TRADING THE BILLABLE HOUR
for the Common Goal of the Closing Table
JENNIFER FOX
From Litigator to In House Counsel
Photo courtesy of Travis Marshall Photography
TRADING THE BILLABLE HOUR
JENNIFER FOX
From Litigator to In House Counsel for the Common Goal of the Closing Table
Photo courtesy of Travis Marshall Photography
TRANSITIONING FROM a high-stakes litigation career to the entrepreneurial side of real estate is no small feat, but for Jennifer Fox, it was a move defined by growth, family, and a new kind of professional fulfillment.
After years of navigating the emotional complexities of family law, Fox’s career took an unexpected turn. While she reached the pinnacle of traditional practice by making partner at Blades & Rosenfeld, P.A. in 2020, a shifting perspective on work-life harmony led her to join the family business. Today, as an owner and settlement attorney at TS Executive Abstract Maryland Title in Lutherville, Fox has traded the billable hour for the common goal of the closing table. You can learn more about Fox and her career transition below.
Why did you enter the legal profession?
I was a psychology major at Virginia Tech and unsure of the exact next step I should take, so I applied to law school, as I knew this would open up so many doors for me. After attending law school at the University of Maryland, I was thrilled at the prospect of becoming a litigator, particularly in family law.
What is your fondest memory of your legal career so far?
My first job after law school was clerking for the Honorable Emory A. Plitt at the Circuit Court for Harford County. I always say it was the best job I ever had. Judge Plitt was a brilliant and kind wealth of knowledge, and it was fascinating to hear his take on the cases we were trying behind the scenes.
How would you describe your career in three words? Unexpected, collaborative, and meaningful.
What are some accomplishments you've achieved during your career?
I was recognized as a Leading Woman by the Daily Record in 2019, as well as a Rising Star among Maryland Super Lawyers on multiple occasions. I was thrilled to make partner in January 2020 at the last firm I worked at, Blades & Rosenfeld, P.A., as I joined a brilliant, hard-working group of professionals. I was given the Best Real Estate Attorney award by Baltimore Style Magazine in 2024.
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Two things can be true— we can be grateful for where we have been, but also there can be something bigger and better out there for us. You don’t know unless you try!
What makes you unique in your profession?
I am the owner of our title company, yet still involved in every file that comes our way in a very hands-on way. I bring with me years of knowledge trying family law, real estate, and civil matters, and it has come in handy on pretty much a daily basis in closing real estate transactions.
What do you enjoy most about your career?
I love the people we work with every day. It has been very refreshing to all be working together toward a common goal after years of quite the opposite.
What does a day at work look like for you?
I run the day-to-day at our Greenspring Station office. We host real estate closings in our office, as well as around the state of Maryland. If I am not conducting a closing in or out of the office, I am working on reviewing titles, contracts, and/or speaking to clients multiple times a day.
What are your goals for yourself in this role?
I would love to continue to grow in the Maryland market and to challenge myself to step out of the minutiae of the day-to-day to oversee the operation in a more global fashion.
What are some of the challenges you face in your current role?
The clients in the title industry have deep-rooted relationships with their trusted title companies, and so we work very hard for them to give “the new girl in town” a shot and to show them the level of professionalism we can offer to them.
“ I have relied on the MSBA more in my less traditional legal career than when I was a litigator. I utilized the online resources and learned so much from the Real Property Section as I navigated my new day-to-day.
What advice do you have for other MSBA members who are seeking a career transition?
As I tell my kids, two things can be true—we can be grateful for where we have been, but also there can be something bigger and better out there for us. You don’t know unless you try!
Was there a specific moment when you realized your prior path no longer aligned with your goals, or was it a gradual shift over time?
As my children grew up, the way in which they needed me changed as well, and I knew that working with my family business would afford me the opportunity to work around my children’s schedules, even if I am working twice as hard.
What was the most difficult habit or mindset from your "old" career that you had to unlearn to be successful in your new role?
Billing my time! It took me months to get used to just doing my job, without keeping track of it!
Despite the change in industry or role, what core value or skill has remained constant throughout your entire professional life?
Honesty and trustworthiness. It has been so important to grow in my career, and how our family business has been so successful—we can be trusted.
How has the MSBA helped you in your legal career?
What is most interesting is that I have relied on the MSBA more in my less traditional legal career than when I was a litigator. I utilized the online resources and learned so much from the Real Property Section as I navigated my new day-to-day. Not to mention the Maryland Lawyers’ Manual has come in handy on many occasions when trying to track down legal counsel for national banks involved in our foreclosure matters!
How do you spend your free time?
I spend my free time running my three kids around from school to sports and everywhere in between, and there is nowhere I would rather be. I enjoy exercising, and we love visiting our favorite beach, Sea Isle City.
Who is someone you admire, and why?
I admire my mom and brother, who paved the way for me to join our family title company. My mom started the company on a real leap of faith when I was in middle school. My brother also left his traditional day job to join the company and has gotten us where we are today.
