Essex Title is a national commercial and residential title insurance agency providing unparalleled service to clients across the real estate spectrum.
What We Do
The strength of our relationships is based upon our attention to detail and level of service. It is this level of dedication to our clients, combined with our pioneering use of technology and innovative approach, that truly positions Essex Title as a leader in the industry.
Our Mission
Our Vision
Services
Clients
Clients
Technology & Innovation
We connect with our clients through a common desire to succeed; we service our clients as partners and they always leave as friends.
Transaction Highlights
Los Angeles, CA
Hotel
Seattle, WA
Commercial
Renton, WA
Commercial
Sandy, UT
Multi-Family
Orlando, FL
Multi-Family
Plantation, FL
Multi-Family
Englewood, CO
Multi-Family
Largo, MD
Multi-Family
Morrisville, NC
Industrial
Davie, FL
Multi-Family
Deerfield Beach, FL
Multi-Family
Ashburn, VA
Multi-Family
Boynton Beach, FL
Multi-Family
Location
Sector
Los Angeles, CA
Hotel
Seattle, WA
Commercial
Renton, WA
Commercial
Sandy, UT
Multi-Family
Orlando, FL
Multi-Family
Plantation, FL
Multi-Family
Englewood, CO
Multi-Family
Largo, MD
Multi-Family
Morrisville, NC
Industrial
Davie, FL
Multi-Family
Deerfield Beach, FL
Multi-Family
Ashburn, VA
Multi-Family
Boynton Beach, FL
Multi-Family
View as Gallery
Team
Brian Hughes
Daniel Gohari
David Sadkin
Fanny Trataros
Howard Luckoff
Jim Ketai
Joanne Grobe
Josh Ketai
Mark Lapidus
Brennan is the Chief Financial Officer at Essex Title, based in the Michigan office. Brennan leads the company’s financial oversight and manages all title escrow and audit services. His wealth of financial knowledge extends to the insurance industry, with progressive expertise in leading teams and providing strategic direction and guidance in financial management.
Before joining Essex Title, Brennan worked at Genworth Financial in a variety of finance leadership and product profitability roles for 14 years. Prior to Genworth Financial, he was an Accountant at Ernst and Young, focusing on auditing. Brennan holds a master’s degree in accountancy from Notre Dame, and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Brigham Young University. Brennan is also a licensed certified public accountant.
Brian Hughes is the Chief Operating Officer at Essex Title, based in the Michigan office. Brian is a seasoned veteran in the real estate title insurance industry, boasting over 30 years of invaluable experience. With over 15 years of C Suite leadership under his belt, Brian’s expertise and strategic vision have been pivotal in shaping the industry landscape. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Dayton where he honed his skills and knowledge.
Throughout his career, Brian has been a fervent advocate for leveraging technology to deliver unparalleled service to clients. His passion for innovation has propelled him to lead one of the largest title agencies in the country, achieving unprecedented results and setting new standards of excellence.
Brian has held title insurance licenses in multiple states, demonstrating his commitment to serving clients nationwide. With a relentless drive for success and a deep-rooted belief in the power of technology, Brian continues to revolutionize the real estate industry through a strong influence in the digital closing process.
Daniel Gohari has over twenty years of experience in real estate acquisition, leasing, management, financing, marketing, and construction.
Daniel founded Avenue Property Group (APG), previously known as The Xerxes Group, in 2010. APG is a real estate acquisition company with a focus on commercial assets in New York, Miami, Denver, and other major markets throughout the U.S. The company is a partner in over three million square feet of real estate and recently completed construction of a 200,000 square foot mixed use commercial building in Denver, Colorado. Prior to founding Avenue Property Group, he was a Vice President at The Moinian Group, where he helped grow the company’s portfolio from 2 million to 20 million square feet and establish it as one of the largest privately held real estate companies in New York.
Daniel graduated from NYU Stern School of Business with a degree in finance and attended Harvard University for a Strategic Negotiations program where he finished at the top of his class.
David is Chief Operating and Development Officer of Essex Title and helps manage various aspects of the day-to-day business.
With over twenty years of experience in real estate acquisition, leasing, financing, construction, and negotiation, David has helped various public and private companies build and scale real estate teams across multiple asset classes and industries. As the first strategic hire at debt and equity private lender, Maxim Capital Group, David formed the company’s operational procedures which would help them grow the platform, having issued $4.2B in loans to date. He would go on to be selected to help create the Investment Sales division at Ackman Ziff Real Estate Group, lead the Tri-State Real Estate team at WeWork, becoming the largest occupier of office space in New York under his direction, and build the Real Estate team at HelloFresh, the largest multi-national publicly traded meal-kit company in the world.
David received an undergraduate and master’s degree from the University of Florida with a focus in business and entrepreneurship, and attended New York Law School, where he completed the Law Office Study & Clerkship program.
Fanny is the Senior Underwriting Counsel at Essex Title, based in the New York office. As a 25-year industry veteran, Fanny has a deep comprehension of real estate and title related issues coupled with a drive dedicated to customer satisfaction. With over two decades handling virtually every type of commercial property, Fanny's notable and diverse career achievements include a wide-ranging portfolio inclusive of work with large multi-site portfolios, cogeneration power plants, retail stores and malls, hospitals and medical campuses, residential developments and military bases.
Previously, Fanny was Underwriting Counsel at Chicago Title Insurance Company and First American Title Insurance of New York for over a decade. Her breadth of experience underwriting complex transactions encompasses both commercial and residential real estate assets throughout the country. Admitted to the practice of law in the State of New York, and the United States District Court in the Eastern and Southern Districts, Fanny received a J.D., cum laude, from Seton Hall University School of Law and a BA in Political Science from the State University of New York at Albany.
Howard is a Co-Founder and the General Counsel of Essex Title.
In addition to this role at Essex, Howard is also a Co-Founder of Vokal Ventures, a full-service real estate development firm based in Detroit, Michigan. He has over 30 years of legal experience across the real estate industry, having previously joined his long-term client Dan Gilbert at Bedrock Real Estate Services LLC and Rock Ventures LLC, serving as General Counsel of both companies. Prior to this, Howard was a Senior Partner at the leading Detroit-based law firms Dykema and Honigman where he focused on commercial real estate and was involved in all aspects of real estate law including development, acquisitions, land use, entitlements, development incentives, partnership and joint ventures, financing, leasing, tax, workouts and restructuring.
Howard is a 1987 summa cum laude graduate of Detroit College Law (now Michigan State University).
Jim is a Co-Founder and the Managing Partner of Essex Title overseeing all aspects of the business.
He is also the Co-Founder of Vokal Ventures, a Detroit based full service real estate development firm, having previously co-founded and served as the CEO and Managing Partner of Bedrock Real Estate. Jim led Bedrock from its inception in 2010 for almost a decade, driving its investments and commitments of more than $5.6 billion, over the course of which the firm acquired and developed more than 120 properties totaling in excess of 18 million square feet in downtown Detroit and Cleveland. Prior to this, Jim was the Managing Partner of Etkin Equities, a Southfield based full-service development company, for over 21 years where he oversaw the management of more than 8 million square feet of commercial real estate holdings.
Jim earned his BA degree from Michigan State University in 1983 and is a 1986 graduate of the Detroit College of Law (now Michigan State University). He is a member of the State Bars of Michigan and Colorado and is the holder of a Michigan Real Estate Broker’s license and Title Insurance Agent’s license.
Joanne is the Chief of Staff at Essex Title, based in the Michigan office. Joanne also serves as Chief of Staff at Vokal Ventures, the real estate development firm Jim Ketai and Howard Luckoff co-founded in 2019. Prior to Essex and Vokal, Joanne worked with Jim Ketai at Bedrock Real Estate as an Executive Assistant for four years providing high level, confidential support. Before joining Bedrock in Detroit, Joanne was based in Los Angeles for six years, where she worked in the film and television industry. Joanne earned her BA in Film and Video Studies from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Josh is the Director of Sales at Essex Title, based in the Michigan office. With significant experience across real estate and a strong network of relationships across the globe, Josh helps drive new business development for the company. Prior to joining Essex, Josh was VP of Acquisitions at the Detroit-based real estate development firm Vokal Ventures, and an Analyst at WeWork where he focused on underwriting the company’s commercial real estate transactions. Josh began his career at Hunter Pasteur Homes, where he priced and developed new construction residential single-family homes in southeast Michigan. Josh earned his BA from Eastern Michigan in 2013 having spent his first two years of undergraduate studies at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Mark is a Co-Founder of Essex Title and helps manage various aspects of the business.
A serial entrepreneur, Mark utilizes close to two decades of experience in real estate to identify unique opportunities, across multiple asset classes and industries. In 2019, Mark established a private investment firm which has participated in the acquisition of residential apartment complexes on the East Coast. Prior to this, he was a Senior Executive at WeWork, serving as the company’s first Global Head of Real Estate from its inception through to 2019. In this role, Mark led a team of over 200 employees with responsibility for building what became one of the largest occupiers of commercial office space in the world.
Mark possesses a BA degree with a concentration in Real Estate from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and a Juris Doctorate Cum Laude from New York Law School.
Chief Financial Officer
Brennan is the Chief Financial Officer at Essex Title, based in the Michigan office. Brennan leads the company’s financial oversight and manages all title escrow and audit services. His wealth of financial knowledge extends to the insurance industry, with progressive expertise in leading teams and providing strategic direction and guidance in financial management.
Before joining Essex Title, Brennan worked at Genworth Financial in a variety of finance leadership and product profitability roles for 14 years. Prior to Genworth Financial, he was an Accountant at Ernst and Young, focusing on auditing. Brennan holds a master’s degree in accountancy from Notre Dame, and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Brigham Young University. Brennan is also a licensed certified public accountant.
Chief Operating Officer
Brian Hughes is the Chief Operating Officer at Essex Title, based in the Michigan office. Brian is a seasoned veteran in the real estate title insurance industry, boasting over 30 years of invaluable experience. With over 15 years of C Suite leadership under his belt, Brian’s expertise and strategic vision have been pivotal in shaping the industry landscape. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Dayton where he honed his skills and knowledge.
Throughout his career, Brian has been a fervent advocate for leveraging technology to deliver unparalleled service to clients. His passion for innovation has propelled him to lead one of the largest title agencies in the country, achieving unprecedented results and setting new standards of excellence.
Brian has held title insurance licenses in multiple states, demonstrating his commitment to serving clients nationwide. With a relentless drive for success and a deep-rooted belief in the power of technology, Brian continues to revolutionize the real estate industry through a strong influence in the digital closing process.
Co-Founder
Daniel Gohari has over twenty years of experience in real estate acquisition, leasing, management, financing, marketing, and construction.
Daniel founded Avenue Property Group (APG), previously known as The Xerxes Group, in 2010. APG is a real estate acquisition company with a focus on commercial assets in New York, Miami, Denver, and other major markets throughout the U.S. The company is a partner in over three million square feet of real estate and recently completed construction of a 200,000 square foot mixed use commercial building in Denver, Colorado. Prior to founding Avenue Property Group, he was a Vice President at The Moinian Group, where he helped grow the company’s portfolio from 2 million to 20 million square feet and establish it as one of the largest privately held real estate companies in New York.
Daniel graduated from NYU Stern School of Business with a degree in finance and attended Harvard University for a Strategic Negotiations program where he finished at the top of his class.
Chief Development Officer
David is Chief Operating and Development Officer of Essex Title and helps manage various aspects of the day-to-day business.
With over twenty years of experience in real estate acquisition, leasing, financing, construction, and negotiation, David has helped various public and private companies build and scale real estate teams across multiple asset classes and industries. As the first strategic hire at debt and equity private lender, Maxim Capital Group, David formed the company’s operational procedures which would help them grow the platform, having issued $4.2B in loans to date. He would go on to be selected to help create the Investment Sales division at Ackman Ziff Real Estate Group, lead the Tri-State Real Estate team at WeWork, becoming the largest occupier of office space in New York under his direction, and build the Real Estate team at HelloFresh, the largest multi-national publicly traded meal-kit company in the world.
David received an undergraduate and master’s degree from the University of Florida with a focus in business and entrepreneurship, and attended New York Law School, where he completed the Law Office Study & Clerkship program.
Senior Underwriting Counsel
Fanny is the Senior Underwriting Counsel at Essex Title, based in the New York office. As a 25-year industry veteran, Fanny has a deep comprehension of real estate and title related issues coupled with a drive dedicated to customer satisfaction. With over two decades handling virtually every type of commercial property, Fanny's notable and diverse career achievements include a wide-ranging portfolio inclusive of work with large multi-site portfolios, cogeneration power plants, retail stores and malls, hospitals and medical campuses, residential developments and military bases.
Previously, Fanny was Underwriting Counsel at Chicago Title Insurance Company and First American Title Insurance of New York for over a decade. Her breadth of experience underwriting complex transactions encompasses both commercial and residential real estate assets throughout the country. Admitted to the practice of law in the State of New York, and the United States District Court in the Eastern and Southern Districts, Fanny received a J.D., cum laude, from Seton Hall University School of Law and a BA in Political Science from the State University of New York at Albany.
Co-Founder & General Counsel
Howard is a Co-Founder and the General Counsel of Essex Title.
In addition to this role at Essex, Howard is also a Co-Founder of Vokal Ventures, a full-service real estate development firm based in Detroit, Michigan. He has over 30 years of legal experience across the real estate industry, having previously joined his long-term client Dan Gilbert at Bedrock Real Estate Services LLC and Rock Ventures LLC, serving as General Counsel of both companies. Prior to this, Howard was a Senior Partner at the leading Detroit-based law firms Dykema and Honigman where he focused on commercial real estate and was involved in all aspects of real estate law including development, acquisitions, land use, entitlements, development incentives, partnership and joint ventures, financing, leasing, tax, workouts and restructuring.
Howard is a 1987 summa cum laude graduate of Detroit College Law (now Michigan State University).
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Jim is a Co-Founder and the Managing Partner of Essex Title overseeing all aspects of the business.
He is also the Co-Founder of Vokal Ventures, a Detroit based full service real estate development firm, having previously co-founded and served as the CEO and Managing Partner of Bedrock Real Estate. Jim led Bedrock from its inception in 2010 for almost a decade, driving its investments and commitments of more than $5.6 billion, over the course of which the firm acquired and developed more than 120 properties totaling in excess of 18 million square feet in downtown Detroit and Cleveland. Prior to this, Jim was the Managing Partner of Etkin Equities, a Southfield based full-service development company, for over 21 years where he oversaw the management of more than 8 million square feet of commercial real estate holdings.
Jim earned his BA degree from Michigan State University in 1983 and is a 1986 graduate of the Detroit College of Law (now Michigan State University). He is a member of the State Bars of Michigan and Colorado and is the holder of a Michigan Real Estate Broker’s license and Title Insurance Agent’s license.
Chief of Staff
Joanne is the Chief of Staff at Essex Title, based in the Michigan office. Joanne also serves as Chief of Staff at Vokal Ventures, the real estate development firm Jim Ketai and Howard Luckoff co-founded in 2019. Prior to Essex and Vokal, Joanne worked with Jim Ketai at Bedrock Real Estate as an Executive Assistant for four years providing high level, confidential support. Before joining Bedrock in Detroit, Joanne was based in Los Angeles for six years, where she worked in the film and television industry. Joanne earned her BA in Film and Video Studies from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Director of Sales
Josh is the Director of Sales at Essex Title, based in the Michigan office. With significant experience across real estate and a strong network of relationships across the globe, Josh helps drive new business development for the company. Prior to joining Essex, Josh was VP of Acquisitions at the Detroit-based real estate development firm Vokal Ventures, and an Analyst at WeWork where he focused on underwriting the company’s commercial real estate transactions. Josh began his career at Hunter Pasteur Homes, where he priced and developed new construction residential single-family homes in southeast Michigan. Josh earned his BA from Eastern Michigan in 2013 having spent his first two years of undergraduate studies at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Co-Founder
Mark is a Co-Founder of Essex Title and helps manage various aspects of the business.
A serial entrepreneur, Mark utilizes close to two decades of experience in real estate to identify unique opportunities, across multiple asset classes and industries. In 2019, Mark established a private investment firm which has participated in the acquisition of residential apartment complexes on the East Coast. Prior to this, he was a Senior Executive at WeWork, serving as the company’s first Global Head of Real Estate from its inception through to 2019. In this role, Mark led a team of over 200 employees with responsibility for building what became one of the largest occupiers of commercial office space in the world.
Mark possesses a BA degree with a concentration in Real Estate from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and a Juris Doctorate Cum Laude from New York Law School.
Contact
NEW YORK
750 Lexington Ave
9th Floor
New York, NY 10022
212.988.2020
MICHIGAN
29777 Telegraph Road
Suite 1170
Southfield, MI 48034
248.776.5000
TEXAS
1920 McKinney Ave
7th Floor
Dallas, TX 75201
469.796.8419