Advocus National Title Expands Leadership Team

Advocus National Title Insurance Co. has expanded its national leadership team as it moves to scale its underwriting platform across the country.

The attorney-focused title insurance underwriter said the leadership changes are intended to support national growth while maintaining its long-standing emphasis on attorney involvement in real estate transactions.

Advocus has operated as a national underwriter for more than six decades.

As part of the expansion, the company appointed Kelli Fogarty as executive vice president of business development and Stan Czaja as executive vice president and general manager.

They will join Peter Birnbaum and Henry Shulruff in leading the company’s national underwriting operations.

“These appointments are about adding strength, scale and perspective to a leadership team that has already built something special,” said Jill Cadwell, president of Advocus. “Peter and Hank remain deeply engaged in the company’s strategy and operations, and Kelli and Stan bring complementary experience that allows us to grow thoughtfully — supporting attorneys and traditional title agents alike — without losing what makes Advocus unique.”

Advocus also recently introduced a virtual closing platform and migrated to a new operating system aimed at improving transaction processing and data security.

Birnbaum said the company’s focus remains on leadership continuity and long-term direction.

“We have always focused on building a team that will carry our mission forward. Kelli and Stan are extraordinary leaders, and we are excited to support them in the years to come,” he said.

Shulruff described the expansion as a measured approach to growth.

“The opportunity ahead is to scale responsibly by partnering with attorneys and traditional agents in key markets who want a national underwriter that values service, consistency and long-term relationships, Stan and Kelli are well-suited for this work,” he said.

Czaja will focus on expanding the company’s national footprint — strengthening underwriting operations and supporting attorney-agents and traditional title agents.

Fogarty is a real estate attorney and has held leadership roles in attorney organizations, including serving on the board of the Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association. She is also the founder and former president of the Chicagoland Association of Real Estate Attorneys.

“Advocus was built by attorneys who believe consumers deserve legal guidance when it matters most,” she said. “As we grow nationally, we are committed to working with both attorney and traditional title agents who share our focus on professionalism, consumer protection and strong underwriting standards.”

Fogarty and Czaja will report to Cadwell. Birnbaum and Shulruff will continue to play active roles in guiding strategy, operations, client relationships and legislative efforts as part of the expanded leadership structure, the company added.