First American Names Chief Title Counsel

November 26, 2024

First American Title Insurance Co. promoted Dan Buchanan to chief title counsel. In his new role, he will provide transactional underwriting leadership within First American and serve as a champion for sound underwriting for the title industry.

“Dan’s influence within First American and across the industry cannot be overstated,” said Phil Sholar, executive director of corporate underwriting at First American Title. “Through his customer-focused approach to underwriting challenges and his passion for mentoring the next generation, he continues to elevate the industry’s standards and help First American provide the certainty and trust needed to power seamless real estate transactions.”

Buchanan’s background includes diverse roles in underwriting, escrow and claims, providing him with unique and valuable perspectives that help him craft creative underwriting solutions on behalf of First American Title’s customers. As a former city mayor, Buchanan possesses a keen eye for policy and has helped shape public policy on real estate transactions from Sacramento to Washington, D.C.

Buchanan is chair of the ALTA’s Forms Committee and is also a long-standing leader within the California Land Title Association (CLTA). In 2022, he was honored with ALTA’s “Our Values” award and he has twice earned the CLTA Presidential Award.


Contact ALTA at 202-296-3671 or [email protected].