LEED and Green Construction

Overview

Robinson+Cole’s Sustainability Group represents real estate developers and other construction practitioners committed to green building, and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certified buildings. We represent private developers, building owners, nonprofits, architects, and general contractors and assist with a variety of projects designed to qualify for LEED certification.

Our Services

The firm’s Sustainability Group helps clients identify and maximize federal, state, and local incentives for green buildings. We participate in green building accreditation processes in the leading jurisdictions for promoting sustainable construction and development for projects throughout the country.

Robinson+Cole routinely works with municipalities and policymakers to adopt and implement building codes that promote green building and energy efficiency. Our Sustainability Group also helps our clients explore strategies that involve clean energy purchase contracts and renewable energy generation, such as solar photovoltaic and cogeneration HVAC equipment.

In addition, we assist clients with obtaining approvals and drafting and negotiating documents for green building projects. This includes representing clients in public-private partnerships for green building or green infrastructure development. We also counsel building owners, developers, and energy service companies (ESCOs) in the negotiation of pay-for-performance energy agreements.

Our team also represents clients in litigation and alternative dispute resolution to resolve claims arising out of green building projects or green facilities, as well as alleged defects in the construction of such projects.

Our Team

Several lawyers of our team are LEED Accredited Professionals and involved with the U.S. Green Building Council. We also regularly publish and present on recent developments and trends in green building.  

    • Experience

      • Represented an independent coeducational college preparatory boarding and day school in the negotiation of a design contract for a 24,000-square-foot-science building designed and built in accordance with sustainability principles of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system of the U.S. Green Building Council.

      • Represented public-private partnership with the State of Connecticut to redevelop, operate, and maintain Connecticut's 23 highway service plazas that include "green" initiatives to bring the facilities up to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards, improve water runoff patterns, and install idle-reduction technology for use by trucks on the Connecticut Turnpike, also known as Interstate 95.

      • Represented a regional water pollution control authority in arbitration of claims related to faulty design and construction of an energy recovery reuse facility against an engineering procurement and construction contractor. Representation also included litigation regarding a defective boiler.

      • Drafted and negotiated hundreds of millions of dollars in design, construction, and consulting contracts for an Ivy League university's most prominent projects, including the environmental studies building (a LEED Platinum building), the new business school building, the chemistry lab, and renovations for several of the university's residential colleges.

      • Represented a manufacturer of high-technology products and provider of support services to the aerospace and building industries worldwide for legal work concerning the design and permitting of several connected “sustainable campus” projects to upgrade the client's treatment and reuse of wastewater, to install a combined heat and power cogeneration facility, and to make related infrastructure changes at a business unit’s headquarters.

      • Report on and analyze trends in smart growth, green building, and land use planning at the state and local levels across the country as part of the firm’s services to a national real estate client.

      • Represent clients in cogeneration approval proceedings and advise as to transfer of ownership.

      • Represented a developer in identifying and financing the Connecticut Green Building Tax Credit for its LEED-certified building.

    • Publications + Presentations
    • "Energy Benchmarking Ordinances: Coping with the New Mandate on Retail Owners and Tenants," published in Retail Law Strategist, co-authored by Brian W. Blaesser and Timothy C. Twardowski (Spring 2015)
      • » more info

        • Energy Benchmarking Ordinances: Coping with the New Mandate on Retail Owners and Tenants

        "Energy Benchmarking Ordinances: Coping with the New Mandate on Retail Owners and Tenants," published in Retail Law Strategist, co-authored by Brian W. Blaesser and Timothy C. Twardowski (Spring 2015)

        The article discusses the underlying rationale for building energy benchmarking and the competing perspectives of proponents and opponents of government-mandated energy benchmarking programs. It also discusses several common elements of energy benchmarking ordinances and offers practical tips for retail owners and tenants when their local government is contemplating adopting an energy benchmarking ordinance. Mr. Blaesser is a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP B+C).

      • View article

      "Sustainable Retail Development: The Balancing Act Between 'Good Practice' and Regulatory Compliance," at 2012 International Council of Shopping Centers RetailGreen Conference, presented by Brian W. Blaesser (11/28/2012)

      "Retail Primer on Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: Part II," published in Retail Law Strategist, co-authored by Brian W. Blaesser and Sorell E. Negro (Fall 2012)
      • » more info

        • Retail Primer on Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: Part II

        "Retail Primer on Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: Part II," published in Retail Law Strategist, co-authored by Brian W. Blaesser and Sorell E. Negro (Fall 2012)

        Part II discusses important considerations in deciding where to install the charging stations, provides tips on lease considerations, and addresses regulatory compliance issues.

      • View article

      "Retail Primer on Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: Part I," published in Retail Law Strategist, co-authored by Brian W. Blaesser and Sorell E. Negro (Summer 2012)
      • » more info

        • Retail Primer on Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: Part I

        "Retail Primer on Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: Part I," published in Retail Law Strategist, co-authored by Brian W. Blaesser and Sorell E. Negro (Summer 2012)

        Part I of the article explains what a provider is and how to choose and enter into agreements with a provider.

      • View article

      "Drafting & Negotiating Green Building Provisions in Design/Construction Contracts and Leases," at 2010 Greenbuild International Conference, Generation Green: Redefining Our Future, Chicago, Illinois, presented by Brian W. Blaesser (11/2010)
      • » more info

        • Drafting & Negotiating Green Building Provisions in Design/Construction Contracts and Leases

        "Drafting & Negotiating Green Building Provisions in Design/Construction Contracts and Leases," at 2010 Greenbuild International Conference, Generation Green: Redefining Our Future, Chicago, Illinois, presented by Brian W. Blaesser (11/2010)

        Mr. Blaesser's presentation was part of a series of legal panels offered to attendees for the first time at Greenbuild. Mr. Blaesser has been appointed by USGBC's General Counsel to a Legal Working Group of attorneys from around the country to develop "legal track" sessions for Greenbuild and to review proposed green provisions in industry standard design and construction contract forms.


      "Managing Liability Issues in Green Buildings and Sustainable Construction," presented at Higher Education Real Estate Lawyers, co-presented by Gregory R. Faulkner and Martin A. Onorato (10/15/2010)

Our Team

Members