2020 Webinar: Mitigating Environmental Pitfalls in Construction & Development

The Construction Practice Group hosted a complimentary webinar in ALFA International’s Summer Webinar Serieson June 30, 2020,  at 12:00 p.m. Central Time titled: Mitigating Environmental Pitfalls in Construction & Development. CLE credit is available for this webinar.

Click here to view a recording of the webinar. 

Webinar Materials:

ALFA International Webinar PPT 6/30/20

• Webinar Agenda 6/30/20

About the Webinar:

This webinar will discuss possible environmental issues affecting construction and development from the point of view of owners, developers and general contractors, and offer best practices on how to avoid and/or mitigate potential liabilities resulting therefrom.

Panelists:

WILLY ACCAME manages risk throughout Panattoni Development Company’s global operations, advises the company’s Investment Committees, and serves as the chair of the firm’s Sustainability Committee. He advises on the acquisition and development of properties with environmental challenges throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. Willy is responsible for negotiating and structuring insurance for the company, overseeing claims litigation, managing contractual risk, and advising the company on environmental matters. Willy has performed/directed thousands of environmental assessments for acquisitions throughout North America and Europe. He routinely identifies environmental risks, quantifies liabilities, and negotiates strategies to successfully complete acquisitions.  Willy is actively involved in redeveloping Brownfield properties and over the last 13 years, has managed the environmental aspects of over 80 redevelopment projects responsible for over 25 million square feet of industrial buildings valued at over $2.5 billion. Willy provided litigation support on numerous matters including defending against U.S. EPA on a $150M contribution claim and a manufacturing facility with chlorinated solvent contamination where he assisted in the preparation of expert witnesses in defense of a $86M class-action lawsuit, provided deposition, and assisted with the development of a successful defense strategy resulting in a favorable settlement. Prior to joining Panattoni, Willy spent 15 years as Vice President and General Manager at WSP, a global environmental consulting firm, and 10 years as Division Manager at Greenhorne & O’Mara where in 1985 he co-founded the firm’s environmental consulting practice. Willy holds advanced degrees in Geochemistry and Remote Sensing and speaks widely on environmental risk and Brownfield redevelopment.

SUZANNE A. MULVIHILL is a skilled transactional partner with ALFA International member firm Haight Brown Bonesteel LLP in Los Angeles, CA, who assists clients on sophisticated business and corporate matters and complex real estate transactions. Suzanne represents owners, investors, developers and lenders in various aspects of commercial real estate, from contract through closing, on complex issues related to the ownership structuring, purchase, sale, development, investment and financing of mixed-use, office, retail, and industrial projects. She advises clients on a wide spectrum of tax issues, including ownership and transaction specific structuring. She also represents clients in connection with purchases and sales of businesses, including mergers and acquisitions, asset sales, stock purchases and sales across all industries. Suzanne received her master’s degree in tax law (LLM) from Boston University School of Law, is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law and received her undergraduate degree from San Diego State University.

MELISA K. THOMPSON is Senior Counsel at ALFA International’s member firm, Cosgrave Vergeer Kester LLP, in Portland, Oregon’s Business Practice Group. Her practice focuses on real estate and corporate law. She also has experience in employment law, construction law and insurance defense. Melisa has a unique background in real estate title examination and underwriting for both residential and commercial transactions. Her multifaceted professional background includes experience with a variety of real estate matters, including: navigating title imperfections, assisting with property distribution in probate, and all aspects of real estate acquisition and sale. Her familiarity with title insurance endorsements, underwriting, and the effects of litigation on property owners, provide her with a unique ability to serve clients in the Pacific Northwest. Melisa has been licensed in Washington since 2004 and in Oregon and Idaho since 2009.