The law firm of Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & HirschtrittLLP has established an online "green building network" for theexchange of information and services related to sustainable realestate practices. The firm announced the network's formation inconjunction with "Building Green," a breakfast seminar onconstructing, renovating and managing buildings in accordance withcurrent standards for green construction.

Held in late October, the seminar reportedly drew a largeaudience from the development, construction and design communities,who received practical advice imparted by the speakers. Thepanelists included moderator Kenneth M. Block, co-chair of the realestate, environmental and construction practice group at TannenbaumHelpern and also counsel for the New York chapter of the US GreenBuilding Council; Murray A. Levi, vice president at the LiRo Group;John C. McGinley, vice president with Grubb & Ellis New York;and Mark Harari, co-president at Phbcatalystgroup Inc.

Levi provided an introduction to the USGBC's LEED (Leadership inEnergy and Environmental Design) rating system and Harari discussedhow green impacts a project's construction budget and schedule.McGinley demonstrated an investment analysis, highlighting keyadvantages of green in the areas of productivity and reduced energycosts for tenants.