Title Law in Virginia

Agenda / Content Covered

1. The Law of Real Estate Titles
   9:00 - 10:15, Jennifer O. Schiffer
   1. The Background of Real Estate Titles
   2. Current Issues in Conveyancing Practice
   3. Typical and Atypical Liens and Encumbrances
   4. Q&A
2. The Process of Title Examination
   10:15 - 11:30, Robin G. Mathis
   1. Forms, Practice Pointers, and Procedures
   2. Finding and Resolving Issues Through Examination of the Records
      1. Defects in Execution
      2. Homestead and Statutory Rights
      3. Heir's Deeds
      4. Missing or Incorrect Elements in Documents
      5. Old Roads and Old Subdivisions
   3. Examination of the Abstract of Title
   4. Q&A
3. Ethical Considerations
   11:45 - 12:45, Samuel J. Kaufman
   1. Attorneys' Fees
   2. Conflicts of Interest
   3. Multiple Representation
   4. Disclosure of Defects in Property
   5. Q&A
4. Preparing the Title Opinion and Issues in Title Insurance
   1:45 - 3:00, Blake W. Frieman
   1. Organizing and Analyzing Information
   2. What is Marketable Title?
   3. Introduction to Title Insurance
   4. Drafting and Negotiating Title Insurance Policies
   5. ALTA Owner's and Lender's Title Insurance Policies
   6. Availability of Expanded Coverage Policies Provided by ALTA
   7. The Role of the State
   8. Governmental Control
   9. Q&A
5. Transfer of Title
   3:15 - 4:30, Jennifer O. Schiffer, Blake W. Frieman
   1. Voluntary Transfers
      1. Legal Requirements for an Effective Conveyance
      2. Types of Deeds
   2. Involuntary Transfers
      1. Foreclosures of Mortgages or Deeds of Trusts
      2. Mechanics' Lien Foreclosures
      3. Foreclosures of Tax and Other Liens
      4. Adverse Possession
      5. Condemnation
      6. Reversion of Title
      7. Forfeitures of Title
   3. Private Covenants and Restrictions
   4. Q&A

Accreditation Details:

Blake W. Frieman is a shareholder at Bean, Kinney & Korman, P.C., who represents financial institutions and other businesses in commercial financing and real estate matters. He routinely handles the documentation and negotiation of complex credit and security agreements for commercial loans, as well as matters related to the acquisition, financing, and leasing of real estate. Mr. Frieman represents and advises businesses and individuals with respect to M&A transactions, taxation, and trusts and estates. He also has experience with handling commercial loan workouts and foreclosures, as well as collections, business disputes, and other commercial litigation matters. Prior to joining Bean, Kinney & Korman, P.C., Mr. Frieman served as a legal intern for Commissioner Maureen K. Ohlhausen of the Federal Trade Commission. He also served as a legal intern for the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. Mr. Frieman earned his J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from George Mason University School of Law; and his B.S. degree, with distinction, from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a board member of the Risk Management Association, Potomac Chapter and an advisor at Fairfax County Business Emergency Operations Council. Mr. Frieman is licensed to practice law in Virginia, Maryland, Florida, District of Columbia, U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, and U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Samuel J. Kaufman is a partner with Owen & Owens PLC. He represents businesses and individuals in commercial litigation and real estate matters. Mr. Kaufman's commercial clients are in diverse industries, such as construction, transportation, automotive, title insurance, and banking. His personal representations include contract and business disputes, as well as transactional business matters. Mr. Kaufman assists individuals and businesses with the sale or purchase of commercial and residential real estate; contract and business disputes; transactional business matters such as mergers/acquisitions and private equity transactions; commercial and residential real estate matters; and leasing. He earned his B.A. degree from the University of Richmond, Jepson School and his J.D. degree from Albany Law School of Union University. Mr. Kaufman is a fellow in the Litigation Counsel of America, an honorary society composed of less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers.

Robin G. Mathis is an attorney and owner of Robin G. Mathis, PLLC and the title company, Esquire Title Group, LLC, she has also recently merged with Community Title Network. She is a Virginia native who earned her B.A. degree from Virginia Tech and her J.D. degree from Mercer University. Ms. Mathis has prepared and presented many continuing education classes for attorneys, as well as classes for real estate agents. She was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia in 1985, and the Virginia State Bar in 1993. In 2017, Ms. Mathis had the honor of being admitted the Supreme Court of the United States of America.

Jennifer O. Schiffer is a shareholder of Bean, Kinney & Korman P.C., where she represents various businesses and their owners in matters relating to business counseling and entity formation, purchase and sale of company stock or assets, business contracts, shareholder or membership agreements, disclosure agreements, commercial real estate, commercial property, and leasing transactions. Ms. Schiffer is also well-versed in business succession planning, estate planning, and estate administration. Her clients range from individuals to a wide array of business entities, including restaurants, medical practices, retailers, builders, limited liability companies, and professional service providers, such as accountants and financial planners. Ms. Schiffer earned her bachelor's degree in economics, as well as her J.D. degree from Vanderbilt University. She is licensed to practice law in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.