Overview
Elizabeth (Betsy) Allen is a real estate attorney focusing her practice on commercial and real estate transactions, including acquisitions, sales, financings, and leasing.
- Drafts and negotiates leases for commercial clients (office, retail, industrial and medical) throughout the country
- Represents real estate owners and developers in the acquisition, sale and financing of commercial properties throughout the country
- Coordinates portfolio transactions, including drafting and negotiating loan and acquisition documents
- Represents clients with respect to qualifying for tax incentives and tax abatements
- Reviews title matters, including reviews of surveys, title commitments, and documents of record
- Researches and drafts legal opinions regarding Michigan-specific real estate and tax law
Services
Practice Areas
Experience
Representative Matters
- Negotiated hundreds of lease amendments and settlement agreements on behalf of private and publicly-traded landlords in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Represented owners of mixed-use buildings in the leasing of more than 25 buildings in the Midwest
- Represented shopping center owners in acquisitions, sales, leasing, and financings
- Managed various aspects of a $100 million multi-property office condominium acquisition and financing
- Represented real estate investment trust (REIT) in $50 million multi-property loan assumption for shopping centers in Florida, Georgia, Kansas, and Minnesota
- Assisted in the acquisitions of landmark properties in multiple cities
- Negotiated lease amendments on behalf of multiple affiliated landlords in connection with the bankruptcy of a national tenant
- Aided in the sale of a large wireless cellular retailer
- Served as an intern for Judge Audrey G. Fleissig of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
Credentials
Education
Washington University School of Law, J.D.
- magna cum laude; Order of the Coif
- Journal of Law & Policy, Executive Notes & Projects Editor; Women's Law Caucus, Secretary; Public Service Advisory Board, Pro Bono Pledge Chair
- William H. Webster Scholar
Rutgers University, B.A.
- English and Art History
Admissions
- Michigan
Recognition
Awards
- Michigan Super Lawyers, 2021
Professional & Community Involvement
- State Bar of Michigan
- Real Property Law Section
- Professional Education and Events Committee (2018)
- Detroit Metro Bar Association
- International Council of Shopping Centers
- Urban Land Institute
- Young Leaders Group Steering Committee (2017-2020)
- Women's Leadership Initiative
- ULI Michigan Larson Center for Leadership 2018
- ICSC Ohio Kentucky Indiana Michigan and Pennsylvania Retail Development and Law Symposium Program Committee (Vice Chair 2022; Chair 2023)
- Rivière28 Advisory Board, Member (2017-2018)
- Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, Volunteer
- Tutor Mate, Volunteer (2017-2018)