@chrischeatham

Chris Cheatham

Construction attorney

LEED Accredited Professional (AP)

Associate, Crowell & Moring

Author of the Green Building Law Update blog

Today, we’re tweeting with @chrischeatham: construction attorney, LEED AP, author of the Green Building Law Update blog, and more

1. @Chrischeatham, thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Who is the person behind @Chrischeatham?
   I’m a construction attorney concerned about green building legal issues on the horizon.
2. Tell us about your law practice.
   I do construction litigation primarily. We handle big and small construction delay cases.
3. What type of clients do you represent?
   Contractors, sureties, owners. Often against federal or state govts.
4. What is the single most important legal issue affecting your clients?
   Responsibility for LEED certification. Or at least it will be…
5. Sounds like you’ll be busy for a while…. What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
   You have to understand the owner’s expectations og a green building project to manage risk.
   I also tell clients you have to understand the owner’s expectations OF a green building project to manage risk.
6. :-) What was the most significant client representation you’ve had?
   Easy. We represented numerous insurers in the Katrina litigation. Would’ve been largest construction litigation case ever.
7. I can only imagine…. Why do your clients hire you?
   I can handle very complicated construction delay cases efficiently. And low rates!
8. Good reasons indeed. How are you and your firm responding to financial difficulties your clients may be experiencing?
   Our rates are low so we can litigate for clients who have a tight budget.
9. You are certified as LEED AP (the 2nd to be interviewed on 22 Tweets!). How does that help your clients?
   I understand legal risks that arise from LEED process. And I can properly draft LEED project contracts
10. Why aren’t more traditional construction firms embracing green building, particularly given the economy?
    Initial costs to learn green construction is a barrier. And green still not in demand in majority of country.
11. Is that changing? Will green building ever have a meaningful impact on the country’s energy requirements? When?
    Absolutely. Absolutely. The stimulus includes $25B for green building. Will have big impact and market will shift.
12. That’s welcome news… How do you market your practice?
    My blog is my homebase. I use it to generate leads, speaking and writing opportunities. @lexblog is the best!
13. How much time would you say you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
    Maybe an hour? I lost track a long time ago.
14. Bet it’s more than that… You mentioned your blog (http://bit.ly/GhOE). Why do you write it and who should read it?
    I write it because I’m concerned about legal issues facing green building industry.
    Green building industry professionals who recognize risk should read it.
15. Has blogging made you a better lawyer? How?
    Definitely. I look for issues that could harm my clients before they happen.
16. A nice value-add for them. What impact have your Web 2.0 activities had on referrals and client engagements?
    My best green building contacts are direct result of my blog and twitter. And more diversified contacts.
17. Nice value-add for you…. What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
    The entire legal landscape has shifted. Firms got too big. I am very concerned for young associates.
18. Perhaps trend changing:could argue that firms are shrinking… What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
    Firms shrinking means associates fired. 10 years: smaller, regional firms. Lower rates or even flat rates.
19. Interesting perspective re fees. What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
    I think I would be a novelist, like Hemingway. I would go crazy like him too.
20. Phew. Good thing you got into law school…. How do you want to be remembered?
    Professionally: dedicated and fair. Personally: good husband.
21. What do you do when you’re not working?
    Watch Kansas Jayhawks sporting events. Some might say I am a bit obsessed with Kansas basketball.
22. Last question for you today: what advice do you have for people going to law school today?
    Recognize that things have changed. Figure out your passion and write and talk about it all the time.

Thanks for the interview today. It was fun!

Thank you very much for tweeting with 22 Tweets and answering our questions. This was a great twitterview.

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