Richard T. Rodgers, Jr. (known as “Chip”) is a native North Carolinian who maintains his home in Wilmington, NC, with roots across the “Old North State.” He began his career in 2002, focusing on litigation while co-founding a title insurance agency (Blackacre Title Agency, LLC). Serving as title counsel for Blackacre until its sale in 2014 (recently acquired by LM Title Agency, LLC), he worked with dozens of attorneys across the State to seek solutions to the unique title problems unveiled in their closings. Immediately before the sale of Blackacre, Chip (also the co-owner of Sherman and Rodgers, PLLC) entered into a contract with Pender County to handle all tax foreclosures for the County, who he continues to represent today.

Such work is extremely intensive from a title and litigation perspective. United States and North Carolina government agencies, mortgage lenders, unknown parties, minors and incompetents, personal representatives, and guardians at litem are frequent defendants. The procedural issues regarding lawsuits against these parties are sufficiently complex that experienced litigators and title attorneys frequently call upon Chip to assist in ‘title clearing’ matters to prepare the real property for sale. In addition, since November 2016, Chip has served as the Public Guardian for Pender County, where he has wrestled with the challenge of guiding property sales on behalf of an incompetent adult through the Courts.

Chip focuses on providing statewide services related to petitions for the sale of real property. Before the Clerks of Court and Superior Court, as applicable. Chip can offer flat rates for all matters that can be handled by Consent and can provide expedited services for an additional fee. It is very, very important that the litigation aspect of these matters is dealt with, with care and competence. All too frequently, Chip is approached by an attorney who may be able to present an Order of Sale, because the procedural matters were not followed to the letter, subsequent title attorneys and title insurance companies will refuse to ‘certify title’, which sends the matter back into litigation.