Ch. 635

1995 LAWS OF MARYLAND

173A.

(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
INDICATED.

(2) (I) "LAW FIRM" MEANS AN ASSOCIATION OF ATTORNEYS WHO
ARE ADMITTED TO PRACTICE BEFORE THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE WHO:

1. ARE PRIMARILY ENGAGED IN THE PRACTICE OF LAW;
AND

2. SOLICIT, PROCURE, OR NEGOTIATE TITLE INSURANCE
CONTRACTS ONLY AS AN INCIDENT TO THE PRACTICE OF LAW.

(II) "LAW FIRM" INCLUDES A SOLE PRACTITIONER.

(III) "LAW FIRM" DOES NOT INCLUDE:

1. AN ATTORNEY OR AN ASSOCIATION OF ATTORNEYS WHO
OWN, OPERATE, OR SHARE AN INTEREST IN A TITLE AGENCY; OR

2. AN ATTORNEY WHO IS EMPLOYED BY A TITLE AGENCY
AS A TITLE INSURANCE AGENT OR A TITLE INSURANCE BROKER.

(3) (I) "TITLE AGENCY" MEANS A BUSINESS FORMED FOR THE
PRIMARY PURPOSE OF SOLICITING, PROCURING, OR NEGOTIATING TITLE
INSURANCE CONTRACTS AND PROVIDING SETTLEMENT SERVICES.

(II) "TITLE AGENCY" INCLUDES A SOLE PROPRIETOR,
PARTNERSHIP, OR CORPORATION.

(B) ALL LICENSING PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBTITLE APPLY TO TITLE
AGENCIES EVEN IF THE TITLE AGENCY IS ESTABLISHED OR OWNED BY AN
ATTORNEY OR A LAW FIRM.

(C) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS SUBTITLE:

(1) THE BONDING REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SUBTITLE RELATING TO
TITLE INSURANCE AGENTS AND TITLE INSURANCE BROKERS DO NOT APPLY TO LAW
FIRMS AND INDIVIDUAL ATTORNEYS PRACTICING LAW IN LAW FIRMS;

(2) THE CORPORATE AND PARTNERSHIP REQUIREMENTS OF THIS
SUBTITLE RELATING TO TITLE INSURANCE AGENTS AND TITLE INSURANCE
BROKERS DO NOT APPLY TO LAW FIRMS; AND

(3) THE         EDUCATION,         EXPERIENCE,         AND         EXAMINATION

REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SUBTITLE RELATING TO TITLE INSURANCE AGENTS AND
TITLE INSURANCE BROKERS DO NOT APPLY TO INDIVIDUAL ATTORNEYS OR LAW
FIRMS.

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