Bringing both a corporate background and large law firm experience to the table, Sandra Buchko understands what clients want and need. With over 13 years of corporate experience as a Regional Leasing Director in the outlet and mall business for Horizon (fka McArthur Glen Group), Konover Property Trust and Nine West Shoes, Sandra earned her law degree so she could negotiate commercial real estate transactions and cut creative deals. Her unique background as a “business attorney” vs. “legal attorney,” and her reputation as being politely tenacious, drives her to keep her eye on the ball, keep focused on the important issues and details in a transaction, and fight for the deal when required.
Sandra represents entrepreneurial landlords and tenants, major real estate developers, institutions and REITs in retail, office, hotel, land and general real estate transactions including landlord and tenant leasing matters, acquisitions and dispositions of commercial properties, hospitality, financing and related corporate matters.
Advising public and private for profit and non-profit clients on office and retail, bank, hotel, assisted living, multifamily and charter school real estate acquisition and disposition transactions, Sandra represents clients on a wide range of single asset and portfolio acquisitions and dispositions that have included multi-state hotel and assisted living portfolios, urban and suburban office buildings, bank and retail pad sites, strip and enclosed mall shopping centers and charter schools. She also represents clients in like-kind exchanges and financing matters related to real estate assets, including multi-family, office and retail centers.
With extensive experience representing national and international shopping center developers and tenants in leasing transactions, Sandra has also represented one of the largest equity firms in office leasing matters. Additionally, she has represented both landlords and tenants in leasing transactions related to properties located within the United States, Canada, China and Romania.
During the last financial crisis, Sandra received an appointment to the FDIC as Counsel to the Contracting and Risk Management Unit of the Legal Division where she received numerous awards for negotiations.
Outside of the office, Sandra enjoys sailing and being on the water, sampling new recipes in the kitchen, and local and national theater productions.
Among the matters she’s handled, Sandra has:
- Represented clients on multi-state hotel portfolio, office and multi-family acquisitions and dispositions ranging from $1 million to $65 million in individual asset valuation
- Represented national shopping center developers, assisted living and office owners and other clients in the acquisition and disposition of real estate assets
- Advised national and single asset hospitality clients on leasing and operational matters
- Drafted and negotiated retail leases for The Mills Corporation, Westfield, restaurants, banks, and various other clients
- Represented the FDIC in numerous settlement negotiations related to contract compliance issues
- Represented clients such as Washington REIT (fka WRIT) and Monument Realty in multifamily financing and other real estate matters
- Represented clients in tax assessment appeals
- Represented a national restaurant chain and other clients in land use matters
- Campbell University, Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, J.D., 2003
- University of Virginia, B.A., Foreign Affairs, 1985
- University of Virginia, McIntire School of Commerce Summer Business Institute for post graduate studies in business, 1985
- Vanderbilt University in France, summer French Literature and Conversation program, 1984
- Sandy Buchko Author's Article "It's a Tenant's Market: How to Negotiate and Navigate the Leasing Process," American Lawyer Media's Commercial Leasing Law & Strategy Newsletter
- Must Know Minute - What Is Percentage Rent and Why Is It Beneficial?
- "Understanding Percentage Retail Rent," GlobeSt.com
- Shapiro, Lifschitz & Schram Expands With Addition of Sandra Buchko
- U.S District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, 2004
- District of Columbia, 2004
- Virginia, 2003
- District of Columbia Bar Association
- Virginia Bar Association
- Board Member and Investment Committee Member, Building Hope
- Area Representative, Virginia Board of Governors, Real Property
- Awards Committee Member, NAIOP – Virginia
- “Procuring and Insuring Free and Clear Title,” November 2004
- “Understanding Operating Expense Gross Ups in Commercial Leases,” June 2017
- “Commercial Leasing Issues: Understanding Net versus Gross Lease,” September 2017
- Star Award for a settlement negotiation, FDIC, 2016
- Star Award for the finalization of settlement negotiations, FDIC, 2015
- Star Award for the negotiation of the largest post payment review settlement in the history of the FDIC, 2015
- Mission Achievement Award for outstanding work on the largest post payment review, FDIC, 2014
- Star Award for Contribution and Service, FDIC, 2014
- FDIC Mission Achievement Award for the negotiation of the second largest post payment review settlement in the history of the FDIC, 2012
- Westfield Performance Award for the largest number of leases negotiated and signed within a fiscal Quarter, 2011
- Westfield Performance Award for the largest number of leases negotiated and signed within a one-month period, 2011
- Westfield Performance Award for the largest amount of square footage in leases negotiated and signed within a fiscal Quarter, 2011
- Award for Distinguished Service, Campbell University, Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, 2003