Our Instructors & Staff
Jacob Lawlor
Career Director
Since the Great Recession, Jacob Lawlor has dedicated himself to the Real Estate industry. With over a decade of Real Estate sales experience and more than 5 years of Real Estate management experience, Jacob has virtually seen it all and done it all. He knows what works in today’s market and how to troubleshoot problems before they even arise.
Jacob prides himself on his expertise in effective marketing, strong negotiation, and his unmatched commitment to customer service excellence.
In addition to his work as an agent and manager, Jacob also serves as a Career Director, helping students take the next steps from education to professional success. He works closely with the school to guide aspiring agents through the licensing process and connect them with a wide range of career opportunities in the industry.
He is dedicated to the success of his clients and future real estate professionals and it shows.
Jim Forde
Instructor
Jim Forde is a licensed real estate broker and experienced instructor for the state of California. He teaches the required courses that prepare aspiring real estate professionals to earn their license and begin successful careers in the industry.
In addition to his instructional role with ApprovedRealEstateAcademy.com, Jim brings a wealth of real-world experience to the classroom. He has served as a member and chair of various professional development committees with the California Association of REALTORS®, contributing to the advancement of industry standards and agent education across the state.
Known for his engaging teaching style, Jim works hard to understand the student perspective, ensuring that questions are fully answered and complex concepts are clearly explained. He stays up to date on all relevant legal and regulatory changes affecting California real estate, providing students with the most accurate and current information available.
Jim is committed to helping his students get the most out of their education and supporting them on their path to becoming confident, knowledgeable, and successful real estate professionals.
Brad Coleman
Instructor
Brad Coleman is a distinguished real estate professional with over 25 years of experience navigating the dynamic Orange County market. As the former owner of a luxury real estate brokerage, Brad has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep understanding of high-end property transactions.
Throughout his career, Brad has personally assisted hundreds of clients in buying and selling homes across various market conditions. His dedication to client interests is unwavering, ensuring protection and guidance from consultation to closing.
Beyond client representation, Brad has spent over a decade coaching top real estate agents globally, leading seminars, and serving as an expert witness in complex real estate disputes.
Brad’s commitment to excellence is reflected in glowing client testimonials:
- “Brad is without question the finest, most knowledgeable, most thorough, thoughtful, persistent, caring, and honorable real estate agent with whom I’ve ever had the good fortune to work.”
- “Brad is one of the most honest and hard-working realtors I’ve worked with. Straight to the point and lets you know right away if your purchase is worth your while.”
His dedication extends beyond real estate. Brad’s six years of service in the United States Marine Corps honed his leadership skills, which he now channels into community service. He has been honored with the President of the United States Volunteer Service Award and the National Association of Realtors’ Good Neighbor Award for his philanthropic efforts.
Brad leverages cutting-edge, AI-driven marketing tools to facilitate swift and efficient home sales. His approach is rooted in honesty, integrity, and perseverance, aiming to build lifelong relationships with clients.
In addition to his work with buyers and sellers, Brad is also a dedicated coach, mentor, and instructor that’s committed to educating and empowering the next generation of real estate professionals through industry training and career development
Pam Figueroa
School Licensing Administrator
Hello, I’m Pam Figueroa. I proudly earned my real estate license in July 2024, and this first year has been such a rewarding journey. As an empath, I’ve discovered how much I enjoy guiding buyers and sellers through the real estate process—listening closely, understanding their needs, and helping them make confident decisions in today’s market.
Alongside serving my clients, I’m also an educator with First Team. I serve as the School Licensing Administrator for Southern California, based in our Irvine office, while working as an agent in Newport Beach with Terry LeClaire. My business partner, Jim Ford, has been teaching for more than 30 years, and as he prepares for retirement, I’m honored to continue his legacy of mentoring and coaching future agents.
I’m bilingual in English and Spanish, which allows me to connect with and serve an even wider community of buyers and sellers. When I’m not showing homes, you’ll often find me running along the beach or volunteering through the Chamber of Commerce and other non-profit organizations. I’m passionate about making a difference—both in real estate and in the community I love.
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