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Education

J.D. University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, Specialization in Governmental Affairs, 1998

B.A. University of California at Davis, 1995

Bar Admissions

California

Affiliations

Member. California State Bar Real Estate Section

Member, California State Bar Environmental Section

Member, Sacramento County Bar Association

Member, Stanislaus County Bar Association

Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association

Member Legal Subcommittee, ASTM Committee E-50 WK 24707 Guide for Building Energy

Member, CBIA Climate Change Task Force

Member, CBIA Construction Codes and Energy Subcommittee

Member, Home Buildings Association of Northern California (HBANC)

Member, HBANC Green Building Task Force

Member, Building Industry Association of Central California (BIACC)

Member, BIACC Board of Directors

Vice-Chair, BIACC Green Building Task Force

Member, BIACC Legislative Committee

Member, Urban Land Institute

Member, U.S. Green Building Council

Member, Build It Green

Licensed California Real Estate Broker

Member, California Association of Realtors

Member, San Joaquin Valley Partnership (2007-2008)

Member, California Land Title Association (2007)



Douglas L. White

Contact information:
Associate
dlwhite@weintraub.com
T: 916.558.6022
F: 916.446.1611
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Practice Areas

Doug represents clients on issues related to real estate, land use and environmental law. He has been recognized as one of the leading attorneys in the United States on issues related to green building, climate change and sustainability. He regularly advises real estate developers, lenders, REITs, commercial property management companies, businesses and public entities.

Doug is one of the first attorneys in California to receive the prestigious LEED Accredited Professional designation (LEED AP). He frequently lectures on, among other things, green building risk management, real estate contracts and building standards. He also assists clients in matters related to renewable energy, energy efficiency programs, energy funding sources, carbon and other environmental credits, CEQA, real estate financing, leasing, condemnation actions, public contracts, environmental reviews, the California Political Reform Act, and regulatory and governmental affairs.

Awards & Recognition

  • Named 2009 Green Leader by the editors of the California Real Estate Journal (December 7, 2009).
  • Selected for Inclusion in SuperLawyers “Rising Stars” (2009).
  • LEED Accredited Professional: First attorney in Silicon Valley and seventh in California to receive this prestigious designation from the U.S. Green Building Council.
  • 2009 Associate Member of the Year, Building Industry Association of the Central Valley (February 20, 2009).

Significant Representations

  • Preparation of development agreement and entitlement assistance for 2,500-unit mixed use, model “green” community in California for developer/homebuilder.
  • Special Counsel to California city in successful adoption of its General Plan update.
  • Preparation of office lease for European pension fund landlord for full-floor tenant going into office building proposed for LEED Existing Building retrofit in Florida.
  • Preparation of form service contracts for LEED consulting and building commissioning services for consultant.
  • Preparation of professional liability insurance audit and advice for LEED consultant.
  • Conduct comprehensive project entitlement document audit and prepare green building issue and risk assessment for mixed use California project for global aircraft manufacturer.
  • Formation of Joint Powers Authority with participation of several municipalities and county for pursuit of stimulus funds and establishment of innovative energy contractual assessment district under California’s AB 811, with carbon credit protocol to create new revenue streams.

Articles & Publications

  • “Retrofitting Office Buildings to be Green and Energy-Efficient,” Peer Reviewer, Urban Land Institute (2009).
  • “Special Contribution: Understanding Green Leasing,” Green Technology Magazine (February 26, 2009).
  • “All Eyes on Albuquerque,” Central California Builder Magazine (September 2008).
  • “California Becomes First State in the U.S. to Adopt Green Building Standards,” Central California Builder Magazine (September 2008).
  • “Entitlements Don’t Equal Consideration,” Central California Builder Magazine (July 2008).
  • “Gone Green? The Top Three Legal Issues to Consider When Building Green,” Central California Builder Magazine (June 2008).

Speaking Engagements

  • "Legal Issues for Green Buildings: Issues and Solutions for Success," Alternative Building Expo, Santa Monica, CA (May 7, 2010)
  • “Contracting Challenges for Green Buildings,” National Association of Energy Service Companies, Beverly Hills, CA (November 18, 2009).
  • “Developing Green and Managing Risk,” Santa Cruz County Association of the Bar, Santa Cruz, CA (June 10, 2009).
  • “Federal Economic Recovery Investment and What it Means for Real Estate,” Developing Green Conference - Urban Land Institute, Beverly Hills, CA (May 13, 2009).
  • “Green Building Legal Risk Management Practices,” Green Building Finance & Investment Forum West, San Francisco, CA (March 4, 2009).
  • “Changing the color of your practice: What lawyers and their clients should know about green buildings,” Santa Clara County Bar Association, San Jose, CA (November 18, 2008).
  • “Retail Green and Risk Management,” Strip Mall Conference, Sacramento, CA (October 29, 2008).
  • Testimony before the California State Legislature on California building standards and creation and implementation of a state green building code.
  • “Packing a Parachute: Practices that Minimize Risk and Prompt Best use of Green Features,” West Coast Green, San Jose, CA (September 27, 2008).
  • “Real Estate Contracts and Disclosures,” DeAnza College, Cupertino, CA (September 27, 2008).
  • “The Greening of California’s Real Estate Market - Managing Risk,” Santa Clara County Bar Association of Realtors, San Jose, CA (September 16, 2008).
  • “The Greening of California Residential Development,” Annual PASS Breakfast - Building Industry Association of Central California, Modesto, CA (August 13, 2008).
  • “Green Gone Wild,” CCIM of Northern California, Pleasanton, CA (July 8, 2008).
  • “Real Estate Contracts, Disclosures and Due Diligence,” Comcast Cable Television, San Jose, CA (April 2008).
  • “What to do about AB32,” Green Building Task Force for the Building Industry Association of Central California, Modesto, CA (January 24, 2008).

Previous Experience

  • Legal Counsel and Vice President of Government Affairs for the California Bankers Association.
  • Member of the Legal Division of California’s Fair Political Practices Commission.
  • Chief of Staff, Legislative Director and Consultant to various public officials, including State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell and Congressman Dennis Cardoza.