Tag Archives: New Orleans

Does Stricter Decertification Mean More “Leedigation?”

Posted on January 3, 2022 by Christopher G. Hill • 10 Comments

Originally posted 2015-07-13 09:00:13.

Recently, my friend and fellow construction attorney/consultant, Chris Cheatham (@chrischeatham) posted the news that USGBC will be more stringent on the de-certification front. This statement relates to the continued energy performance of LEED-certified buildings and increases the likelihood that energy performance (as opposed to mere reporting) could lead to de-certification.

I have discussed on several occasions the potential legal risks relating to green building. One of the big potential sources for such litigation (or “leedigation” as coined by Mr. Cheatham) is the possible de-certification of a previously certified building. With this latest statement by USGBC, the specter of such de-certification seems even stronger.

Couple this potential with the fact that anyone can challenge the certification of a building at any time and contractors, subcontractors and other construction professionals face potential liability for the performance of a building in ways well beyond their control.

While this risk is a real one in my opinion, careful planning and consultation with a construction lawyer familiar with the LEED certification system can help construction professionals minimize this risk.

On another note, Scott Wolfe and I will be discussing these risks and solutions in more detail next week at the Green Legal Matters conference in New Orleans.

Update: Tim Hughes (@timrhughes) has pointed out that the GBCI has changed the challenge policy, thanks for the update, Tim!

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From Rosie The Riveter to Green Irene: A Plan For Bringing Women Into The Green Revolution

Posted on December 11, 2019 by Christopher G. Hill • 0 Comments

Business of Construction, Green Building, Guest Post Friday, Marketing

Originally posted 2011-03-04 10:00:01. For this week’s Guest Post Friday here at Construction Law Musings, I’m happy to re-welcome a good friend, Shari Shapiro, Esq., LEED AP. Shari blogs at www.greenbuildinglawblog.com where this post also appears. Ms. Shapiro is an associate with Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP in the Environmental Department. She focuses her practice

Green Building and Jazz- What Could be Better?

Posted on November 16, 2010 by Christopher G. Hill • 3 Comments

Announcements, Business of Construction, Construction Law, Green Building

As I announced via my Posterous page (where I posted the registration form), the folks at the Green Legal Matters Symposium asked me to speak. My good buddy Scott Wolfe (@scottwolfejr) of the Wolfe Law Group and the Construction Law Monitor will be my co-presenter. The luminaries speaking at the symposium include my fellow attorneys and friends Shari Shapiro (@sharishapiro)

Reflections on Green Matters

Posted on October 18, 2010 by Christopher G. Hill • 2 Comments

Business of Construction, Green Building

This past week I had the pleasure of speaking at Green Matters in New Orleans. The conference was great. The speakers, among them Tim Hughes (@timrhughes), Shari Shapiro (@sharishapiro), Chris Cheatham (@chrischeatham) and Doug Reiser (@douglasreiser) and my co-speakerScott Wolfe (@scottwolfejr), were excellent. From discussions of greening the legal office to how the GSA works

Off to New Orleans for Green Legal Matters

Posted on October 13, 2010 by Christopher G. Hill • 2 Comments

Announcements, Green Building

Back in March, I posted on this great conference. Now it’s here and early tomorrow morning I will be heading off to the great city of New Orleans to join friends and fellow construction and green building bloggers and attorneys (among them Tim Hughes (@timrhughes), Shari Shapiro (@sharishapiro), Chris Cheatham (@chrischeatham) and Doug Reiser (@douglasreiser)).

About Musings

I am a construction lawyer in Richmond, Virginia, a LEED AP, and have been nominated by my peers to Virginia's Legal Elite in Construction Law on multiple occasions. I provide advice and assistance with mechanic's liens, contract review and consulting, occupational safety issues (VOSH and OSHA), and risk management for construction professionals.

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