Chris Cheatham

Attorney Chris Cheatham, LEED AP, is managing partner of Cheatham Consulting LLC and the publisher of the Green Building Law Update.

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Lawsuit Challenging LEED, USGBC Reshaped, Scaled Back
By Chris Cheatham, February 10, 2011
The plaintiff who sued the USGBC -- alleging fraud and seeking millions in what was intended as a class action lawsuit -- has scaled back his complaint.
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A Building Group Goes After Washington State's Energy Code
By Chris Cheatham, January 20, 2011
When are state building codes vulnerable to federal pre-emption? Here's a look at the legal challenge to the Washington State Building Code Council that was filed by the Building Industry......
Rise of Green Building Codes Attracts Legal Challenges
By Chris Cheatham, January 12, 2011
A trend seems to be developing across the country in the green building world. Traditional builders and manufacturers are fighting against green building codes and programs. You can expect......
Are Green Building RFPs More Important Than Contracts?
By Chris Cheatham, December 16, 2010
As an attorney, I tend to think the contract is the key element to a successful construction project. Upon further review, I am convinced that to successfully manage a LEED project, an owner needs......
How Cities Can Prevent a Green Building Apocalypse
By Chris Cheatham, November 04, 2010
Municipal governments should stop mandating LEED certification for private construction. I could run through all of the reasons -- there is no proper enforcement mechanism, there will be increased......
The USGBC Revises Policy on Challenges
By Chris Cheatham, October 14, 2010
The law moves at glacial speeds. The USGBC does not. The biggest problem with the previous LEED challenge policy was that literally anyone could challenge any LEED project at any time based on any......
The Root of All 'LEEDigation'
By Chris Cheatham, October 07, 2010
LEEDigation -- litigation related to a LEED-certified structure -- is about people, not about a building. LEEDigation is about the people who built the building and the expectations of the people......
Structural Issues in a LEED Building Force Occupants to Leave
By Chris Cheatham, August 26, 2010
Worsening structural problems in a LEED-certified county government building in Salem, Oregon, have forced occupants to vacate the premises. The future of the building is under review....
So, You Want to Be a Green Building Attorney
By Chris Cheatham, August 11, 2010
I often speak to law students or prospective law students interested in green building careers. This post includes my standard advice ... First and foremost, green building is not a fad....
GSA Pushes For Reforms to Green Building Certification
By Chris Cheatham, August 10, 2010
The green building industry has been besieged the last few years with stories about buildings not performing as anticipated. It appears the federal government has taken notice and is pushing for......

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