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During his session at the 2026 National Settlement Services Summit (NS3) in Kansas City, Mo., educator and consultant Matt Lee spared no details as he broke down how he would go about infiltrating a title agency and holding its data for ransom. Along the way, Lee, who serves as security and compliance senior director at Pax8, shared preventative tips and his philosophy on why cyber defenders should also know how to go on offense.

In a bill enacted on May 19, lawmakers in Tennessee implemented amendments to the state’s Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Act, including renaming the law the Tennessee Reverse Mortgage Innovation Act, redefining “reverse mortgage” and more.

Legislators in Rhode Island are considering a bill that would clarify the roles involved in real estate transactions, including those who list, sell, purchase, exchange, rent, lease or auction real estate for a fee. The bill also sets standards for individuals who advertise these services or help others in real estate transactions for profit.

Environmental and construction consulting firm Partner Engineering and Science, Inc. has released the latest iteration of its land title survey guide, a resource designed to help commercial real estate professionals understand and apply the latest industry standards.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr. announced on May 28 the indictment of 18 individuals and three companies, all accused of conspiring to steal a home deed and fraudulently obtaining a mortgage and construction loan totaling $1,636,000.

After his suit against an insurance agency and title company was stopped by summary judgement in a trial court, one property buyer appealed while representing himself. The appeals court then had to determine whether the trial court was right to deny the man’s punitive damages claims.

A bill to prohibit foreign adversaries from acquiring land interests near military installations was approved by the Louisiana state legislature on June 1 and is pending signature by Gov. Jeff Landry.

Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order on May 21 directing California businesses and government agencies to prepare workers, small businesses, and communities for the economic disruption that artificial intelligence is expected to bring to the workforce.

A financial services company that overcharged Minnesotans for equity transactions over a period of five years is being compelled by the Minnesota Department of Commerce to pay restitution of more than $242,000 to thousands of customers.

A Manhattan-based real estate attorney was charged on May 28 for stealing approximately $700,000 from three of her clients after being retained as a seller’s attorney in three separate real estate closings last year.