For more than three decades, Benjamin M. Soto has dedicated his career to the legal, financial, and operational aspects of real estate transactions and development. As a real estate attorney licensed in the District of Columbia and Pennsylvania, he has built businesses that support property owners, lenders, developers, and investors throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. His work combines legal knowledge with practical experience in title services, commercial development, and corporate leadership.
Soto is the founder and owner of Premium Title & Escrow, LLC, a title and settlement company established in 2000. The firm provides residential and commercial closing services throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, and Tennessee. Its services include conducting title examinations, issuing owner’s and lender’s title insurance policies, managing escrow accounts, coordinating settlement documentation, and recording transactions with the appropriate land records offices. Working alongside an experienced team, Soto has helped guide thousands of real estate transactions while emphasizing accuracy and clear communication throughout the closing process.
Beyond title services, Soto leads Paramount Development, LLC, a company focused on commercial real estate acquisition and development in Washington, D.C. Through Paramount Development, he has been involved in projects that include mixed-use properties, apartment buildings, hotels, and developments connected with The Wharf. Among these projects are the mixed-use building at 555 E Street, SW, and the Hyatt Place Hotel at 400 E Street, SW, which also incorporates a modern fire station serving the surrounding community.
Throughout his career, Soto has remained engaged in organizations that support business, education, and economic development. He serves on the Board of Directors of EagleBank and has contributed his experience to the DC Chamber of Commerce, the DC Public Education Fund, and the American University Real Estate Council. His previous leadership roles include service with the Board of Real Property Assessment and Appeals, the National Bar Association, Georgetown Day School, and the DC Sports & Entertainment Commission.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I am in the office by 8am, and I typically leave around 7pm. I try to manage the many phone calls and emails I receive while reading and responding to documents.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Research and development.
What’s one trend that excites you?
AI.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I read a lot of industry publications and business periodicals.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Continue to work hard and network a lot with people in the industry.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
Money does not bring happiness.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Prepare for everything as early as possible.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Read a good book, watch a good movie, go to dinner with family and friends and go to church.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Networking and getting to work early.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I had a comptroller who fraudulently stole money from our escrow account. I fortunately had a commercial building that I liquidated in order to cover the losses.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Open a restaurant bar with great food, ambiance, and live music.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
ChatOn AI.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?/
Dinner at a casual restaurant that just opened in our neighborhood.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
Principals by Ray Dalio. Great advice on decision-making, management and achieving goals.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
The Lincoln Lawyer, because I love legal dramas.
Key learnings
- Surround yourself with winners
- Become spirited in solving problems.
- Always ask the question of whether you are customer-friendly enough.
- Get in the skin of people so that they are anxious to prove you wrong.
- Get a kick out of people who succeed.
- You must have a passion for winning.
- Ask successful people questions. They typically like to talk about their successes and how they got there.