Best Practices Construction Law : Construction Lawyer & Attorney : Matthew DeVries : Stites & Harbison Law Firm : Green Building & LEED Litigation

Where's Waldo?  The real question is, Where's Matt?  If you've wondered where I have been the past few days, try looking in Texas and North Carolina.  I have been preparing to speak at two construction law conferences in two different states.  Look closely and you might find me.

On Thursday, I will be speaking at the University of Texas School of Law 2010 Construction Law Conference in Dallas, Texas.  I am speaking with Jeffrey Peters of Rimkus Consulting Group and our topic will be: "LEED 101 and Beyond: Incentives, Design, Construction Pitfalls, Certifications and Contracts."  In this workshop, Jeff and I will be talking about the design issues, contracts and certifications for green and sustainable development, including a look at the most common green standards and how they are used to certify green buildings.  We will also talk about the financial incentives driving developers to go “green” and some of the possible challenges with this type of construction.

On Saturday, I am speaking at the North Carolina Bar Construction Law Section Annual Meeting in Greensboro, North Carolina.  Our panel of regional construction lawyers will discuss common construction issues that arise in NC, SC, GA, TN and VA, including statutes of limitations and statutes of repose, lien and bond claim deadlines, contractual quirks and indemnity requirements.

What's in it for you?  Well, if you check back with me on Monday ... and send me an email, a direct message to Twitter @matthewdevries, or a LinkedIn message, I will send you a copy of one, the other, or both presentations.

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I am in Austin, Texas this week attending the ABA Forum on the Construction Industry's annual meeting.  One of the ways that I got more involved in the Forum was participating in the activities of one of the twelve divisions.  I am a member of Division 10: Legislation and Environment, which helps assemble information regarding case law and legislation affecting the construction industry, including environmental trends. 

On Thursday morning, our division will host a breakfast with a presentation by LaVerne Williams, who designed Tonalacalli, Austin's very first LEED Platinum home in Austin. You can check out the project at: www.firstaustinleedhome.com.  Some of the features of the home include:

• Official First Certified LEED® Platinum Project in Austin; 
• Official First Certified LEED® Home in Austin; 
• Five-Star level rating (Austin Green Building Program's highest possible rating)
• Intentionally designed for Passive Sustainability... i.e., to have the ability to naturally maintain relatively comfortable livable conditions for the occupants during times when there may not be power or water or food available from off-site sources; 
• Green building features include rainwater harvesting; solar water-heating; high-efficiency HVAC system; sustainable site development; and environmentally preferred product use.

In addition, the project was awarded 3 additional Innovation Design credits beyond the maximum of 8 credits available in the program.  If you are in Austin this week, then stop by the Division 10 breakfast on Friday morning at 8:00-9:30 a.m.  Hope to see you there.

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