Laura LaRaia is a force to be reckoned with as chief legal officer and general counsel at First Guaranty Mortgage Corp.
Most recently, LaRaia was instrumental in providing counsel to the firm as it sought to navigate through the COVID-19 crisis. She worked tirelessly to delve into the components of the CARES Act that affect mortgage lending, investigated the implications of the legislation and provided legal and risk guidance to FGMC’s leadership teams. She spent her time during the first months of COVID-19 advocating with the Mortgage Bankers Association and investors through the Mortgage Action Alliance. LaRaia also assisted her teams in rolling out the plan for implementation of the revised Uniform Residential Loan Application and oversaw the completion of multiple successful state and agency audits for her firm. With over 20 years in the industry, LaRaia serves as a member of several MBA committees, including the MBA state legislative and regulatory committee, MBA litigation task force, and as both an advocate for and a member of the MBA’s Mortgage Action Alliance. LaRaia is also involved in mPower, NEXT, and volunteered with Interfaith Housing Coalition and Jesuit Volunteer Corps, as well as Habitat for Humanity. She lives by the philosophy that she would never ask any of her team members to do something she wouldn’t do herself.