Las Vegas (PRWEB) December 12, 2014
Melissa A. Beutler, a Partner in the Las Vegas and Salt Lake City offices of Holland & Hart LLP, has co-authored and co-edited a new book that guides construction lawyers through the ever-changing laws and regulations that govern green and sustainable development.
“Green Building and the Construction Lawyer: A Practical Guide to Transactional and Litigation Issues,” was published and released in November by the American Bar Association Forum on Construction Law.
Sustainable development is presenting new issues to the design and construction community. In turn, the growing demand for these green/sustainable building projects, advances in design and construction in this area, and legislation directed to green and sustainable development are all impacting the practice of construction law.
“This book provides the industry a guide on both the history behind current green and sustainable initiatives as well as tips and advice on cutting edge issues. The project was initially conceived in 2007, but because of the rapid changes and developments going on in the industry, we held off until now so the book would be as thorough and relevant as possible,” Beutler said.
Evolving past a trend and into an integral issue in design and construction, green building and sustainable development practices are now integral issues in design and construction. “Green Building and the Construction Lawyer” provides explanations and insights into issues that all construction lawyers should understand in order to meet their client’s needs and expectations.
Green building presents unique issues associated with legislation, design and construction practices, contract drafting, insurance, and even litigation and dispute resolution, among others. The book offers a primer focused on the special needs of the construction practitioner, and includes advanced tips and commentary on key issues.
Written by preeminent authorities in the area of green building, the book opens with a basic description of green building practices and definitions and the sources of laws that have evolved to regulate it. This part also discusses the LEED program and concludes with a green building case law surveys. Subsequent parts of the book cover:
- Contractual issues in the green building context: between owners/developers and design professionals; between owners/developers and general contractors; and between general contractors and subcontractors and suppliers
- Insurance and bonding considerations
- Energy and water performance Litigation issues for the project owner, the design professional, the prime contractor, and third-party claims
Beutler is a LEED AP (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional) who frequently writes and speaks on green construction topics. She drafts and negotiates complex construction contracts that involve green building, LEED, and energy savings performance guarantees.
Beutler represents owners and contractors on commercial and industrial building projects, including large projects on the Las Vegas Strip. She is an active member of the ABA Forum on Construction Law and the ABA Construction Litigation Sections.
She received her JD from the J. Rueben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University, with honors.
For more information and to order the book, click here.
About the American Bar Association
With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is one of the largest voluntary professional membership organizations in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.
About the Forum on Construction Law
The Forum on Construction Law is the largest organization of construction lawyers in the United States, and indeed in the world. The Forum’s roughly 6,000 Members and Associates are drawn from all types of Construction practice – law firms large and small, solo practitioners, in-house and government counsel, as well as construction professionals and the public sector. Forum members represent all segments of the Construction industry: owners, developers, design professionals, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, construction managers, lenders, insurers and sureties.
About Holland & Hart
Holland & Hart LLP delivers integrated legal solutions to regional, national, and international clients of all sizes. Since its inception in 1947, Holland & Hart’s more than 470 lawyers have consistently been recognized by leading national and international peer and industry review organizations for innovation and dedication to the practice of law. For more information, visit http://www.hollandhart.com.