Lauren A. Liss

Boston D +1 617.310.5259 T +1 617.310.6000

Lauren A. Liss focuses her practice on environmental law and policy as well as real estate development. Lauren has deep public and private sector experience, having served in a variety of governmental roles, including as president and CEO of the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency. In this role, she led the state’s quasi-public finance and development agency, working with businesses, nonprofits, banks, and communities to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. She previously served as commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and as general counsel and deputy secretary for Environmental Policy at the Executive Office of Transportation and Construction for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Additionally, she was senior environmental counsel for the Central Artery/Ted Williams Tunnel project.

Concentrations

Regulatory compliance and permitting
Administrative law
Land use
Transportation

Capabilities

Environmental Real Estate Land Use

Experience

Government Experience

President and CEO, Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, 2017-2020
Commissioner, Department of Environmental Protection, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1999-2003
Executive Office of Transportation and Construction, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1997-1999
- General Counsel, 1998-1999
- Deputy Secretary for Environmental Policy, 1997-1999
Senior Environmental Counsel, Central Artery/Ted Williams Tunnel Project, 1996-1997

Recognition & Leadership

Awards & Accolades

Listed, Boston magazine, "Top Lawyers - Land Use Environment," 2022-2023
Team Member, a Law360 "Real Estate Practice Group of the Year," 2023
Team Member, a Law360 "Environmental Practice Group of the Year," 2022
Rated, AV Preeminent^® 5.0 out of 5.0

°AV^®, AV Preeminent^®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished^SM and Martindale-Hubbell Notable^SM are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell^® certification procedures, standards and policies.

Professional & Community Involvement

Board of Directors, A.D. Makepeace Company, 2021-Present
Board of Directors, MassEcon, 2017-Present
Board of Directors, NAIOP, 2017-Present
Advisory Committee, Northeastern University School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs, 2019-Present

Credentials

Education

J.D., cum laude, Boston University School of Law, 1989
- Editor, Probate Law Journal
A.B., cum laude, Bryn Mawr College, 1986

Admissions

Massachusetts

News, Insights & Events

Lauren has authored numerous articles and participated in various panels and conferences for federal and state environmental and economic development groups, bar associations, and other environmental, business, industry, and municipal organizations. She has guest-lectured in environmental and transportation issues at Boston College Law School, Suffolk University Graduate Program, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.