Agenda / Content Covered

All times are shown in Eastern time.

1. Closing Checklists and Document Management Insights
   11:00 - 11:30, Richard J. Fox
   1. Closing Process and Timetable
   2. Closing Checklists (With Sample)
   3. Tracking the Case From Contract Through Closing
   4. Document Management Tips
2. Real Estate Contracts: What You Need to Know
   11:30 - 12:15, Paul A. Lanni
   1. Letter of Intent
   2. Purchase and Sale Agreement
   3. Escrow and Earnest Money Agreement
   4. Land Contracts and Lease Options
   5. Lease Agreement and Lease Abstract
   6. Easement Agreements
3. Reading and Writing Legal Descriptions and Deeds
   12:30 - 1:15, John Lotardo
4. Reviewing Title Commitments and Land Surveys
   1:15 - 2:15, John Lotardo
   1. Title Searches and Reports
   2. The Title Commitment and Exception Documents
   3. Land Survey Review
   4. Title and Survey Objection Letters
   5. Curing Title Defects: Drafting Corrective Deeds, Affidavits and More
5. Examining Other Due Diligence Materials and Reports
   2:45 - 3:15, Paul A. Lanni
   1. Seller's Disclosures
   2. Due Diligence Materials
   3. Appraisals
   4. Environmental Site Assessments
   5. Zoning Compliance
   6. Building/Engineering Reports
6. Real Estate Financing Documentation
   3:15 - 4:00, Richard J. Fox
   1. The Commitment Letter
   2. Loan Agreement
   3. Promissory Note
   4. Security Agreement
   5. Mortgages/Deeds of Trust
   6. Guaranties and Other Documentation
7. How to Prepare Closing Documents and Binders
   4:15 - 5:00, Richard J. Fox
   1. Preparing Closing Packages for Residential Transactions
   2. Preparing Closing Packages for Commercial Transactions
   3. Recording Deeds and Mortgages
8. Ethics for Paralegals
   5:00 - 6:00, Paul A. Lanni
   1. Avoiding UPL
   2. Preserving Confidentiality
   3. Communications
   4. Bookkeeping & Client Funds

Accreditation Details:

RICHARD J. FOX is an attorney with the Law Office of Richard J. Fox PLLC, where his practice focuses on commercial and residential real estate, construction law, and property related litigation. As legal counsel, he represents buyers, sellers, and lenders in residential and commercial real estate transactions, including title searches and closings, as well as property dispute resolution through mediation and litigation. As a title insurance agent, Mr. Fox reviews title opinions and issues title insurance policies. He is admitted to practice in Vermont and Massachusetts and before the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Mr. Fox is a member of the Vermont, Massachusetts, and Chittenden County bar associations; and is an agent for Vermont Attorneys Title Corporation. He earned his B.A. degree from Rutgers College and his J.D. degree from The George Washington University Law School.

PAUL A. LANNI is a general practice attorney and senior associate with the law firm of Blodnick, Fazio & Associates, P.C. His practice areas include commercial litigation, general litigation, real estate and complex real estate workouts, mortgage modifications, landlord/tenant law, foreclosures, estate planning and litigation, matrimonial and family law, corporate law and business planning, personal injury, bankruptcy, and vehicle and traffic law. Mr. Lanni has been a CLE lecturer for the National Business Institute for various programs concerning issues on landlord/tenant, foreclosure, real estate purchase agreements and title issues, and civil litigation. Mr. Lanni was admitted to the bar of the state of New York in 1997. He has also been admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Southern districts of New York, as well as before the U.S. Federal Court of Claims. He earned his B.A. degree from SUNY at Stony Brook; his paralegal certificate from Adelphi University; and his J.D. degree from Touro College, Jacob D. Fuchberg Law Center.

JOHN T. LOTARDO AKA THE TITLEMAN aka the TITLEMAN™ is senior vice president, director of operations, and national commercial counsel for Commonwealth Land Title Company. He is the former senior underwriter and state counsel for First American Title Insurance Company in Arizona and Nevada. Previously, Mr. Lotardo was senior vice president and general counsel for Stewart Title & Trust of Phoenix Inc., as well as state underwriting and claims counsel for Stewart Title Guaranty Company. As a licensed attorney, his practice entails all aspects of real estate, title/escrow and corporate operations. Mr. Lotardo earned his B.A. degree, with honors and academic distinction, from C.W. Post, Long Island University; and his J.D. degree from Arizona State University. He is a frequent speaker, instructor, retained expert, and guest commentator. Being past president of the Land Title Association of Arizona, Mr. Lotardo has been a member of many real estate organizations, including holding the position of president for the Arizona Trustee Association, as well as being an active member of the State Bar of Arizona; the Arizona State Escrow Association; and bankruptcy, lending, foreclosure, legislative, judiciary and corporate organizations locally and nationwide. He recently completed his tenure on the Arizona Association of Realtors' Residential Contract Revision Workgroup and served on the Education Advisory Committee for the Arizona Department of Real Estate. Mr. Lotardo is the author of numerous articles and columns including the popular Ask the TITLEMAN™, which is in print throughout the United States. He also has been a guest commentator on talk radio for KFNX 1100 and KFNN 1510. Mr. Lotardo had been the editor for the Real Property Journal for the State Bar of Arizona for a number of years. He has been selected as a Who's Who in the legal community as part of The Business Journal's Leading Lawyers Program. Currently, he is the president of the Real Estate Advisory Board to the Maricopa County Recorder.