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July 2023 » thefivestar.com 19 July 2023 J O U R N A L Attorneys USMI APPOINTS CHRISTINA BROWN AS VP AND SENIOR COUNSEL U.S. Mortgage Insurers (USMI) announced that Christina Brown will serve as VP and Senior Counsel for the association. Prior to joining USMI, Brown worked in a senior legal role at a mid-size independent mortgage bank and on regulatory and policy matters related to residential mortgage lending and servicing for a large depository institution. Brown previously served as Acting Principal Deputy General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Brown is a dedicated attorney with signif- icant mortgage, real estate, legal, regulatory, and operations experience across law firms, the federal government, and the private sector. At HUD, she served as the primary advisor to the General Counsel and support- ed the Department's senior leaders including the Secretary and Deputy Secretary. She also led multiple administrative reform efforts identified in HUD's Housing Finance Reform Plan and collaborated with the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and other government agencies on cross-cutting legal and regulatory issues, including legislative initiatives related to the COVID-19 National Emergency and HUD's responsibilities under the CARES Act. "We are thrilled to have Christina join our team and share her deep knowledge of the mortgage industry, the housing finance system, and the regulatory process to support our members as they enable access to afford- able homeownership, while strengthening the safety and soundness of the housing finance system," said Seth Appleton, Presi- dent of USMI. "Christina's background and experience in legal and regulatory matters in the federal government and private sectors provide a unique perspective that will allow us to better serve and advocate for the bor- rowers and taxpayers who benefit from low down payment mortgages backed by private capital." USMI has also announced that Brendan Kihn is being promoted to VP of Government Relations. Kihn has worked with USMI for 7 years, previously serving as Senior Director of Government Relations. He represents the association in front of lawmakers, regulators, and housing industry stakeholders in Washington, D.C., where he aids in the development of legislative and regulatory strategies to advocate on behalf of the private MI industry on issues focused on increasing sustainable and affordable homeownership, strengthening the housing finance system, and tax policy. "During his tenure at USMI, Brendan has enabled the association to be nimble and effective on advocacy initiatives with policymakers, housing industry stakeholders, and consumer advocate organizations," said Appleton. "Brendan's promotion recognizes his critical role at USMI and is a reflection of the important work that he will continue to do to strengthen USMI through advocacy efforts that benefit millions of low down payment borrowers and the housing finance system." KRISS LAW/ATLANTIC CLOSING & ESCROW ADDS ANDREW BRAMHALL TO COMMERCIAL DIVISION Kriss Law/Atlantic Closing & Escrow has appointed industry veteran Andrew Bramhall to serve in the role of SVP, National Commercial Underwriting Counsel. He will be asked to help grow the company's established Commercial Services Division, as well as supporting clients and facilitating complex transactions. Bramhall will be based in the firm's Needham, Massachusetts-based headquarters. Bramhall has nearly two decades of experience underwriting commercial real estate transactions. He has served as national counsel for the country's largest title insurers, including Chicago Title's New York and Washington, D.C., National Commercial Services direct offices as well as First Amer- ican's Washington, D.C., National Com- mercial Services operation. He has helped facilitate settlements in nearly every state, from single-site office buildings to multistate industrial and hospitality portfolios. "We are pleased to have Andrew join our team," said Len Franco, President, Kriss Law/Atlantic Closing & Escrow Commercial Services Division. "The experience, industry knowledge, and customer focus he brings will provide our clients with an unparalleled underwriting experience." "We are pleased to have Andrew join our team. The experience, industry knowledge, and customer focus he brings will provide our clients with an unparalleled underwriting experience." — Len Franco, President, Kriss Law/ Atlantic Closing & Escrow Commercial Services Division