[Hiring] Commercial Underwriting Counsel / Commercial Underwriter @First American

Role Description

Bring your expertise in underwriting and real estate law to complex transactions that demand both precision and creativity. If you’re energized by evaluating risk, collaborating across teams, and delivering thoughtful solutions, this is an opportunity to make an impact with a trusted leader in the industry.

First American is seeking a Commercial Underwriter / Underwriting Counsel to join our team. In this role, you’ll provide critical guidance and decision-making support across commercial real estate transactions, helping drive confident outcomes for our customers, agents, and internal partners.

What You’ll Do:

• Provide underwriting support, counsel, and authorization to company personnel, agents, and customers related to the issuance of title insurance commitments and policies.
• Apply underwriting standards and guidelines within delegated authority to evaluate and approve title insurance transactions.
• Offer guidance to internal teams in the execution of real estate settlement services.
• Develop and communicate underwriting standards and guidelines in alignment with established company processes.
• Serve as a key resource for sharing insights and information related to underwriting and settlement services across the team.
• Support additional responsibilities as needed.

Qualifications

• Law Degree required (for Underwriting Counsel).
• Admitted to practice in state of employment (for Underwriting Counsel).
• Licensed to practice in state of employment (for Underwriting Counsel).
• High school diploma required; bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 5–7 years of title underwriting experience.
• Strong knowledge of real estate law, including federal and state regulations.
• Deep understanding of title insurance and settlement processes, including core concepts and industry practices.
• Proven ability to underwrite real estate transactions for title insurance issuance.
• Strong analytical thinking paired with sound decision-making skills.
• Excellent negotiation skills and the ability to navigate complex situations with professionalism.
• A collaborative mindset with the ability to act decisively and build strong relationships.
• Detail-oriented approach with strong organizational and prioritization skills.
• Excellent communication skills—written, verbal, and listening.
• Ability to think creatively, apply abstract reasoning, and develop innovative solutions to complex challenges.

Requirements

Pay Range: $97,700.00 - $130,300.00 Annually. This hiring range is a reasonable estimate of the base pay range for this position at the time of posting. Pay is based on a number of factors which may include job-related knowledge, skills, experience, business requirements and geographic location.

** Note that the following statements only apply to candidates who will be working from an unincorporated area within Los Angeles County. **

• First American will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws (e.g., the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act).
• First American intends to conduct a review of an applicant’s criminal history in connection with a conditional offer. First American reasonably believes that a criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship with the following material job duties for this position potentially resulting in the withdrawal of the conditional offer of employment: handling of confidential, proprietary or trade secret information belonging to First American or its customers, administrating or facilitating financial transactions, and the ability to meet customer-imposed criminal history requirements.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401k, PTO/paid sick leave.
• Employee stock purchase plan.