Title agency hires chief legal officer

Lavinia Biasell Courtesy Transnation Title Agency

Transnation Title Agency announced the hiring of its first chief legal officer, Lavinia Biasell, an experienced real estate title attorney and title insurance underwriter.

Biasell will play a key role in the agency’s underwriting and claims efforts and serve as an adviser on legal issues, litigation, lease and contract review, among other responsibilities.

Biasell is based in the company’s Grand Rapids office and will work closely with all Transnation Title locations throughout Michigan and Indiana.

“Lavinia’s past experience makes her the ideal chief legal officer for our growing company,” said Thomas Olson, CEO of Transnation Title. “Her knowledge of real estate law and her training abilities make her a great addition for us. Being an employee-owned company, we have a unique culture at Transnation Title. Having known Lavinia for years, she is a perfect fit.”

Biasell previously worked for Fidelity National Financial as an underwriter for all of Fidelity’s Michigan title agents, and Maddin, Hauser, Roth & Heller P.C., where she served as a partner at the firm representing clients in a variety of title legal matters.

With more than 15 years of experience in the industry, Biasell also will serve as a resource for title and underwriting training at Transnation Title and help the company expand its commercial footprint.

Biasell said she is passionate about identifying creative solutions to ensure transactions move forward to successful closings.

“For me, this position is really exciting,” Biasell said. “I have an opportunity to participate in creating the role from the ground up. It involves working with different people and figuring out what their needs are and how my role can help meet those needs. The position combines what I used to do as an attorney with what I did as an underwriter. It’s a good combination of my skills.”

Among her professional commitments, Biasell served on the Michigan State Bar Character and Fitness Committee for the Oakland and Kent County districts and the board of the Michigan Land Title Association. She also is active in her community, serving as the parent-teacher association president of her children’s elementary school and on the board of the Spring Lake Schools Foundation.