Abstract: An integrated electrochemical cell and method for processing lithium brine to obtain recovered lithium and produce a lithium product in a single continuous process. The integrated cell has a catholyte chamber with an intercalating electrode for lithium recovery from a lithium brine streaming through the catholyte chamber. A first anion exchange membrane separates the catholyte chamber from a buffer chamber. The buffer chamber streams a salt of a brine-predominant anion (e.g., a chloride salt for lithium brine containing predominantly chloride salt, or a carbonate salt for lithium brine containing predominantly carbonate salt) for removing the brine-predominant anion and thus preventing precipitation of salt species on first anion exchange membrane. An intermediate membrane separates the buffer chamber from a compatible anion chamber that streams a compatible salt that contains compatible or product anions desired for formation of the lithium product.