Ch. 635

1995 LAWS OF MARYLAND

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 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) SUBJECT TO THIS SECTION, THE COMMISSIONER MAY ISSUE A SPECIAL
RESTRICTED CERTIFICATE OF QUALIFICATION TO AN ATTORNEY AT LAW OF THE
STATE.

(C) 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.

(D) 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.

10-126.

(a) Subject to the hearing provisions of Title 2 of this article, the Commissioner
may deny a certificate of qualification to an applicant or suspend, revoke, or refuse to
renew a certificate of qualification if the applicant or holder of the certificate of
qualification:

(1)     has willfully violated this article or another law of the State that relates
to insurance;

(2)     has intentionally misrepresented or concealed a material fact in the
application for a certificate of qualification;

(3)     has obtained or attempted to obtain a certificate of qualification by
misrepresentation, concealment, or other fraud;

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