Experience

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  Britain/Krell, PLLC Attorneys at Law

  • Bellingham, Washington Area

  • Partner

    • Jul 2016 - Present
    • Bellingham, Washington Area

    Extensive experience was gained over the course of more than 22 years in the title insurance and escrow field in positions ranging from Title Examiner to Title Operations Manager to Underwriting and Legal Counsel in Seattle, Washington to the County Manager's position in Whatcom County, Washington. My experince as a private practice attorney commenced in 2009 with the opening of Timothy G. Krell Real Estate Law, PLLC in which I focused primarily on real estate transactional law. In that regard my focus was on real estate purchase and sale agreements, preparation of deeds, promissory notes and deeds of trust. I also have prepared easement documents, covenants and restrictions as well as road maintenance agreements. In addition I have worked with homeowner's associations in collection of annual dues and been involved in foreclosure actions relating to liens against real estate. I have acted as counsel in mediation matters involving Foreclosure Fairness Act (RCW 61.24.163) in which settlements were achieved to avoid deed of trust foreclosures. I have been involved in several trials including commercial unlawful detainer actions, quiet title action involving Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway rights-of-way and suits involving real property subject to administration in the probate court.In July of 2016 I joined Jim Britain to form Britain / Krell PLLC. In addition to the real estate experience this association will strengthen my trial practice knowledge and allow expansion of my practice to areas of business law, estate planning and probate. In addition I will continue to build upon my extensive experience as a panel discussion speaker and participant appearing as an authority in the areas of title insurance and escrow issues.

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  Timothy G. Krell Real Estate Law PLLC

  • Owner

    • Mar 2009 - Jun 2016

    After 20 plus years in the title and escrow industry in Washington State I opened my real estate law practice here in Bellingham in March of 2009. The cases handled so far range from securing a missing fulfillment deed on a real estate contract to helping coordinate the closing of a short sale transaction to providing counsel concerning how to address an overlap in legal descriptions.I am also involved in a couple of matters pending litigation - one dealing with the sale of a rental property and disclosures made at closing. The other involves a client who provided labor and materials to a construction site and is having difficulty getting paid by the party who hired him.

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  Peace Health Medical Center

  • Presenter

    • Sep 2012 - Sep 2012

    On September 25, 2012 I made a presentation at a Peace Health Conference.

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  First American Ttile Insurace Company

  • Whatcom County Manager

    • Apr 2005 - Oct 2008

    Established annual budgets and analyzed monthly profit and loss statements. Managed a staff of 33 employees responsible for title and escrow operations. Responsible for recruiting, hiring, firing and performance reviews for all staff members. Presented training seminars to staff and customers on a breadth of title and escrow topics. Utilized legal education and experience to address local underwriting needs and loss claim scenarios.

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  First American Title Insurance Company

  • Associate Regional Counsel

    • Dec 1999 - Apr 2005

    Legal and Underwriting Counsel for all Washington State brances and title agents.Administration of loss claims on title policies, guarantees and escrow transactions throughout Washington State.Claims investigations included reading legal descriptions, establishing chains of title ownership, property inspections and legal reseach.Oversight of, and collaberation with, outside counsel retained to represent insureds and / or Title Company in claims litigation.Prepared and presented training seminars for title and escrow personnel, attorneys and real estate agents.