Joe Powell is Vice President and Managing Underwriting Counsel in the Atlanta National Commercial Services unit. He started in the title industry in 1998 as a young lawyer when friends asked him to close a loan for them. Joe agreed without any knowledge of how that process worked, but his colleague, an experienced closer, taught him how to do it. That began his journey in the professional joy of real estate transactions and title insurance underwriting. At that time Joe was working at a Chicago Title agency that grew into top producer status and was part of every possible transaction in their region from residential to commercial to industrial to multi-family.

When the post of Area Counsel for FNTG opened up in 2011, Joe made the decision to join the Company full-time. In that role, he provided underwriting counsel, advocacy and industry education to title insurance agents in Alabama, Mississippi and Arkansas. Joe’s time in Agency operations included a focus on adding value to agent relationships by creating regular online continuing education, underwriting as an “agent’s agent,” developing thought leadership on industry agenda items, and being the voice for the Company through social media. During his tenure the ALMA underwriting and commercial escrow staff grew from 1 to 4 lawyers.

Joe recognizes that his role as underwriter in complex commercial transactions is to seek all the information needed to provide our customers with a “yes.” Any underwriter can turn a deal down. He wants to work with our Insureds to provide the coverages desired in a way that not only gets the deal done, but allows the customer to realize a win while our Company excels in the relationship and earns the opportunity to do business again.

Joe is admitted to State Bars of Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia and maintains his title insurance agent license in Alabama and Mississippi. He has a B.A. from University of Alabama (Political Science/History), a J.D. from University of Alabama School of Law, and the LL.M in Risk Management from Texas A&M University School of Law, where he is also an Adjunct Professor. Joe’s involvements, memberships include:

• National Title Professional™ - a designation of the American Land Title Association
• Active participant in Southeast Land Title Association and Land Title Association of Mississippi
• Founding Chairman of Title PAC (Alabama State PAC)
• Platinum Contributor to TIPAC
• Alabama Law Office Practice Deskbook, Contributing Editor for Real Estate chapter

Joe lives in Tuscaloosa, Alabama with his wife Mikki and four children: Jack, Max, Mary and Lottie. He describes himself as a history and information junky. Joe is a deacon and active member at Northport Baptist Church. Joe is a Life Member of Kiwanis International, following service in high school as an International Trustee and state leader of Key Club.