Fidelity National Financial’s (FNF) agency division recently welcomed William “Bill” O’Connell, Esq. to serve as vice president and Mid-Atlantic underwriting counsel.
O’Connell is known throughout the Mid-Atlantic for combining legal expertise with a focus on service, according to a release. For more than 16 years, he led underwriting, legal, and regulatory efforts in Maryland for a national title insurance underwriter.
“The reception I received here at FNF has been unbelievable,” O’Connell said in a release. “Truly, I’ve never felt more welcomed and wanted from a team or on a team in my entire career. At the end of the day, this industry is about people — every stakeholder in the transaction, from the agent to the client to the underwriter. There's a lot we can do with technology, but what matters most is how we make people feel. We must leave people in a better place than when we found them.”
O’Connell said he believes agents need empowerment — not just answers.
“They need to know they can pick up the phone without feeling inadequate,” O’Connell explained. “They need to feel like the underwriter is glad they called. That’s how you build confidence and keep transactions moving. We always want to find a way to say, ‘Yes.’ Sometimes that requires creativity and problem-solving skills. It's our job to help our customers understand the solution, be able to explain it to others, and get to the finish line. It's all about how you treat people.”
Two of O’Connell’s colleagues praised him for his past work and noted they look forward to having him be a part of the FNF team.
“Bill has long been a beloved and respected figure in our industry,” FNF State Agency Manager for Maryland Robert Schneider said. “I’ve known him for years and always admired his dedication to our industry title agents. His presence on our team opens up new opportunities for connection, education, and service throughout the region. I’m genuinely excited for what we can build together.”
Joe Shepherd, Mid-Atlantic manager for FNF, echoed Schneider’s thoughts.
“As we continue to grow and invest in our agents and partners, Bill’s joining us reflects what the market is asking for — leadership with integrity, technical excellence, and a heart for helping others,” Shepherd said. “He’s the perfect fit for our culture, and I’m excited to see the impact he’ll make.”