Skylar Sellers

I received my joint JD/MBA from Santa Clara University. Prior to and throughout law school, and for the start of my legal career, I had the privilege to be taught and mentored by John Marshall Collins, who was also an adjunct real estate law professor at Santa Clara University. As an associate at Mr. Collins firm, which specializes in commercial real estate, I had the opportunity to work on a wide range of transactional matters such as drafting real estate purchase and sale agreements and commercial leases, establishing various types of entities to hold and manage a client’s business or real property, and drafting estate plans. I also worked on litigation matters, such as breach of contracts, unlawful detainers, and a condemnation action, as well as probate proceedings and various other real estate related proceedings. Additionally, having achieved my MBA, I am able to analyze a client’s needs from the perspective of legal counsel in conjunction with the business knowledge to help the client make better and informed legal and business decisions.

As an underwriting counsel at First American Title, National Commercial Services division, I worked on a wide range of real estate transactions, several of which were +$100M deals. The office I worked out of specialized in development transaction, which exposed me to the entitlement and mapping process, construction contracts, construction financing, ground leasing deals, and mechanic’s lien mitigation. I negotiated various indemnity agreements and policy coverage. As part of the role, I regularly reviewed leases, SNDAs, entity documents, PSAs, options and ROFR/ROFOs, and any other related agreements or contracts. The position gave me the opportunity to be autonomous and make decisions at times as well as work as a team to find a solution on a complex issue and seek appropriate approvals when necessary.

Prior to and throughout law school, and for the start of my legal career, I had the privilege to be taught and mentored by John Marshall Collins, who was also an adjunct real estate law professor at Santa Clara University. As an associate at Mr. Collins firm, which specializes in commercial real estate, I had the opportunity to work on a wide range of transactional matters such as drafting real estate purchase and sale agreements and commercial leases, establishing various types of entities to hold and manage a client’s business or real property, and drafting estate plans. I also worked on litigation matters, such as breach of contracts, unlawful detainers, and a condemnation action, as well as probate proceedings and various other real estate related proceedings. Additionally, having achieved my MBA, I am able to analyze a client’s needs from the perspective of legal counsel in conjunction with the business knowledge to help the client make better and informed legal and business decisions.

As an underwriting counsel at First American Title, National Commercial Services division, I worked on a wide range of real estate transactions, several of which were +$100M deals. The office I worked out of specialized in development transaction, which exposed me to the entitlement and mapping process, construction contracts, construction financing, ground leasing deals, and mechanic’s lien mitigation. I negotiated various indemnity agreements and policy coverage. As part of the role, I regularly reviewed leases, SNDAs, entity documents, PSAs, options and ROFR/ROFOs, and any other related agreements or contracts. The position gave me the opportunity to be autonomous and make decisions at times as well as work as a team to find a solution on a complex issue and seek appropriate approvals when necessary.

I received my joint JD/MBA from Santa Clara University. The process of obtaining the dual degree was demanding, but the experience was rewarding. I was able to combine my love of law and business and explore how the two worlds interact. The experience better prepared me for a career in the real world.