UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
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FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(D) of the
Securities Exchange Act Of 1934
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Date of report (Date of earliest event reported) October 6, 2004
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THE FIRST AMERICAN CORPORATION
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(Exact Name of the Registrant as Specified in Charter)
California 0-3658 95-1068610
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(State or Other Jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of Incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
1 First American Way, Santa Ana, California 92707-5913
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (714) 800-3000
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Not Applicable.
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(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:
|_| Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
(17 CFR 230.425)
|_| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17
CFR 240.14a-12)
|_| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
|_| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors;
Appointment of Principal Officers
On October 6, 2004, The First American Corporation (the "Company")
announced that its board of directors voted to promote Craig I. DeRoy to
president of the Company, effective October 1, 2004. Mr. DeRoy assumes the role
formerly held by Parker S. Kennedy, who will continue as chairman and chief
executive officer of the Company.
Mr. DeRoy, 51, most recently served as senior executive vice president of
the Company, a position he held since in 2002, and served as its general counsel
from 1993 to 2004. He was also executive vice president of the Company from 1996
to 2002, and served as its vice president from 1993 to 1996. He served as vice
president of First American Title Insurance Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary
of the Company, from 1993 to 2004. From 1993 to 1998, he also served as general
counsel of First American Title Insurance Company. Mr. DeRoy has been a director
of First American Title Insurance Company since 2001.
A press release announcing the promotion and further describing Mr.
DeRoy's business experience is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by
reference into this current report.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
Exhibit No. Description
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99.1 Press Release.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
THE FIRST AMERICAN CORPORATION
Date: October 6, 2004 By: /s/ Thomas A. Klemens
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Name: Thomas A. Klemens
Title: Senior Executive Vice
President and Chief
Financial Officer