Northbrook, Ill.-based Proper Title, LLC, a full-service title insurance agency serving the residential and commercial real estate industries, announced it has welcomed industry leaders Samuel A. Shiel, Esq., as director of title operations/underwriting counsel, and Kim O’Donnell, as senior account executive. Combined, Shiel and O’Donnell bring more than 45 years of experience in the title insurance industry to Proper Title.

Ben Niernberg, executive vice president of business development and operations at Proper Title, said, “Our mission at Proper Title is to bring an innovative and progressive approach to a storied industry, and the only way that can be achieved is through people who share that vision.” He added, “With accomplished industry veterans like Sam and Kim joining our firm, it not only demonstrates the breadth and depth of knowledge available at Proper Title, but also that we are a destination for the industry’s top talent.”

For the past 25 years, Shiel, 48, has served as an examiner and counsel for both private title insurance providers as well as public agencies, including appointments as a court-appointed receiver in a fraud case, in addition to serving as deputy general counsel for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Most recently, Shiel served as vice president and Midwest underwriting counsel for Title Resources Guaranty Company.

Shiel said, “Having been an underwriter and examiner for a quarter of a century, I’ve seen just about every situation relating to title clearance, as well as the evolution of the industry and regulatory landscape. It’s exciting for me to bring that in-depth knowledge to a firm that is focused on becoming a game-changer in the industry.” Shiel received his juris doctor degree from the University of Detroit, and a bachelor degree from Michigan State University. He is licensed to practice law in Illinois and Michigan, and is also a licensed real estate broker in Illinois.

O’Donnell, 45, has spent the past 19 years with Chicago Title Insurance, marketing title insurance and escrow services to the Chicago area’s leading developers, attorneys, investors, lenders and mortgage brokers. In that role, she developed and maintained 350 major accounts and managed a $5 million territory.

“My experience working with the largest title insurance underwriter in the nation gives me a unique perspective in this business and, most notably, where the industry can improve. So, it’s exciting to be part of the Proper Title team, which embraces change and is at the forefront of disrupting and improving the title insurance industry,” said O’Donnell. She is a certified personnel consultant, and earned her bachelor’s degree from DePaul University.

Established in 2013 with just 27 employees, Proper Title has grown to become a major player in the title insurance industry with 45 current employees and eight closing locations in Cook, Lake and DuPage counties, as well as one in New Buffalo, Mich. The firm is on course to be among the top-five-largest title insurance agencies in Illinois, and recently earned the “2014 Rising Star / Excellence in Action” award by Fidelity Investments.
About Proper Title
Northbrook, Ill.-based Proper Title, LLC, is a full-service title insurance company serving the residential and commercial real estate industries. Since its founding in 2013, Proper Title has become a major player in the industry, on course to be among the top five-largest title insurance agencies in Illinois, and recently earning the “2014 Rising Star / Excellence in Action” award by Fidelity Investments. Proper Title is the first to implement a concierge approach in the delivery of all of its title insurance and escrow services. The concierge approach focuses on every aspect of the process, from dedicating an attorney/broker concierge for each closing to ensure unmatched service, to providing food and beverages, as well as offering multiple device charging stations in each closing room. This unique, service-oriented concept focuses on making the client’s closing experience the best it can be from order to closing. Proper Title also overstaffs in all areas of the closing process to ensure shorter closing times and greater efficiency while maintaining a competitive pricing structure. With eight closing locations in Cook, Lake and DuPage counties, as well as one in New Buffalo, Mich., Proper Title is able to deliver the concierge experience throughout the Chicago area and the Midwest. For more information, visit propertitle.com.

Sam Shiel

Kim O’Donnell