I am a construction lawyer with the national law firm Chamberlain Hrdlicka. I represent virtually every kind of contractor and subcontractor as well as owners, designers and suppliers in connection with many types of construction projects. About half of my practice involves contract drafting and counseling clients through day-to-day legal issues that arise on construction projects. The other part of my practice is litigating construction claims and disputes.
About two and a half years ago, I became very interested in the green building movement. I started reading about the different rating systems and programs relating to green building and taking classes about Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED. I realized right away that green building and the rating systems like LEED were going to add another dimension to construction projects and specifically, to the legal issues that are typically associated with those projects. I wanted to be ahead of the curve on these issues rather than take a back-seat approach.
I believed it was important to fully understand the LEED system and the process of LEED certification in order to be able to give my clients practical and effective advice in the context of green building projects. So, I took the LEED exam and became a LEED Accredited Professional (AP). As a LEED AP, I have brought significant value to my clients involved in green building projects.
My goals for this blog are to identify and keep you updated on significant issues affecting the development and construction industries (both green and non-green issues), and to create a forum for discussion about the impact of these issues and the resolution of any conflicts that they create.
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Construction and Green Building Law Blawg 
November 3, 2010 at 9:40 pm
Gina,
I am always interested in a lawyers take on design and construction issues. I am an Architect, Contractor and LEED AP. I have many friends who have fought the LEED mandate, and state, “When I was in school, we called this common sense and good design”. Much of it is, much of the LEED points are not.
On a broad scale, the UT school of Architecture used to fight urbanism, and stresses from over-crowding. Harmony with nature and our venacular was the norm. USGBC in Nashville fought development of a private piece of land, claiming that it was the last large piece of green space in Metro Nashville. No one knew about this land before, and no one will know about it or care about in the future.
I have not “drank the USGBC Cool-aid”. I am a tree-hugger, and I believe that sustainability must become a way of life. But the misuse of LEED certification, and the standards that have ensued are not what is going to make our world sustainable.
I look forward to more on your subjects. I imagine that it will be another ambiguous specification to battle over.
Thanks for letting me voice.
David