Experience
Lauren focuses her practice on civil litigation. She has experience litigating civil matters involving breaches of contract, protective orders, structural defect claims for condominiums, covenant enforcement, judicial foreclosure, and business torts. She has managed all aspects of civil litigation, including drafting pleadings, arguing dispositive motions, and successfully handling both bench and jury trials.
Lauren began her legal career as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Judge William T. Newman, Jr. (Ret.) of the Circuit Court of Arlington County. Through her clerkship, Lauren was immersed in all aspects of Virginia civil and criminal procedure. Prior to joining Rees Broome, Lauren spent almost 6 years providing general counseling services to community associations regarding covenant enforcement, corporate governance, contract negotiation and disputes, and real property issues. She also served as litigation counsel for association clients, representing communities in a variety of cases in all levels of trial and appellate courts in Virginia, including prevailing in two jury trials in Prince William County Circuit Court and being granted a writ of certiorari before the Supreme Court of Virginia.
News & Publications
Articles—
- Co-Author, “Reserve Study Requirements: Virginia, Maryland & D.C.”, WMCCAI Quorum, September 2019
- Co-Author, “Observing the NOTICE Act,” NAELA Journal Online, March 2019
- Author, “Legal Practice as a Community Associations Attorney”, The American Bar Association’s The Young Lawyer, June 2021
- Author, “Owner Education in Times of Conflict or Uncertainty,” WMCCAI Quorum, June 2021
- Co-Author, “Trends in Fair housing: Discrimination Based on Familial Status, Neighbor-to-Neighbor Disputes, and Your Association’s Obligation to Protect Residents’ Rights”, WMCCAI Quorum, March 2022
- Co-Author, “Striving for Architectural Compliance”, SVACAI Blog, January 2023
- Author, “Tricky Trees: Addressing Liability & Self-Help”, WMCCAI Quorum, March 2024
Seminars/Presentations—
- “Pandemic Preparedness: Reserve Studies, Financials and Governing Documents”, May 2020
- “Paying Your Fair Share: Reserves and Financing Capital Projects for Virginia Associations”, December 2020
- “Housing Law”, Guest Presenter for University of Richmond School of Law, February 2021
- “Housing Law”, Guest Presenter for University of Richmond School of Law, March 2022
- “Spotlighting Some Green Issues: Examining Environmental Activities on Common Area and Lots/Units and Association Responsibilities”, 2022 Keynote Presentation for Central Virginia Chapter of Community Associations Institute, April 2022
- “Striving for Architectural Compliance”, Community Associations Institute Virginia Leadership Retreat, July 2022
- “Housing Law”, Guest Presenter for University of Richmond School of Law, April 2023
Affiliations
- Virginia State Bar
- Alexandria Bar Association
- Community Associations Institute
Awards
- 2019 WMCCAI Rising Star
- 2020 National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) John J. Regan Writing Award
- 2021 WMCCAI Committee of the Year (Public Outreach Committee)
- 2023 WMCCAI Outstanding Contribution Award (Potomac Watershed Clean-Up)