Description:
Overview:Fidelity National Financial – Florida Agency's Underwriting Department is seeking a customer-service-focused Senior Commercial Underwriting Counsel for our Maitland, FL office. As a Senior Commercial Counsel, you will serve as a strategic legal and risk management partner on complex commercial real estate transactions, providing prompt, well-reasoned guidance across a high volume of underwriting matters. In this role, you will deliver high-level underwriting support to agents, examiners, and internal teams, helping to structure and insure transactions in alignment with company guidelines, applicable law, and sound underwriting principles. This position combines both advisory and decision-making responsibilities and requires deep expertise in commercial real estate, title insurance, and risk evaluation.
Duties:
- Analyze and underwrite complex commercial transactions, including multi-site and multi-state matters
- Evaluate risk and determine insurability, including appropriate requirements, exceptions, and endorsements
- Identify legal and title risks and develop practical, insurable solutions
- Serve as a primary point of contact for agents, examiners, and escrow teams on commercial files
- Respond to a high volume of underwriting inquiries via phone and email, often under tight deadlines
- Provide clear, practical guidance on title and closing issues
- Support resolution of underwriting issues impacting closings
- Mentor junior underwriters, examiners, and agents
- Develop and deliver training on underwriting topics, best practices, and emerging risks
- Contribute to underwriting manuals, bulletins, and internal guidance materials
- Build strong relationships with agents, attorneys, and internal stakeholders
- Support business development by delivering underwriting solutions that facilitate transactions while protecting the company
- Participate in client-facing discussions on complex deals when needed
Education:
Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
Experience:
- Prior experience with high-liability or national commercial transactions
- Experience working with title agents, national accounts, or multi-state transactions
- Demonstrated ability to present to groups and deliver clear, engaging webinars on complex topics
- Proven ability to read, interpret, and analyze boundary, ALTA/NSPS, and construction surveys
Additional Information:
Minimum Requirements:
- Decisive and self-driven, with a strong focus on responsiveness and delivering practical, high-quality service to agents and internal partners
- Active Florida Bar membership preferred; otherwise, must qualify for and obtain Authorized House Counsel status with the Florida Bar within 90 days of employment
- At least 15 years' experience in commercial title insurance underwriting or commercial real estate law
- Deep understanding of title insurance policies, endorsements, and underwriting practices, preferably in Florida
- Strong analytical and risk assessment skills with demonstrated ability to synthesize the full transactional picture and deliver solution-oriented guidance that facilitates successful closings while appropriately managing risk
- Demonstrated commitment to the role, including reliable availability during standard business hours
- Collaborative and team-focused professional who fosters a positive, constructive work environment
Key Competencies:
- Risk judgment: Ability to balance business objectives with sound underwriting discipline
- Communication: Clear, confident, and practical guidance to agents and stakeholders
- Problem-solving: Creative, solution-oriented approach to complex title issues
- Leadership: Ability to mentor and influence others without direct authority
- Responsiveness: Ability to manage high-volume inquiries with competing priorities promptly.
