service. At Ardán, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of Insur-Tech. Our brands—Westcor, Grid151®, GridBase®, and X1 Analytics®—are dedicated to using technology to streamline and improve every step of the closing process. Westcor - Founded by title agents, Westcor is the number one independent title insurance underwriter in the nation. Westcor’s technology-driven products and services and sound underwriting help agents and their customers close real estate transactions faster and with peace of mind. Website: wltic.com Grid151 - Powered by GridBase® technology, Grid151® delivers tech-enabled fulfillment services to the title insurance industry. Website: grid151.com X1 Analytics - Using its proprietary data analytics engine, X1 Analytics® equips the title insurance industry with decisions and data which enable faster real estate closings with reduced cost and operational friction. Website: x1analytics.com GridBase - sing their proprietary tech stack to create the universal API for lender and title collaboration, GridBase® delivers data middleware and tools that transform lender and title operations with highly optimized automations and integrations. Website: gridbase.io