8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported) August 25, 2009

THE FIRST AMERICAN CORPORATION

(Exact Name of the Registrant as Specified in Charter)

California	001-13585	95-1068610
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

1 First American Way, Santa Ana, California	92707-5913
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (714) 250-3000

Not Applicable.

(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 Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Pursuant to the Support Agreement, dated April 10, 2008, among The First American Corporation (the “Company”), Highfields Capital Management LP, Highfields GP LLC, Highfields Associates LLC, Highfields Capital I L.P., Highfields Capital II L.P., and Highfields Capital III L.P. (the “Support Agreement”), on August 25, 2009, Matthew B. Botein was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Company to fill the vacancy created by the recent retirement of Patrick F. Stone. The Support Agreement is discussed in further detail in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 10, 2008. As required by the Support Agreement, Mr. Botein will serve on the Executive Committee of the Board. A copy of the press release announcing the appointment is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

In addition, on August 25, 2009, the Company’s Compensation Committee revised the relocation arrangement with Anthony S. Piszel, chief financial officer and treasurer, to increase the reimbursable expense amount by $100,000 and allow for reimbursements to be made until the entire amount has been fully utilized. The category of reimbursable expenses was modified to include expenses associated with residences from which he relocated in connection with the commencement of his employment with the Company. In the event Mr. Piszel voluntarily resigns on or prior to the earlier of June 30, 2010 and the date on which the spin-off transaction announced by the Company in January 2008 is consummated, the Company will be entitled to recover any utilized portion of the $100,000 increase in the relocation expense allowance.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press Release.

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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: August 28, 2009	By:	/s/ Kenneth D. DeGiorgio
	Name:	Kenneth D. DeGiorgio
	Title:	Senior Vice President, General Counsel

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EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

THE FIRST AMERICAN CORPORATION ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT

OF MATTHEW B. BOTEIN TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SANTA ANA, Calif., Aug. 26, 2009 – The First American Corporation (NYSE: FAF), America’s largest provider of business information, announced today that Matthew B. Botein has been appointed to the company’s board of directors.

Botein, who is chairman of Botein & Company, LLC, a private investment firm, served until June 2009 as a managing director for Highfields Capital Management LP, First American’s largest unaffiliated shareholder. At Highfields he managed portfolio investments in the financial services industry and certain private equity investments of the firm. Prior to joining Highfields, he was a principal in the Private Equity Group at The Blackstone Group.

“We’re honored to have Matt join our board,” said Parker S. Kennedy, chairman and chief executive officer of The First American Corporation. “We welcome his insights into our business, especially with respect to the many information products we offer to the investment community.”

Botein also serves as the vice chairman of mortgage investment firm Private National Mortgage Acceptance Company LLC (“PennyMac”) and is a member of the boards of directors of Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited (NYSE: AHL), a specialty insurance and reinsurance company; PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust (NYSE: PMT); Cyrus Reinsurance Holdings Limited, a reinsurance company; and Integro Limited, an insurance and reinsurance broker.

Botein joins the board pursuant to an agreement entered into between the company and Highfields.

About First American

The First American Corporation (NYSE: FAF) is a FORTUNE 500^® company that traces its history to 1889. With revenues of approximately $6.2 billion in 2008, it is America’s largest provider of business information. First American combines advanced analytics with its vast data resources to supply businesses and consumers with valuable information products to support the major economic events of people’s lives, such as getting a job, renting an apartment, buying a car or house, securing a mortgage and opening or buying a business. The First American Family of Companies, many of which command leading market share positions in their respective industries, operate within five primary business segments, including: Title Insurance and Services, Specialty

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First American Announces Appointment of Matthew B. Botein to Board of Directors

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Insurance, Information and Outsourcing Solutions, Data and Analytic Solutions, and Risk Mitigation and Business Solutions. More information about the company and an archive of its press releases can be found at www.firstam.com.

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Media Contact:   Carrie Gaska Corporate Communications The First American Corporation (714) 250-3298 • cgaska@firstam.com Investor Contact:   Mark Seaton Investor Relations The First American Corporation (714) 250-4264 • mseaton@firstam.com