Alvarez-Glasman & Colvin's Teresa Chen LEED Certified

CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA--(Marketwire - Feb 16, 2012) - Alvarez-Glasman & Colvin, a City of Industry, Calif.-based law firm that services clients in industries including green building, is one of the state's very few law firms with an associate that is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accredited professional, as recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED is the nationally recognized and accepted standard for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance sustainable commercial and residential buildings. Teresa Chen received her LEED^® certification with a specialization in Commercial Operations and Maintenance (LEED AP O+M). She is also one of the few certified professionals employed in the legal field.

"As solar energy and green building practices continue to be incorporated into commercial and residential projects, it is important that law firms remain informed about the legalities concerning both industries," said Arnold Alvarez-Glasman, managing partner with the firm. "Teresa's understanding of green building principles and practices, along with her dedication to the sustainable usage and operation of existing buildings, allows her to advise our clients about how to best adhere to industry standards and policies."

Chen works closely with property owners to ensure that their properties meet and exceed all industry standards, and also provide long-term energy savings. She is also versed in the legalities surrounding California's CalGREEN Code, which requires that all new buildings constructed after January 1, 2011 are built using environmentally advanced construction practices. The code also pertains to the construction and renovation of government and state buildings, which must be certified as LEED Silver.

Cities throughout California, including the City of Los Angeles, which passed a sweeping Green Building Ordinance in 2008, now require that all new construction over 50 units or 50,000 square feet must be constructed to meet LEED standards. Due to this, Chen advises clients about additional aspects pertaining to green building and LEED certification and also incorporates green building standards into client contracts and protects them from inaccurate policies.

Alvarez-Glasman & Colvin serves as a legal counsel to numerous public agencies, planning commissions, historic preservation commissions, planning departments, as well as private developers, corporations, homeowners and individuals, while also serving as litigation counsel in lawsuits both challenging and defending land use regulations and environmental issues, including green building.

About Alvarez-Glasman & Colvin
Founded in 1985 by Arnold M. Alvarez-Glasman and Roger Colvin, Alvarez-Glasman & Colvin is a boutique law firm specializing in representing public agency and private sector clients. Areas of expertise include real property law, municipal and school district law, construction and land use law and litigation, environmental compliance, public agency law, real estate development, employment and labor law, business litigation and legislative advocacy. It is also one of the few law firms in the state of California with a LEED-accredited attorney. Through its Northern and Southern California offices, the firm provides unparalleled legal counsel and litigation services for all aspects of complex real estate transactions, including the negotiation and documentation of acquisitions, development agreements, financings, leases and related entitlement documents. For more information, visit www.agclawfirm.com.