Jefferson (Jeff) E. Howeth

Responsible for all legal and regulatory compliance functions of a multistate title agency that provides title insurance and escrow and settlement services for its mortgage servicer and investor affiliates and members of the general public. Practice includes general corporate matters, regulatory compliance and licensing support for 26 states in which the company is authorized to do business.

Performed legal consulting services for various clients while seeking next permanent in-house counsel role. ◆ Performed contract and lease reviews, legal and regulatory research, and general corporate support services on an excess capacity basis for States Title Holding, Inc. pending hire of its next General Counsel. ◆ Advised multi-state commercial title agency regarding licensing, joint venture formation, claims administration, and general corporate support processes. ◆ Provided expert title analysis and recommendations regarding limited access commercial tract for solo real estate practitioner.

Post-acquisition Interim General Counsel responsible for management of legal and compliance functions at States Title Holding, Inc. and its operating subsidiaries following acquisition of North American Title Group, LLC’s title insurance underwriter and retail title agency business from Lennar Corporation. ◆ Partnered with executive management team to identify available internal and external legal and compliance resources and develop and implement the legal and regulatory support services framework for company's title insurance underwriting and retail agency businesses in six-week period following closing of acquisition.

Oversaw all legal and compliance functions of North American Title Group's title insurance underwriter and agency subsidiaries and property and casualty insurance agency, which provide title insurance, escrow and settlement services, and property and casualty insurance to customers of its homebuilder affiliate, Lennar Homes, and members of the general public. Practice included regulatory compliance matters, general corporate matters, human resources matters, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, sales and marketing support, and litigation management. ◆ Finalized the sale of title insurance underwriter (licensed in 40 states) and retail agency business (licensed in 19 states) in approximately 6 months. ◆ Drove the acquisitions of two title agencies in 18 months, managing all negotiations, documentation, closings and subsequent integration of operations. ◆ Established compliance with ALTA Best Practices Framework by designing and implementing effective policies and procedures that culminated in an independent, third-party audit and certification of compliance.

Managed all legal and compliance functions of title insurance underwriter and agency subsidiaries, which provide title insurance and escrow and settlement services to customers of company’s homebuilding subsidiaries, including the provision of underwriting and operational support for multi-state branch office network. ◆ Provided legal, regulatory and underwriting support for company's title insurance underwriter in 20+ states in which the company operated.

Established a new law firm with experienced litigation and employment attorney to assist in expanding his practice while investigating new in-house practice opportunities. Focused on areas of real estate and general corporate law, including document preparation services for licensed Texas title agents. ◆ Grew practice from no revenue to +50% net margin within one year before closing practice to return to permanent in-house counsel position.

Directed all legal, compliance and risk management functions of title agency subsidiary, which provided title, escrow and settlement services to customers of company’s real estate auction and default services subsidiaries as well as members of the general public. Also managed the legal, regulatory and licensing functions of company’s default services subsidiary. ◆ Formed a new affiliated title agency, successfully licensed the agency in 20+ states, and commenced operations in less than a year.

Centex Financial Services, LLC - Held legal and executive positions of increasing scope and responsibility, including final position as member of five-person executive management team with responsibility for legal, compliance and risk management functions of company’s financial services subsidiaries, which provided mortgages, property and casualty insurance, title insurance and escrow and settlement services to customers of company’s homebuilding subsidiaries. Centex Homes | Centex Corporation - Specialized in areas of general corporate law, including negotiation of various agreements related to company’s business, such as Internet and software/technology license and service agreements, national and regional vendor supply agreements and retail property leases. Focused on mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, corporate governance matters, administration and management of corporate compliance program and political action committee, and securities and finance, in addition to preparing informational reports under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.

Lead Articles Editor, Washington & Lee Law Review; Class of 1964 Reunion Fellowship; American Jurisprudence Awards in Contracts and in American Public Law Process

Cumulative 4.0 GPA; Member of President's Honor Roll; Recipient of Jones English Award and Jent Philosophy Award