An Interview with Robin Schwartzman
Interviewed by: Ronni Bleich
Name: Robin Schwartzman
NYSLTA Role: Title Section, Vice-Chair
Company and Title: WFG, Senior Underwriting Counsel
Q. Why do you enjoy working with the NYSLTA?
A. I enjoy giving time to help the industry and working with and meeting others in the industry. I have made some really great connections over the years. It also allows me to keep up with industry standards.
Q. What did you focus on this year, as the Title Section of the NYSLTA?
A. We want to ensure that the Underwriters’ opinions are represented.
Q. What are you most proud of?
A. My two children. My 14 year old son, David, and my 17 year old daughter, Danielle.
Q. What do you enjoy doing while not working?
A. I enjoy reading, walking, and spending time with my kids. I really liked the book, Where the Crawdads Sing. I also watch a lot of Netflix. Some of my favorites are Ozark, Offspring, and The Queens Gambit.
Q. When did you start in the title business and how did you get started?
A. I started in the title business by answering a want ad for claims counsel at Commonwealth in 1994. I knew nothing about the title business when I started. The rest is history!
Q. Do you have any pets? What’s he/she like?
A. We have a puppy named Shiloh. We rescued her from a kill shelter in Kentucky.
Q. Who is the most influential person to you (alive or deceased)?
A. Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She fought so hard for women’s rights and made things easier for those who followed.
Q. What did you want to be when you “grew up”?
A. I always wanted to be a lawyer.
Q. If you weren’t in the Title Industry, what job/career would you want to have?
A. Definitely a school librarian. You get to tell kids what to read and get summers off. What’s better than that?!
Q. Where is your favorite place in the world?
A. I love the San Francisco/Napa Valley area – Wine Country.
Q. What is your favorite TV show?
A. Real Housewives of Beverly Hills – Don’t judge!
Q. What is your favorite movie?
A. Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
Q. What is the last song you listened to on your iPhone/android/iPod?
A. The Cold Spring Harbor album by Billy Joel
Q. What’s your favorite movie or song quote?
A. “You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.“ – (Closing Time by Semisonic)
Q. What was the first thing you bought with your own money?
A. Nice pocketbook
Q. What is one thing you have learned about yourself during this pandemic?
A. I shouldn’t take myself so seriously.
Q. Have you tried anything new or different during this pandemic?
A. I learned how to make pizza dough – something I started doing with my son. My favorite is Michael Symon’s Grandma’s pizza recipe.
Q. Tell me something not everyone knows about you.
A. I am very sarcastic. Most people have probably figured that out by now.