SETTLEMENT AND RELEASE AGREEMENT 

This Settlement and Release Agreement ("Agreement") is made as of this 9th day of 

September 2015 by, between, and among the following undersigned Parties: 

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as Receiver for Washington Mutual Bank 

r'FDIC-R"), and First American Title Insurance Company ("First American") (individually, the 

FDIC-R and First American may be referred to herein as "Party" and collectively as the "Parties"). 

RECITALS 

Prior to September 25, 2008, Washington Mutual Bank (''WaMu") was a depository 

institution organized and existing under the laws of the State of Washington; 

On September 25, 2008, WaMu was closed by the Office of Thrift Supervision and 

pursuant to 12 U.S.C. § HQI(c), the FDIC was appointed receiver. In accordance with 12 U.S.C. 

§ 1821(d), the FDIC-R succeeded to all rights, titles, powers and privileges ofWaMu, including 

those with respect to its assets; 

Among the assets to which the FDIC-R claims to have succeeded are any and all claims, 

demands, and causes of action related to or arising under Closing Protection Letters ("CPLs") 

issued by First American; 

On September 18, 2014, the FDIC-R filed a complaint against First American seeking 

recovery under a CPL issued by First American. The lawsuit is now pending in the United States 

District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division, in FDIC as Receiverfor 

Washington Mutual Bank v. First American Title Insurance Company, Case No.2: 14-cv-13624-

GAD-MKM (the .. Action"). The claim asserted by the FDIC-R against First American in the 
(b)(4) 

(b)(4) 

(b)(S)moo 

Action is hereinafter referred to as the "Priority Title/WaMu CPL Claim." First American has 

denied liability in the Action; and 

The undersigned Parties deem it in their best interests to enter into this Agreement to avoid 

the uncertainty, trouble, and expense of further litigation. 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises, undertakings, payments, and 

releases stated herein, the sufficiency of which consideration is hereby acknowledged, the 

undersigned Parties agree, each with the other, as follows: 

SECTION 1: Payment to FDIC-R 

A. As an essential covenant and condition to this Agreement, First American agrees to 

pay the FDIC-R the sum of eight hundred eighty-nine thousand dollars and no cents ($889,000.00) 

r'the Settlement Payment"). 

B. Within fifteen (15) business days after the execution and delivery of a signed copy 

of the Agreement by each of the undersigned Parties, including by means permitted under Section 

V.C hereto (the "Payment Date"), the Settlement Payment shall be delivered to FDIC-R by direct 

wire transfer to the following account: 

Federal Home Loan Bank of New York 

New York Main Office 

10 1 Park A venue 

New York, NY 10178-0599 

212-681-6000 

212-44I-6R90 (Fax number) 

---ROUTING#:·f..__· ___ __. 

FOR CREDIT TO: FDIC National Liquidation Account 

.. ACCOtJNT#:I· ... I 

OBI: FIN 10015; Washington Mutual Bank; Henderson, Nevada; Asset Number: 

-l m •• I Contact Aaron M. Forester; 703-516-5056; Professional Liability 

lawsuit (37100); DIF Fund. 

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C. If the FDIC-R does not receive the Settlement Payment in full by the Payment Date, 

then FDIC-R, in its sole discretion, shall have the right at any time prior to receipt of the Settlement 

Payment in full to: 

l. Extend the period of time for the Settlement Payment; or 

2. Enforce this Agreement, in which event First American agrees to 

jurisdiction in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Southern 

Division and agrees to pay all of the FDIC-R's reasonable attorney's fees and costs expended in 

enforcing the terms of this Agreement; or 

3. Terminate the Agreement and move to vacate any dismissal of the Action 

to which First American agrees to consent, and reinstitute or resume any action on the FDIC-R's 

claims in the Action. First American further agrees not to assert any objections, defenses, claims, 

or counterclaims, including any defense based on any statute of limitations that would bar any of 

the FDIC-R's claims, that did not exist or were otherwise unavailable as of the date this Agreement 

was fully executed; and/or 

4. Seek any other relief available to it in law or equity. 

Any extension of time under Section I.C.l for delivery of the Settlement Payment or 

acceptance of a portion of the Settlement Payment shall not prejudice the FDIC-R · s rights to take 

any of the actions set forth in Section I.C.2 through I.C.4 at any time prior to receipt of Settlement 

Payment in full. 

SECTION II: Stipulation of Dismissal 

Within five (5) business days after receipt of the Settlement Payment, the FDIC-R shall 

file a stipulation of dismissal with prejudice with each party to bear its own costs as these were 

originally incurred, executed by the attorneys for all of the Parties in the form attached hereto as 

Exhibit A, in the Action. 

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SECTION III: Releases 

A. Release of First American by FDIC-R. 

Effective upon receipt in full of the Settlement Payment, and except as provided in Section 

IILC., the FDIC-R, for itself and its employees, officers, directors, attorneys, representatives, 

successors and assigns, hereby releases and discharges First American and its parent corporations, 

subsidiaries, affiliates, administrators, insurers, and all of their current and former shareholders, 

officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys, representatives, successors and assigns, from any 

and all claims, demands, obligations, damages, actions, and causes of action, direct or indirect, in 

law or in equity, belonging to the FDIC-R, that arise from or relate to the Action, including without 

limitation the Priority Title/WaMu CPL Claim. 

B. Release of FDIC-R by First American. 

Effective simultaneously with the release granted in Section liLA. above, First American, 

on behalf of itself individually, and its parent corporations, subsidiaries, affiliates, administrators, 

insurers, and all of their current and former shareholders, officers, directors, employees, agents, 

attomeys, representatives, successors and assigns, hereby releases and discharges the FDIC-R, and 

its employees, officers, directors, attorneys, representatives, successors and assigns, from any and 

all claims, demands, obligations, damages, actions, and causes of action, direct or indirect, in law 

or in equity, that arise from or relate to the Action, including without limitation the Priority 

Title/WaMu CPL Claim. 

C. Express Reservations From Releases By FDIC-R. 

I. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the FDIC-R does 

not release, and expressly preserves fully and to the same extent as if the Agreement had not been 

executed, any claims or causes of action: 

a. which are not expressly released in Section liLA., above; 

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b. against First American or any other person or entity for liability, if 

any, incurred as the maker, endorser, or guarantor of any promissory note or indebtedness payable 

or owed by them to the FDIC-R, WaMu, other financial institutions, or any other person or entity, 

including without limitation any such claims acquired by the FDIC-R as successor in interest to 

WaMu or any person or entity other than WaMu; 

c. against any person or entity not expressly released m this 

Agreement; and 

d. assigned to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association in the 

Purchase and Assumption Agreement dated as of September 25, 2008, provided, however, that for 

purposes of this Agreement, the FDIC-R expressly warrants that the Priority Title/WaMu CPL 

Claim has not been so assigned. 

2. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, nothing in this 

Agreement shall be construed or interpreted as limiting, waiving, releasing or compromising the 

jurisdiction and authority of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in the exercise of its 

supervisory or regulatory authority or to diminish its ability to institute administrative enforcement 

proceedings seeking removal, prohibition or any other relief it is authorized to seek pursuant to its 

supervisory or regulatory authority against any person. 

3. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, this Agreement 

does not purport to waive, or intend to waive, any claims which could be brought by the United 

States through the Department of Justice, the United States Attorney's Office for any federal 

judicial district, or any other department or agency or the United States as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 

6. In addition, the FDIC-R specifically reserves the right to seek court-ordered restitution pursuant 

5 
to the relevant provisions of the Victim and Witness Protection Act and/or the Mandatory Victims 

Restitution Act, 18 U .S.C. §§ 3322 and 3663, et seq., if appropriate. 

SECTION IV: Representations and Acknowledgements 

A. Advice of Counsel. Each Party hereby acknowledges that it has consulted with and 

obtained the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and that this Agreement has been 

explained to that Party by its counsel. 

B. Authorized Signatories and Binding Effect. All of the undersigned persons 

represent and warrant that they are Parties hereto or are authorized to sign this Agreement on behalf 

of the respective Party, and that they have the full power and authority to bind such Party to each 

and every provision of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the 

benefit of the undersigned Parties and their respective heirs. executors, trustees, administrators, 

representatives, successors and assigns. 

SECTION V: Other Matters 

A. No Admission of Liability. The undersigned Parties each acknowledge and agree 

that: (i) the matters set forth in this Agreement constitute the settlement and compromise of 

disputed claims and defenses, (ii) this Agreement is not an admission or evidence of liability by 

any of them regarding any claim or defense, (iii) this Agreement is not a waiver of any defense in 

any other action now, or in the future, pending between the Parties, and (iv) the Agreement shall 

not be offered or received in evidence by or against any Party except to enforce its terms. 

B. Entire Agreement and Amendments. This Agreement constitutes the entire 

agreement and understanding between and among the undersigned Parties and supersedes any 

prior agreements or understandings concerning the matters set forth herein. This Agreement may 

not be amended or modified except by another written instrument signed by the Party or Parties to 

be bound thereby, or by their respective authorized attorney(s) or other representative(s). 

6 
(b)(6) 

(b)(6) 

C. Execution in Countemarts and Electronic Transmission. This Agreement may be 

executed in counterparts by one or more of the Parties named herein and all such counterparts 

when so executed shall together constitute the final Agreement, as if one document had been signed 

by all Parties hereto; and each such counterpart, upon execution and delivery, shall be deemed a 

complete original, binding the Party or Parties subscribed thereto upon the execution by all Parties 

to this Agreement. Delivery of any executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by 

electronic transmission shall be effective as deli very of a manually executed counterpart of this 

Agreement. 

D. Choice of Law. This Agreement shall be interpreted, construed and enforced 

according to applicable federal law, or in its absence, the laws of the State of Michigan. 

E. Reasonable Cooperation. The undersigned Parties agree to cooperate in good faith 

to effectuate all the terms and conditions of this Agreement. 

F. Notices. Any notices required hereunder shall be sent by registered mail, first class, 

return receipt requested, and by e-mail, to the following: 

If to the FDIC-R: 

Aaron M. Forester 

Counsel I Professional Liability Unit 

FDIC I Legal Division 

3501 Fairfax Drive. VS-B-7066 

Arlington, VA 22226 

••••••••••••••••••'-l•m-•••••••·--------1 

and 

Steven Jay Katzman 

Bienert, Miller & Katzman PLC 

903 Calle Amanecer 

Suite 350 

San Clemente. CA 92673 

····················IL-_ .. _____ ____. 

If to First American: 

7 
(b)(6) __ _ I 

Jeffrey A. Weber 

National Director of Claims, 

SVP, and Associate General Counsel 

First American Title Insurance Company 

I First American Way 

Building I -Third Floor 

Santa Ana, CA 92707 

and 

Jeffrey T. Heintz 

Brouse McDowell, LPA 

388 South Main Street, Suite 500 

Akron, OH 44311-4407 

(b)(6), ______ 1 1 

G. Titles and Captions. All section titles and captions contained in this Agreement are 

for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement. 

H. No Confidentiality. All Parties acknowledge that this Agreement shalt not be 

confidential and will be disclosed pursuant to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's 

applicable policies, procedures, and other legal requirements. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed 

by each of them or their duly authorized representatives on the dates hereinafter subscribed. 

FEDERAL DEPOSIT fNSURANCE CORPORATION 

AS RECEIVER FOR WASHINGTON MUTUAL 

BANK / 

(b)(6).................................... ............................ I .......... ~~ .... ...L ........ _ _ ........ __________ .....__ ___ _ 

DATE: 1::......~./_q---'-l_ iJ-_ TITLE: __ (_· _(j_....-J_~_(_, _ ___.;_P_\)...::;.,__;,;1:.....l._' -~ K __ 

PRINT NAME:~A_· .....l..... ,~ _~__,; _ _ \",;__o _f_l_-<f_~_'--' __ _ 

8 
FIRST AMERJCAN Tl LE INSURANCE 

COM~P~~----~----------~ (b)(6) ____________ ------4------

By: 

----~~------~------~-

TITLE: ~ ~ ,) \4-£.. ~ ~ ~f 

DATE: S~U,\"C. 'ZO~ PR!NTNAME_:,j~~ ""\I)~ 5,1}\) 

9 
EXHIBIT 

''A'' 
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN 

SOUTHERN DIVISION 

FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE 

CORPORATION AS RECEIVER FOR 

WASHINGTON MUTUAL BANK, 

Plaintiff, 

vs. 

Case No. 2: 14-cv-13624 

Hon. Gershwin Drain 

Magistrate Judge Mona K. Majzoub 

FIRST AMERICAN TITLE INSURANCE 

COMPANY, 

Defendant. ______________________________________________________ ./ 

Bienert, Miller & Katzman PLC Brouse McDowell, LPA 

Steven Jay Katzman John C. Fairweather 

Anne A. Uyeda Lisa S. DelGrosso 

903 Calle Amanecer, Ste. 350 388 South Main Street, Ste. 500 

San Clemente, CA 92673 Akron, OH 44311-4407 

(949) 369-3700 (330) 434-6439 

(b)(G),,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,! ................ ., ............................................ ., ........... .,................... ································!········· ·····································1~~········=--······ -~'=""""!:"'----=-------~ 

Counselfor Plaintiff Counsel for Defendant 

Clark Hill PLC 

David A. Breuch (P45368) 

151 S. Old Woodward Ave., Ste. 200 

Birmingham, MI 48009 

(313) 965-8467 

(b)(6) J ,. 

Co-Counselfor Plaint(fj' 

Brooks Wilkins Sharkey & Turco, PLLC 

Steven M. Ribiat (P45161) 

401 S. Old Woodward, Ste. 400 

Birmingham, MI 48009 

(248) 971-1718 

I ····································································! ............................................................................... Jt:>J('?.J 

Co-Counselfor Defendant 

______________________________________________________ ./ 

STIPULATED ORDER OF DISMISSAL 
Plaintiff Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as Receiver for Washington 

Mutual Bank ("FDIC-R'') and Defendant First American Title Insurance Company 

("First American" and, together with the FDIC-R, the "Parties") hereby advise the 

Court that they have settled the above-captioned matter, as evidenced by that 

cettain Settlement Agreement dated September 9, 20 15. 

The Parties hereby stipulate and agree to entry of the following: 

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT the above-captioned matter ts 

DISMISSED with prejudice and with each Party to bear its own costs as these 

were originally incurred. 

Date: ______ , 2015 

Is/ 

Clark Hill PLC 

David A. Breuch (P45368) 

151 S. Old Woodward Ave., Ste. 200 

Birmingham, MI 48009 

(313) 965-8467 

(b)(6) ................ 1 ... _ ......... .......... _ _____ ..... 

-andBienert, Miller & Katzman PLC 

Steven Jay Katzman 

Anne A. Uyeda 

903 Calle Amanecer, Ste. 350 

By: --------------

Hon. Gershwin A. Drain 

Is/ 

Brooks Wilkins Sharkey & Turco, PLLC 

Steven M. Ribiat (P45161) 

401 S. Old Woodward, Ste. 400 

Birmingham, MI 48009 

(248) 971-17] 8 

-andBrouse McDowell, LPA 

John C. Fairweather 

Lisa S. DelGrosso 

388 South Main Street, Ste. 500 
San Clemente, CA 926 73 

(949) 369-3700 

(b)(6)-ll----

Counsel for Plaintiff Federal Deposit 

Insurance Corporation as Receiver j(Jr 

Washington Mutual Bank 

Akron, OH 443 I 1-4407 

(330) 434-6439 

I - --+ __ _jQl@) 

2 

Counsel for Defendant First American 

Title Insurance Company