Marty co-founded KVS Title LLC with his partners David Kanstoroom and Claudia Vitale in 2010. He serves as the company’s CEO. Marty got his start in the real estate industry as a mortgage banker. After attending law school at night, Marty began his career with Ridgway and Griffin in Rockville, MD. Rising to the rank of partner and co-owner of the firm’s title company, Universal Settlements, LLC, he conducted thousands of settlements. His contribution to Universal was instrumental in the firm’s growth and eventual sale to First American Title Insurance Company, where Marty assumed the role of Regional Vice President and Mid-Atlantic Direct Operations Manager.

Marty is licensed to practice law in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia. He has been an active member of the Maryland Realtors®, the Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors®, and the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors®.

Marty enjoys being a real estate lawyer, focusing on conducting residential and commercial settlements while advising clients through the legal complexities involved in real estate. His philosophy is that a personalized, streamlined, and solution-oriented approach to business best serves the client's individual needs. He values successful, long-term relationships, which is why your best interests will receive his best efforts. That is the KVS commitment.

Marty lives in Silver Spring with his wife Beth, where they raised their family. He actually thinks working hard is fun and loves having a good problem to solve. When he is not working, he likes to spend time with his family, golf, and go to the beach.

Claudia has more than 14 years of legal experience. She began her career practicing family law with the Maryland Legal Aid Bureau. She later went on to join the largest family law firm in Maryland, where she handled complex domestic litigation cases involving support and property distribution issues. In 2005, Claudia decided to focus on real estate law exclusively. Since then, she has conducted thousands of real estate settlements.

Claudia is a member of the American Bar Association, Maryland Bar Association, and the Montgomery County Bar Association. She is a former member of the Montgomery County Maryland American Inn of Court.

Claudia received her B.S. from American University and her J.D. from Catholic University, Columbus School of Law. She is admitted to the Maryland State Bar, the District of Columbia Bar, and the U.S. Supreme Court Bar.

Claudia lives in NW DC with her two teenagers, and enjoys doing yoga and supporting great charities, like DC WISE, Inc. 

Melissa Giove Braul is a Senior Vice President and Settlement Attorney at KVS Title. She focuses on residential and commercial real estate transactions throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia, where she is known for her thorough, responsive, and solutions-oriented approach to guiding clients through both complex and routine closings. She is also known for building long-term relationships with agents, lenders, and clients through consistent communication and trusted guidance.

In addition to overseeing residential settlements, Melissa is an integral member of the firm’s commercial team, facilitating complex transactions and ensuring efficient, compliant closings. She also teaches contract classes for the Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors® (GCAAR), providing practical guidance on contract law and industry best practices.

Melissa is active in the real estate community and serves on DCAR’s DC Public Policy Board. She is also a member of DC CREW, where she contributes to the Philanthropy Committee and serves as co-liaison to the District Alliance for Safe Housing (DASH). She began her legal career in trial and appellate litigation before transitioning to real estate law, where she represented homeowners facing foreclosure and built a practice centered on client advocacy, education, and service.

Melissa earned her B.A. from Duke University and her J.D. from Washington & Lee University School of Law. She is licensed to practice in DC and Maryland. Outside the office, Melissa enjoys working out, following Duke basketball, and spending time with her children.

Carey has been a real estate title and settlement attorney in the Washington, DC area since 2012, and has worked in the title business throughout his entire professional career.

Over the years, he has conducted countless closings and has experience in every aspect of the title business, but what Carey enjoys more than anything is identifying and working through the wide-ranging and complex issues that arise relating to real estate transactions. As a Title Attorney working primarily "behind the scenes" at KVS, Carey loves thinking creatively and working with KVS staff, title insurance underwriters, and clients to ensure that the best possible outcomes and highest levels of service for our clients are achieved.

Carey grew up in Annapolis, Maryland and then attended Tulane University where he received his undergraduate degree in Business Management. He attended Tulane University Law School, graduating magna cum laude. The City of New Orleans will always have a special place in his heart.

Carey is admitted to practice law in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Texas.

In his free time, Carey likes to break a sweat (unrelated to work) every day, including running, weight training, cycling, and yoga. He is passionate about music and loves catching live music, discovering new bands, and putting together playlists for any occasion.

Noah is a third-generation Washingtonian and has been working in the local real estate industry since 2005. Noah began his legal career as an associate at Steptoe & Johnson, LLC, and then served as partner and in-house counsel for a small Maryland-based residential real estate construction and development company. His legal experience includes litigation, real estate zoning, and contract law.

Prior to joining KVS Title, Noah spent time as managing attorney of the Silver Spring office for a large title company. For the past three years, Noah has served on the GCAAR Forms Committee and also served on the GCAAR Public Policy Committee. He also teaches numerous legal classes to local real estate brokerages and organizations on the GCAAR Contract. As an attorney and Senior Vice President with KVS, Noah enjoys bringing all this experience to assist clients in navigating the complex and exciting journey of buying and selling homes.

Noah graduated from the American University Washington College of Law and earned his B.A. degree from the University of Michigan. He is licensed to practice law in both Maryland and the District of Columbia.

Noah now resides in Chevy Chase, MD, with his wife and two sons, and enjoys any opportunity to spend time with them, especially when it comes to participating in and watching just about any sport imaginable.

For the past 20+ years, Danny has focused his practice on real estate transactions. With 15,000+ settlements under his belt, he brings exceptional skill and experience to the settlement table. Prior to joining KVS Title, Danny was an owner and served as settlement attorney for Counselors Title in Gaithersburg, MD, and managing attorney of the Rockville Office for Universal Settlements. Over the years, Danny has taught hundreds of real estate continuing education courses to thousands of real estate professionals.

A native of Salisbury, MD, Danny graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1992. He earned his law degree from the University of Baltimore in 2001. Danny is a member of the bars of both Maryland and the District of Columbia.

Danny currently lives in Kensington, MD, with his wife, two boys, and a dog named Stanley. Danny is a fan of the ATP Tennis Tour and the Washington Capitals.

Andrew is an attorney and Senior Vice President at KVS Title. He has been in the title business since 2012 and has conducted countless settlements. He has experience reviewing sales contracts, curing title defects, and preparing legal documents for real estate transactions. Andrew is an active member of both the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors® (NVAR) and Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors® (GCAAR). He teaches a variety of continuing education classes to Realtors® in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Andrew has been a GCAAR instructor since 2016, having taught everything from contracts to legal updates. Andrew has served as Chair of the NVAR Standard Forms Committee and is a long-time member and former chair of the NVAR Attorney Roundtable.

He received a bachelor’s degree from Boston College, a J.D. degree from The Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law and is admitted to both the Virginia and District of Columbia bars.

Andrew is a lifelong Washingtonian, having grown up in Vienna, and attended Gonzaga College High School. Andrew now lives on Capitol Hill with his wife, two sons, and dogs.

When he is not coaching youth sports, he likes to travel, golf, and support DC sports teams.

Jen has been serving the DC Metro real estate community as an attorney for more than twenty-four years. Prior to joining KVS Title, she conducted thousands of real estate closings as a Managing Attorney for a large area title company.

Jen loves the challenges of being a part of the Title Attorney Team and devising creative solutions to title issues.

Jen received her B.A. from Towson University and her J.D. from Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law. She is admitted to practice law in Maryland and the District of Columbia and is a member of both Bar Associations. She is a licensed title insurance producer in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia.

A resident of Richmond, VA, Jen spends her spare time with her rescue dogs, indoor rowing, hiking, reading, and trying new restaurants.

Laura is a proud Washingtonian who grew up in the AU Park neighborhood of DC before joining the esteemed ranks of Sidwell Friends School graduates. Laura’s journey took her south to College Station, Texas, where she earned a B.S. in Biology from Texas A&M University. She returned home to receive her J.D. from George Washington University Law School, and she is admitted to practice law in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.

Laura began her career practicing family law litigation in Northern Virginia prior to making a shift to the title industry, demonstrating broad flexibility and knowledge of the legal spectrum on which colleagues and clients alike have come to rely. Laura is involved in many layers of settlement, making her an excellent resource for subject matters including DC’s First Time Homebuyer and Tax Abatement qualification, escalation clause calculations, Maryland TOPA compliance, and any manner of document preparation and review. She’s a familiar presence in teaching KVS’s Deep Dive classes, hosting lunch & learns, and of course at the settlement table itself. Laura also serves on committees for the Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors® and the Maryland Land Title Association. Her ability to pick up any assignment, known or unknown, and see it through to a resolution is what makes her a great asset to so many.

Laura now lives in Bethesda, Maryland with her husband, their three children, and their dog. In her free time, Laura enjoys spending time with her family at the beach in Lewes, Delaware.

With more than a decade of experience in the real estate title industry, Lily has guided thousands of buyers and sellers through real estate closings across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Known for her calm demeanor and thoroughness at the settlement table, Lily focuses on creating a smooth, efficient, and enjoyable settlement experience. She especially enjoys working with first-time homebuyers, taking extra time at the closing table to answer questions, and ensuring they feel informed and comfortable every step of the way. Lily also serves as a resource to sellers and real estate agents navigating the DC TOPA process.

Before joining KVS Title, Lily gained experience at a Maryland general practice law firm, where her work included construction, real estate, landlord-tenant, and probate law matters.

Lily earned both her B.A. and J.D. from the University of Virginia and is licensed to practice law in Maryland and the District of Columbia.

Outside of work, Lily enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, biking, baking, and discovering new restaurants.

As a settlement attorney with 15 years of experience in the business, Joe has performed thousands of closings and taught numerous continuing education classes to Realtors® in the DMV area and throughout the state of Maryland. Joe is a member of the Forms Committee for the Maryland Association of Realtors®. Prior to his real estate career, he clerked in Circuit Court in Frederick County and later worked at a litigation firm in Annapolis.

Originally from New Jersey, Joe has been in the DC area since graduating from Catholic University as an undergrad in 2001, later earning his law degree from Catholic in 2008. He is admitted to practice in Maryland, DC, and Virginia.

Joe lives in Rockville with his wife and two children and can usually be found at one of their many practices or games.

Charles has been practicing real estate law since 2015. Prior to joining KVS, he oversaw and conducted hundreds of real estate closings at a prominent area title company. His closings have taken him throughout the area, from Shenandoah to the Eastern Shore, and everywhere in between. His experience has also included resolving underwriting issues, preparing legal documents, mediating contract disputes, and consulting companies and churches on real estate issues. Charles also serves as a real estate instructor and creator of continuing educational real estate classes for Realtors® in Virginia, DC, and Maryland. He has served for several years on various committees at the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors®.

Charles earned his J.D. from the American University Washington College of Law and earned his B.A. degree from the University of California, Berkeley. Charles is licensed to practice law in Virginia.

Charles lives in Fairfax with his wife and kids. In his spare time, Charles trades derivatives and is trying to visit all the US National Parks. He is also hooked on bubble tea.

Brendan gravitated towards the real estate title business shortly after law school, accruing over a decade of both commercial and residential settlements since then. After learning the ropes on national, multi-state commercial deals, he transitioned primarily to conducting residential closings across DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

Born and raised in Rockville, MD, Brendan graduated from nearby Sandy Spring Friends School. He earned a degree in English from the College of Wooster and then studied at Syracuse University College of Law. Upon graduating, he returned home to become a member of the Maryland State Bar.

You’re likely to find Brendan most often at the settlement table, both in-person and virtual, for transactions across all areas of the DMV. Brendan proudly serves in the burgeoning KVS Commercial Department, on committees with the Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors®, and as a go-to resource for Maryland nonresident withholding matters. He also assists clients with matters pertaining to property surveys, electronic signings, and commercial settlements.

When not in settlement you can find him with family and friends, lounging with his English bulldog and pit bull, or shouting at the DC sports teams he loves so dearly.

Since joining KVS Title in 2013, Gina has worked on countless real estate transactions resolving complex title clearance issues. She is a natural problem-solver and has broad knowledge of title underwriting in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Gina works closely with underwriting counsel to develop practical solutions that enable smooth and successful closings. She also has significant expertise in the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA).

Currently, Gina serves on the Board of the District of Columbia Land Title Association and is a member of its Policy Committee. She earned her J.D. from American University Washington College of Law and her B.A. from Fordham University. Additionally, she holds an M.A. in the History of Decorative Arts from the Corcoran College of Art + Design. Gina is admitted to practice law in DC, Maryland, and New York.

Residing in D.C. with her husband and feisty rescue pup, Gina enjoys spending time with friends and exploring new hobbies in her spare time.

Dave has been working in title insurance and the real estate industry for nearly twenty-five years. He began his legal career with a national title insurer and then moved to the agency side, where he conducted thousands of real estate settlements in both the residential and commercial realm. Dave came to KVS Title in 2012 to become the first fully dedicated title attorney at the company, handling all aspects of the title/survey review and clearance and working with underwriters to resolve title issues and insure every transaction. He now focuses on commercial real estate settlements as the lead attorney on the commercial team. He is heavily involved in the day-to-day operations of the commercial department, seeing each file through from contract to closing.

Dave received his law degree from Roger Williams University School of Law in Bristol, Rhode Island. He is licensed to practice law in Maryland, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, and he is a licensed title agent in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia. He is a member of the Maryland and District of Columbia Bar Associations.

When not at work, Dave is usually found spending time with family and friends, hiking, swimming and now rock climbing.

Michelle Smith is a settlement attorney with substantial ties to the DC, Maryland, and Virginia real estate industry. A northern Virginia native, Michelle is fortunate to have seen the market through several different lenses: as a Virginia Realtor, as a litigation counsel for real estate matters, and as a settlement attorney conducting closings throughout the DMV area.

Michelle received a B.S. from James Madison University in 2002 and a J.D. cum laude from Syracuse University College of Law in 2007. Michelle is admitted to the Virginia Bar, is a member of the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors®, and serves as an active member of the NVAR Attorney Roundtable. Prior to becoming a settlement attorney, Michelle worked as a civil litigation attorney, where she defended an array of cases involving real estate law and complex title issues.

Michelle’s practice includes conducting settlements, analyzing and preparing contracts and legal documents, creating and teaching classes to brokerages on a wide variety of real estate topics, and assisting agents and clients navigate the intricate issues that can arise during the closing process.

When not conducting settlements, Michelle can be found at her kids’ baseball games or rooting for her favorite Washington DC sports teams.

Liz advises commercial and residential real estate clients on transactions across Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Her practice focuses on multifamily acquisitions and Washington, DC TOPA compliance. She has particular experience navigating issues unique to complex urban real estate deals and approaches transactions with a practical, problem-solving mindset and a focus on building trusted, long-term client partnerships.

Before joining KVS, Liz practiced complex commercial litigation and was part of a legal team that helped shape the national framework for residential mortgage-backed securities litigation. She also served as Editor-in-Chief of a private capital publication.

Liz is originally from Akron, Ohio. She earned her B.A. from Harvard University and her J.D. from Columbia Law School. She is admitted to practice in New York and the District of Columbia and resides in Washington, DC.

Dan Watson is Senior Vice President and has practiced real estate law in the DMV for more than fourteen years. He advises buyers, sellers, lenders, developers, investors, and real estate professionals on a wide range of residential real estate matters throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.

In addition to overseeing thousands of real estate settlements, Dan plays an active role in the growth and strategic direction of KVS Title. He works closely with the company's operations, technology, and business development teams to enhance the client experience, improve efficiency, and develop innovative solutions for real estate professionals and consumers.

Dan is admitted to practice law in the District of Columbia and Virginia.

Jodie grew up in Nebraska and moved to the DC metro area to pursue a career in politics. She spent several years working in the political arena as the Vice President of a political consulting and government relations firm. With the encouragement of friends in the real estate and lending fields, Jodie decided to make a shift in careers and join the title industry. Jodie has been in the title business for 10 years, overseeing and conducting countless settlements. At KVS, she now enjoys focusing on identifying and resolving title issues.

Jodie received her B.S. in Political Science from Nebraska Wesleyan University and her J.D. from Creighton University School of Law. She is licensed to practice law in the state of Nebraska and is a licensed settlement agent in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

Outside of the office, Jodie’s world revolves around her family and the many activities of her children. She loves watching them compete and excel in their various sports. Jodie grew up riding and showing horses and enjoys sharing this passion with her family too.

Semmes Evans Zazzara is an experienced real estate settlement attorney who began conducting closings in early 2002.  She graduated from Tulane Law School in New Orleans, Louisiana, as President of her graduating class and has been a member of the District of Columbia Bar since 1991.  Semmes focuses on real estate settlements in Virginia, Maryland and DC and works closely with real estate agents, loan officers and clients to ensure smooth, problem-free closings. 

Semmes served as branch manager of a large title company where she was liaison with the company’s corporate office and where she oversaw the productivity of the office, while managing a team of over twenty people.  

Semmes raised two boys in Arlington and has been heavily involved in the PTA and fund-raising for Arlington Public Schools.   She was also involved in the Arlington County Parks & Recreation Department as team manager for boys’ lacrosse and baseball teams for eight years.

In her spare time Semmes writes for The Zebra, an Alexandria monthly paper that reports all good news and local interest stories.

Ashley has been working in the real estate industry for more than 12 years. She was a licensed real estate assistant for 6 years before moving over to the title side of the business.

While there she gained extensive knowledge of the title business and became a licensed title agent. Before joining KVS, she was running the back office for a boutique brokerage.

Having been a licensed agent, Ashley knows what is most important to clients and she loves helping them at KVS Title.

Originally from Michigan, Ashley has called Arlington home for 13 years and graduated from Marymount University with a degree in business and marketing. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, attending concerts, and traveling. 

Jenny is our Director of Director of Sales and Marketing and has 10 years of experience in the title industry. She was born in Arlington, VA, and seems to know everyone who lives and works there. In fact, she makes it her business to do so, because she values relationships and knows how much they matter.

Jenny prides herself on finding out what a client wants, and then seeing to it that KVS delivers. And as her clients can attest, she will not be outworked when pursuing the client's objective.

As a native Arlingtonian and graduate of Georgetown University, Jenny prides herself on doing her share for local community and charitable causes. Her favorite hobbies are hiking with her husband, cheering on her son’s baseball team, shopping with her daughter, and people watching with her dog, Grover. Give her a call and get to know her. She will be happy to hear from you.

Anastasia Bonneau is a relationship-driven professional with a strong background in the title and the real estate industry. Born in Madrid, raised in Venezuela, and of French heritage, she is trilingual in Spanish, French, and English. After studying Business at the University of Santa María in Caracas, she moved to the United States and built a successful career supporting real estate professionals and their clients through the settlement process.

Her experience spans bilingual closings, title office management, and collaboration with top-producing agents. Anastasia is thrilled to bring these skills to KVS Title, where she delivers white-glove, bilingual service tailored to the needs of her clients. She prides herself on efficiency, clear communication, and a seamless settlement experience for every client.

Anastasia lives in Alexandria, VA, with her husband and three daughters. Outside of work, she enjoys exercising, traveling the world, and cherishes family time. She is proud to bring her multicultural perspective, service-oriented mindset, and deep industry knowledge to her role in business development and settlements at KVS Title.

Having always had a love for people, places, and spaces, Emily England came to KVS Title from the world of property management where she was the Director of Business Development for a Washington DC-based company. There was no problem to difficult or issue to complicated to solve, and she brought that tenacity to KVS Title where she is eager to help Agents with their transactions.

As an Account Executive at KVS, Emily is a trusted resource for Agents, providing strategic solutions and guidance whenever challenges arise. Emily collaborates with her exceptional team to ensure that Agents have the support and tools they need to drive client success and help their businesses thrive.

Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Emily attended Bentley University, a business school in Boston where she fell in love with America, and her now-husband. She has lived in Washington, D.C. for over a decade and can be found exploring DC's wonderful restaurant scene, sipping a glass of fine wine (she also previously worked in PR in the wine industry), or going on local adventures with her husband and young son.

After working for nearly ten years as a licensed assistant, Colleen's transition to KVS Title was a natural one. She has worked directly with several top producing agents, in that time becoming familiar with the regional contracts, learning the process buying and selling inside and out, acclimating to the pace of the market, and building her network of resources.

As an Account Executive at KVS, Colleen leverages her background knowledge and the firm’s extensive resources to address client needs and provide tailored solutions. Her goal is to help agents succeed and their businesses thrive by delivering exceptional service and support.

Colleen grew up in Northern Virginia and graduated from James Madison University with a degree in Public Relations. She currently lives in McLean, VA with her young daughter and spends her free time with family and friends enjoying all the sights and sounds this region has to offer.

Peter Parente joined KVS with more than a decade of experience in the Title industry. As an Account Executive, he partners with real estate professionals across the Washington, D.C. Metro area to help them grow their businesses with confidence—offering strategic guidance, creative marketing ideas, and dependable support every step of the way.

Known for his genuine approach to relationship-building, Peter has helped countless agents strengthen their foundations and achieve sustainable growth. His leadership and commitment to excellence earned him recognition as the 2023 GCAAR Affiliate of the Year, and he is nationally recognized for his contributions to the real estate community.

Originally from Rhode Island, Peter grew up in the real estate world, working at his family’s title company before building his career in the nation’s capital. A graduate of Hobart and William Smith Colleges, he’s also a former small-business owner who brings a broad, global perspective to everything he does, having lived abroad for several years. Peter has proudly served as President of the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance DC Chapter and Co-Chair of GCAAR’s Young Professionals Network.

Andrew has been in the Title industry since 2016 and has worked in Business Development since graduating college. He is passionate about his client's needs and believes in making a difference in their business. He prides himself on his responsive and problem-solving nature given the lightening-quick real estate industry. If he does not know the solution to a problem, Andrew will do anything he can to find it. Andrew is a licensed settlement agent, which helps him be an even better resource to his clients.

Andrew grew up in Pennslyvania before he attended James Madison University and ultimately moved to the DMV in 2014. In his spare time he enjoys hiking, traveling (domestically and abroad), camping, movies, and spending time with his wife and young son.

At KVS Title, Kora serves as an Account Executive dedicated to helping real estate professionals feel confident and well-equipped to navigate today’s ever-changing market. After beginning a successful career as a licensed agent in 2020, Kora developed a strong partnership with KVS and an appreciation for the value a great title partner brings to every transaction. That experience inspired her to join KVS, where she now uses her first-hand knowledge of the agent experience to provide support, strategic insight, and valuable resources to the agents she works with.

Kora believes in the power of meaningful relationships and understands how collaboration drives success in real estate. She combines that perspective with KVS’s extensive legal expertise to deliver exceptional service and ensure every transaction is handled by a trusted, knowledgeable team.

Outside of work, Kora enjoys exploring Baltimore’s vibrant restaurant scene, traveling with her husband, and spending time with family and friends.