WFG National Title Appoints Michael Kelly as New York State Counsel

WFG National Title Insurance Company has named Michael Kelly Esq. as its new vice president, state counsel for its New York agency office. The company is a full service provider of title insurance and real estate settlement services for lender, commercial and residential transactions nationwide. Kelly will help grow the insurer’s New York agent base, as well as providing underwriting support for the agency operation in that state. Kelly comes to WFG National Title with more than 35 years of industry experience, most recently serving as Senior Agency Counsel, New York for one of the nation’s largest underwriters. Before that, he held similar positions with two more of the industry’s largest title insurers. He began his career in 1972 as a continuation clerk, attending law school during the evening at St. John’s University, while searching titles during the day. Kelly was admitted to the Bar in the State of New York in 1978. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association Real Property Law Committee and also serves on the Select Committee for the Unauthorized Practice of Law He received his bachelor’s degree from St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y. He was also a member of the U.S. Army Military Police during the Vietnam War (1969–1970). “Mike understands the nuances of good, compliant title work in New York,” said Joseph Drum Esq., EVP of WFG National Title. “More important, he knows what our New York agencies will need from their underwriter to succeed. Mike will be yet another solid resource for our New York agents as they work to differentiate themselves in that market.”