Lawyer for Kitchen Table Closing ?

Hey all, looking for suggestions and recommendations on this.

Trying to close on a short sale property today in San Diego. Lender is requiring the borrower to be the seller. Unfortunately, the seller decided to go off the grid and we believe he is living somewhere in the jungles of SE Asia. We have power of attorney for the sale but title company will not do deal with the POA since it is older.

So our plan was to close outside of escrow...then bring in financing behind it.

However, lender is requiring closing agent to sign settlement statement. So, we are hoping that maybe we can salvage deal using one of the exceptions in California. In addition to escrow companies, California allows
a. banks, insurance companies
b. title companies
c. attorney for principal in transaction
d. broker involved in transaction
to act as closing agent

So we are looking to see if anyone has used an attorney to sign off on HUD in past? Obviously we would be ok with signing a limited retainer agreement that just covered the signing of this specific settlement statement.

Would love your input..any possible lawyer recommendations if you know a real estate investor/attorney that would be good to work with.

Thanks
Kevin
760-213-4636