April 1, 2009

Larry James, Jr. of Dickinson, Mackaman, Tyler & Hagen, P.C. has achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design® (LEED) accreditation by the U.S. Green Building Certification Institute, and, according to the U.S. Green Building Certification Institute's website, is the first Iowa attorney to do so. LEED Professional Accreditation distinguishes building professionals with the knowledge and skills to successfully steward the LEED certification process. LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED APs) have demonstrated a thorough understanding of green building practices and principles, as well as the LEED Green Building Rating System, a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings.

Larry chose to pursue the LEED AP designation for a number of reasons. "It is essential for an attorney to be able to answer clients' questions about the implications and requirements of LEED certification," says Larry. "There are also a number of liability issues that practitioners should be aware of when drafting contracts for LEED certified projects. I thought it important to educate myself on these issues because LEED is going beyond mainstream to become the norm. More and more, developers will choose to build LEED certified projects because the market is starting to demand it."

Larry is a member of the Real Estate, Green Business & Sustainability Law, and Construction Law Groups at Dickinson, Mackaman, Tyler & Hagen, P.C. in Des Moines. In addition to his law practice, he is a frequent author and speaker on topics related to green building practices, including LEED certification and green building liability.  He also donates legal services to the non-profit Green & Main organization, which seeks to revitalize communities through sustainable renovation, and he is a member of the Iowa Wind Energy Association, the Iowa Renewable Energy Association, the Urban Land Institute and the U.S. Green Building Council.