Charles L. Williams Achieves LEED Professional Accreditation
Date: 07/23/2009
Contact: Charles L. Williams - Partner
Phone: 540.983.9375
E-mail: charles_williams@gentrylocke.com
Charles L. Williams, a senior partner with the Virginia law firm of Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore, has received the designation of LEED®-AP for New Construction and Major Renovation from the Green Building Certification Institute of the United States Green Building Council. The designation reflects an advanced knowledge of the Green Building Council's LEED Rating System for New Construction, which is designed to guide and distinguish high-performance commercial and institutional projects.
The majority of LEED-certified professionals are architects and engineers. According to Williams, "Having an attorney who understands LEED and can evaluate the many legal applications can greatly benefit the building process. I'm looking forward to attaining tangible advantages such as preferred zoning and bank financing, energy tax credits, and historic and new market tax credits for our clients throughout the region."
Williams focuses his legal practice on Real Estate and Environmental Law. He serves as the legal community representative on the Roanoke Business Environmental Leadership Coalition, which seeks to pave the way for Roanoke businesses to adapt more environmentally friendly consumption behaviors. He has been named one of The Best Lawyers in America® for Environmental Law, is a member of the Environmental Law Section council of the Virginia State Bar, and the Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law Section council of the American Bar Association.
Williams also leads Gentry Locke's "Green Team" which is successfully implementing multiple firm-wide initiatives designed to reduce the carbon footprint of procurement and the environmental impact of its more than 130 employees. Strategies have included the elimination of bottled water and wasteful materials such as plastic and Styrofoam cups and utensils, recycling programs for paper, aluminum cans, batteries, and toner cartridges, and increased use of electronic documents when possible.