Lauren D. Armstrong

Education

Bar and Court Admissions

• Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• New York State

Practice Focus

Ms. Armstrong’s practice focuses upon all aspects of commercial real estate development and finance, with an emphasis on land use planning, title, land acquisition and disposition, and leasing matters.  She uses her practical experience to assist a wide range of clients with contractual, financial and development issues.  For example, Ms. Armstrong:

Assists landlords in the development and negotiation of leasing documentation for shopping centers, office buildings and industrial parks (including air rights leases), and also counsels landlords and tenants on their respective property leasing concerns

Represents developers in the development and financing of condominium projects including the preparation of condominium documentation

Works with architects and contractors in the negotiation of service contracts

Advises borrowers and lenders with permanent and construction financing transactions, and helps lending institutions dispose of their real estate portfolios

Notable Experience

Ms. Armstrong has acted on behalf of numerous real estate market participants in transactional matters.  A representative sample of her clients and their matters includes:

• A regional urban redeveloper of luxury apartments in the acquisition and development of various sites in the Commonwealth
• A transportation based real estate advisory company in the negotiation of easements, telecommunications contracts and leases for various air rights developments
• A  foreign developer in the acquisition and redevelopment of a hotel operation in downtown Boston
• A design firm on the negotiation of design contracts for an office tower and hotel in Vietnam 
• A landlord in the leasing and disposition of office space and parking facilities in the greater Boston area
• A national shopping center developer in the acquisition and redevelopment of two adjacent regional shopping malls in two western suburbs of Boston
• A manufacturer in the acquisition and development of a manufacturing facility at the former military base in Devens, Massachusetts
• A start-up company in the acquisition of a manufacturing facility in Worcester, Massachusetts
• A hotel concern in obtaining construction financing for locations in Chelmsford, Massachusetts
• A non-profit organization in its negotiation of architectural and construction contracts for the renovation of historic property in the Back Bay of Boston, Massachusetts
• A Washington, D.C. based retailer in the negotiation of its lease for its Boston flagship location
• The Massachusetts Commissioner of Insurance in her capacity as Receiver in the disposition and leasing of various properties nation-wide

Background

Prior to joining Rackemann, Sawyer & Brewster, Ms. Armstrong was an assistant general counsel with The Pyramid Companies, a regional shopping center developer active in the northeast portion of the United States.

Professional Activities

• Active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, N.E.W.I.R.E., NNCREW, NAIOP, Cornell Real Estate Council and the Real Estate Bar Association for Massachusetts, Volunteer Lawyers Project, Lawyer for the Day, Boston Housing Court, American Institute of Architects, Boston Society of Architects

Publications

Contributions to Crocker’s Notes on Common Forms