Underwriting Counsel

Jim is National Underwriting Counsel, where he brings more than two decades of experience to support the closing experience. He oversees underwriting strategy, title-exam review and risk-mitigation in complex transaction environments, leveraging deep expertise in real estate practices, title insurance considerations and multi-state closings. Jim is recognized for his advocacy of best-practice underwriting and his collaborative approach to risk-management—ensuring that every closing is handled with precision, integrity and the highest standards of service. He is a Board Certified Real Estate Attorney by the Florida Bar, and he is active in ALTA and various state land title associations. 

James Thanasules was with First American Title Insurance Company for 19 years, most recently as Vice President and Senior Underwriting Counsel for the New York Agency Division. James began his title career from the ground up, involved in production, sales, claims and underwriting, both on the Direct and Agency sides. James’ extensive Agency experience offers a unique perspective. He understands the interplay between agent and underwriter; the need for responsiveness and sound decisions; and working together to achieve a common goal. James has presented CLEs and CEs on a wide variety of hot topics, including Claims, Short Sales and Reverse Mortgages. He also provides training courses for agents and the NYSLTA. James’ background includes private practice, finance and advertising.

Suzette Torres serves as Western Region Underwriting Counsel for AmTrust Title Group, where she provides strategic guidance on complex real estate transactions and title matters. With more than 20 years of experience in litigation and real estate law, she is widely recognized for her expertise in underwriting, compliance, and risk management. Suzette has held key legal advisory roles with several public and national title companies.

She actively contributes to industry leadership on several committees with the California Land Title Association and as a Board Director - Underwriter Representative on the Oregon Land Title Association. She also champions diversity and inclusion through advisory and leadership positions with the National Filipino American Lawyers Association (NFALA), the Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area (AABA), and the California Women Lawyers association (CWL). Her commitment to collaboration and innovative solutions makes her a trusted leader in the title insurance industry.

Janice Dempster’s impressive career includes roles at both underwriters as well as national title agencies. She holds a Juris Doctor from Loyola University of Chicago, School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts from Purdue University, where she graduated with distinction. Janice’s extensive legal expertise and leadership experience is instrumental in guiding our company through the complexities of the title insurance industry.

John has been in the title business for almost 50 years, starting as a searcher in New Jersey.  He has worked for both agents and underwriters and served as commercial title examiner and state underwriting counsel.

John is active in the New Jersey Land Title Association as vice chair of the Amicus Committee and Legislative Committee. He also serves on the Recording Practice Committee.  He has taught both pre-licensing and continuing education, and has authored numerous articles.  In 2017 John was recognized by the NJLTA as a Certified Title Professional. 

John joined AmTrust in 2021 as NJ Underwriting Counsel and currently is Underwriter for NJ, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and the District of Columbia.

As a National Senior Underwriter for AmTrust Title, Chris is responsible for providing underwriting support to our many customers while attracting new title agents as a business development executive. He brings an extensive knowledge of the products and services the Company offers, with 30 years of industry experience in relationship-based consulting, sales, marketing and underwriting, Chris has held county, state and national leadership positions for many of the world’s largest title insurers and several prominent title agencies as well. He has been a frequent guest speaker, presenter and sponsor at numerous industry related events and is a member of several real estate associations.

Steven Presley is a board-certified real estate lawyer who currently serves as Florida State Counsel for AmTrust Title. With more than a decade of dedicated experience in title insurance, real-estate law and underwriting, Steven is a seasoned attorney who brings a depth of expertise to complex title issues and transaction risk management. Steven oversees underwriting initiatives throughout Florida, supports agents in resolving intricate title and closing challenges, and contributes to the development of risk-mitigation strategies across the state’s market.

Michael P. Sasso joined First Nationwide Title, an AmTrust Financial Company, in May, 2016 as a Divisional Senior Vice President and Senior Underwriting Counsel. Prior to joining First Nationwide, Michael was senior underwriting counsel with First American Title Insurance Company.

Prior to moving into the title insurance industry Michael was in private practice where he worked for a boutique bankruptcy firm where he was the senior associate in the bankruptcy and reorganization department. Subsequently, he joined the staff of a Bankruptcy Panel Trustee in New York City.  

Most recently Michael served as an editor of the 4th Edition of Real Estate Titles (The Practice of Real Estate Law in New York) and contributed to the chapter on bankruptcy.

Michael is a graduate of Brooklyn Law School (1988), and received his BS in finance from St. John’s University (1985).