NEWARK, NJ (February 28, 2012) – Law firm McCarter & English LLP announced today that it has been awarded LEED® Gold and Silver Certifications established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute for its renovation of the firm’s Newark office. LEED is the nation’s preeminent building ratings system for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.
“At McCarter, we strive to lead by example,” said Stephen M. Vajtay, Jr., Firmwide Managing Partner. “The renovation of our largest office in Newark was the right thing to do for our employees, clients, business partners and the environment in which we live, work and serve. In addition to our new LEED Certifications, we are also very proud to have four attorneys who have been designated by the U.S. Green Building Council as LEED Accredited Professionals and are knowledgeable about Green Building requirements, practices and procedures. We will continue our efforts to maintain a forward-thinking culture at McCarter, part of a philosophy that has contributed to our continued success for over 165 years.”
“This achievement places McCarter in the forefront of firms that ‘walk the walk’ with regard to a commitment to green building and sustainability,” said Mary Jane Augustine, a partner in the firm’s Construction Group, who is a LEED AP, and was an advocate within the firm for seeking the LEED Certifications.
The firm is also seeking LEED Silver Certification for its Stamford, CT office. McCarter & English achieved LEED Certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainability strategies. By using less energy and water, LEED Certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.
“McCarter’s LEED Certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair of the U.S. Green Building Council. ““The green building movement offers an unprecedented opportunity to respond to the most-important challenges of our time, including global climate change, dependence on non-sustainable and expensive sources of energy and threats to human health. The work of innovative building projects such as McCarter’s is a fundamental driving force in the green building movement.”
LEED Certification of McCarter & English was based on a number of green design and construction features. The office received a LEED Gold Certification for the renovation of its practice floors, and a LEED Silver rating for the build out of its Conference Center. The firm achieved LEED points for: water efficiency, green power, low VOC paints and coatings, utilization of a construction waste management system, paper recycling, furniture and material re-use and advanced lighting technology, among others.
Gensler, a global architecture, design, planning and consulting firm, led the renovation of the firm’s Newark office.
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About the U.S. Green Building Council
The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. With a community comprising 80 local affiliates, more than 18,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 167,000 LEED Professional Credential holders, USGBC is the driving force behind an industry that is projected to contribute $554 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product from 2009-2013. USGBC leads an unlikely diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and students.
About LEED
The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED green building certification system is the most widely used rating system for the design, construction and operation of sustainable buildings. Over 100,000 projects are currently participating in the LEED rating system, comprising over 8 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states and 114 countries. www.usgbc.org.
About McCarter & English
McCarter & English, established more than 160 years ago, represents Fortune 500 and middle-market companies in their national, regional and local litigation and on important transactions. Its 400 attorneys are based in offices in Boston, Hartford, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, Stamford and Wilmington. www.mccarter.com