Sustainable Business

Becoming a sustainable business is a process.  Our multi-disciplinary Sustainable Business practice group assists companies in addressing the possibilities and profitability of sustainable and Green practices.  We help our clients understand and navigate the legal implications of "Go-Green" market pressure and provide the legal support needed to achieve Green objectives.  The practice group includes members of the firm's real estate, labor and employment, environmental, energy, construction, corporate, tax, and nonprofit practice disciplines and includes an industrial hygienist and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional. 

Our Sustainable Business lawyers stand ready to:

• Provide advice on Green Marketing campaigns and materials, including:
  - Important compliance issues associated with FTC and state "Green Guides" - Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims, and
  - Development of responsible environmental and Green marketing, advertising, and promotion strategies
• Prepare and negotiate business agreements to acquire, develop, and operate Green or sustainable building projects, including:
  - Real estate contracts required to acquire, sell and develop high performance Green buildings,
  - Construction contracts that incorporate Green building standards and performance requirements, such as those required for LEED certification, and
  - Lease agreements that include sustainable and Green elements
• Represent developers on land use and zoning approvals and permits required for the development of Green or sustainable building projects
• Advise clients on available tax credits and other alternative energy incentives for sustainable practices and construction projects
• Represent developers and operators of Green or sustainable building projects in construction litigation matters and in other adversarial or dispute resolution proceedings
• Represent developers, operators and entrepreneurs in negotiating and closing loan and equity transactions to provide acquisition and operating capital for sustainable business ventures
• Counsel clients on environmental contamination investigations, remediation, and Brownfield redevelopment projects
• Advise clients on regulatory compliance, including Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Solid Waste Management Act, RCRA, TSCA, EPCRA, FIFRA, OPA, NEPA, release reporting, and Safe Drinking Water Act
• Advise clients in choosing and forming the appropriate business structure for their business and sustainability goals, including:
  - Formation of corporations, partnerships, and other business structures,
  - Formation of nonprofit organizations, and
  - Development of employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) and equity compensation plans
• Advise clients on sustainable corporate governance, including:
  - Development of corporate ethics and transparency policies, and
  - Risk assessment for various sustainability initiatives
• Represent investors in sustainable business ventures
• Develop sustainable employment policies and practices, including:
  - establishing "green collar" jobs,
  - providing statutory compliance advice, and
  - instituting and implementing employee training protocols and in-house dispute resolution practices
• Counsel business on charitable outreach, including:
  - Organizing and establishing a charitable foundation, and
  - Advising clients on charitable giving

Montgomery McCracken is a member of the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia.

Contact Montgomery McCracken's Sustainable Business practice for more information on how you and your business can benefit in the "Green Economy."  You may reach co-chairs R. Monica Hennessy at 856-488-7769 or by email at mhennessy@mmwr.com or Tricia Sadd, LEED® AP, at 215-772-7697 or by email at tsadd@mmwr.com.