Base Village Owner LLC, which was developing 19 acres in Snowmass, sued Hypo Real Estate Capital Corp. and three European banks seeking damages of more than $406 million for not living up to their funding obligations in the project, Bloomberg reports.

The developer said it entered into a loan agreement in March 2007 to enable it to acquire and construct condominiums, hotels, ski services and retail space in Snowmass, near the Aspen ski resort, according to a complaint filed Tuesday in New York state Supreme Court in Manhattan.

Stay ahead by signing up for Law Week E-News! >

By Ali McNally, LAW WEEK COLORADO

DENVER – A defense verdict in a complex real estate case allowed a popular Denver restaurant to keep its expansion space.

The Cherry Cricket, a 60 year-old bar and restaurant located on 2641 E. 2nd Ave., was awarded defense verdict was issued by Denver District Judge Herbert Stern on Aug. 4 allowing it to keep expansion space worth roughly a quarter of a million dollars.

The Denver office of Snell & Wilmer represented the restaurant’s owners.

Both parties will pay their own attorneys’ fees.

Editor’s Note: Read more in the print edition of Law Week Colorado

Stay ahead by signing up for Law Week E-News! >

Isaacson Rosenbaum real estate attorney Matt Pluss in one of the firm's conference rooms, which floods with natural light. | PHOTOS COURTESY OF MATTHEW MEIER

By Alicia McNally, LAW WEEK COLORADO

The United States Green Building Council Awarded Isaacson Rosenbaum with LEED certification on Tuesday.

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, certification is awarded for exceptional green building design and construction. Isaacson Rosenbaum is the second law firm in Denver to receive LEED-certification. Polsinelli Shughart received its certification on April 30.

“This is a great day for us,” said Bill Silberstein, chair of the firm’s real estate & sustainable development practice group, in an announcement. “The goal of the attorney and staff project team in planning our new office was to create a sustainable and efficient workplace which could be registered as LEED certified.”

Law Week Colorado took a tour of Isaacson Rosenbaum’s office on the 18th floor, 1001 17th Street while the law firm was still in the certification process (See “Law Firms Go Green Save Green: They Find Financial, Practical Reasons to Become Energy Efficient,” May 10, 2010). Not only does the office use automatic dimmer switches and recycled materials, but it also minimizes “private” office space by focusing on a more collaborative work environment for attorneys and legal staff.

“It’s more democratic, and there’s a focus on working together,” said Matthew Pluss, who took the lead on the law firm’s move into its new office in October 2009. “Everyone always knows what’s going on in the firm, no matter what the practice area is. It’s really helpful in getting a well-balanced perspective on your work.”

Stay ahead by signing up for Law Week E-News! >

A bill protecting the deed restrictions the city of Aspen and Pitkin County use to create affordable housing with new development projects has passed the state Legislature and awaits the governor’s signature, but that doesn’t mean a local landowner will drop his cases challenging Aspen’s program, the Aspen Daily News reports.

House Bill 1017, which cleared both the House and Senate earlier this month, specifically states that private developers and local governments can enter into voluntary agreements to provide affordable rental housing.

Stay ahead by signing up for Law Week E-News! >

Ruth’s Chris Steak House, a struggling Aspen restaurant, must remain committed to a lease that commands $35,412 a month, based on a judge’s order issued Wednesday, The Aspen Times reports.
Aspen lawyer Matthew Ferguson, of the firm Garfield & Hecht PC, represented the landlord. Ruth’s Chris attorney was Kathryn Hopping of the Denver law firm Otten Johnson.

Stay ahead by signing up for Law Week E-News! >