10 First American legal leaders
Garrett Rogers, SVP, Chief Operations Counsel at First American, leads these First American legal leaders, alongside a division general counsel, a law group director and vice presidents of operations, agency, underwriting and regulatory counsel. A reader can learn how legal leaders work at First American from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
Bethany Flanders
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Division Area Manager and Counsel · First American
Bethany Flanders has been Vice President Division Area Manager and Counsel at First American since September 2024 and was Senior Underwriting Counsel there from 2022 to 2024. Bethany Flanders was Underwriting Counsel at First American from 2019 to 2022 and Associate Underwriting Counsel there from 2014 to 2019.
Blake Hardwick
LinkedInExperience: VP, Division Underwriting Counsel · First American
Blake Hardwick has been VP, Division Underwriting Counsel at First American since October 2025 and was VP, Regional Underwriting Counsel there from 2023 to 2025. Blake Hardwick was VP, Senior Underwriting Counsel, and Colorado Counsel at First American from 2016 to 2023 and Attorney at Snell & Wilmer from 2010 to 2016.
Bradley Gibson
LinkedInExperience: UCC Division General Counsel · First American
Bradley Gibson has been UCC Division General Counsel at First American since January 2019 and was Associate General Counsel at First American from 2007 to 2019. Bradley Gibson was Court Attorney/Claims Attorney at American Contractors Indemnity Company\HCC Surety Group from 2002 to 2007 and Associate at Sedgwick LLP from 1998 to 2002.
Fred Gooch
LinkedInExperience: VP Sr. Operations Counsel · First American
Fred Gooch has been VP Sr. Operations Counsel at First American since January 2025 and also lists Chief Legal & Compliance Officer at Docutech® as a current role held since 2020. The profile headline names VP Sr. Operations Counsel at First American - Docutech and lists regulatory compliance and mortgage lending technology.
Garrett Rogers
LinkedInExperience: SVP, Chief Operations Counsel · First American
Garrett Rogers has been SVP, Chief Operations Counsel at First American since September 2025 and was VP, Senior Operations Counsel there from 2016 to 2025. Garrett Rogers was Corporate Counsel at First American from 2013 to 2016 and describes leading regulatory and legal operations across the enterprise.
John LaJoie
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Regulatory Counsel First American Title - Board Certified Real Estate Lawyer- · First American
John LaJoie has been Vice President Regulatory Counsel First American Title - Board Certified Real Estate Lawyer- at First American since January 2012 and was VP - Senior Operations Counsel - Underwriter at First American from 1983 to 2026. John LaJoie is based in Tallahassee, Florida, and the headline notes Florida Bar certification.
Laura C. McNeill
LinkedInExperience: VP, National Agency Division Counsel · First American Title Insurance Company
Laura C. McNeill has been VP, National Agency Division Counsel at First American Title Insurance Company since September 2022, and the profile headline reads Director - National Agency Underwriting/ Underwriting Counsel. Laura C. McNeill is based in Louisville, Kentucky, according to the listing.
Manus Holmes
LinkedInExperience: Vice President, District of Columbia Counsel and Maryland State Counsel · First American Title Insurance Company
Manus Holmes has been Vice President, District of Columbia Counsel and Maryland State Counsel at First American Title Insurance Company since March 2026. Manus Holmes was Vice President and Senior Counsel at First American from 2006 to 2026 and is based in Columbia, Maryland, according to the listing.
Patrick Reider
LinkedInExperience: Law Group Director · First American Title Insurance Company
Patrick Reider has been Law Group Director at First American Title Insurance Company since December 2019 and was Law Group Manager there from 2015 to 2019. Patrick Reider was Counsel at First American Title Insurance Company from 2013 to 2015 and Partner at Arminak Reider APC from 2012 to 2013.
Shannon Coleman
LinkedInExperience: VP, National Agency Counsel · First American
Shannon Coleman has been VP, National Agency Counsel at First American since April 2022. Shannon Coleman was Underwriting Counsel for Massachusetts and Rhode Island, State Counsel for Rhode Island at Stewart Title from 2018 to 2022 and Senior Claims Counsel at Stewart Title from 2008 to 2018.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's legal area, such as operations counsel, agency counsel, underwriting counsel, regulatory counsel or a division legal role, to the decision you face. Check when each person started the current role to judge how recent the experience is.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01What did you focus on first when you took on your current legal role?
- 02How do you decide which legal questions your team answers and which go to outside counsel?
- 03What has your own work taught you about advising business teams on regulatory questions?
Reaching First American legal leaders
How can I contact one of these First American legal leaders?
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About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot; roles marked former had ended by then. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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