Mission Statement

The Babst Calland Women’s Initiative strives to increase the retention and advancement of women attorneys at our Firm and in the broader legal community by promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities.

The Women’s Initiative meets regularly to facilitate open discussions about workplace challenges historically faced by women in professional settings and encourages the exchange of advice and experiences to aid others in navigating those challenges.

The Women’s Initiative further supports the Firm’s women attorneys in developing and promoting their practices by acknowledging and celebrating successes and encouraging mentorship among all of the Firm’s attorneys. A key goal of the Women’s Initiative is to connect women attorneys across the Firm’s practice groups and offices, allowing for organic support systems to develop and prosper. This blending of practice groups and offices encourages collaboration and cross-marketing opportunities that benefit our attorneys and clients. By encouraging these relationships, the Women’s Initiative’s work advances the professional and business development of women attorneys at the Firm and within the legal community at large.

 

Features

The following celebrates the initiatives of the women attorneys at Babst Calland.


Attorney Spotlight on Sara Antol

This is the fifth in a series of profiles featuring the women attorneys of Babst Calland to acknowledge and celebrate their success and to connect women attorneys across the Firm’s practice groups, offices and clients. This attorney spotlight features Sara Antol.

To view the profile on Sara, click here.

Janet Meub Authors Employment and Labor Alert

In case you haven’t noticed the yard signs popping up like mushrooms, the constant barrage of television and radio advertisements, or the unsolicited text messages from unknown numbers, we are in the homestretch of election season. For those employers with questions on how to handle political speech in the workplace, especially during the last few days before (and hopefully not much beyond) Election Day, here is a refresher by employment attorney Janet Meub on the basics for private employers.

Babst Calland’s Women’s Initiative Hosts Night on Broadway Event

The Women’s Initiative hosted a “Night on Broadway” networking event for the opening show of & Juliet at the Benedum for clients and Babst Calland women attorneys. The event included dinner and tickets to the show. Members of the cast also shared some “behind the scenes” insights followed by a Q&A session.

This special event showcased our firm’s commitment to supporting women in the legal profession and strengthening our client relationships.

Janet Meub Authors Women in the Law Article

In her recent article Say “YES”: Reinventing Yourself in the Legal Profession, Janet Meub discusses how you can land new clients or land on your feet in a more supportive environment if you embrace the unfamiliar by saying “yes” to new work, experiences and opportunities. To read the full article, click here.

Morgan Madden Co-Authors Legal Intelligencer Article

Ordinance enforcement is an essential function for a municipality to keep its residents and community functioning efficiently. In their recent article in The Legal Intelligencer, Robert Max Junker and Morgan Madden explain the goal of zoning enforcement is to “ensure compliance with an ordinance such that the community is protected.” To read the full article, click here.

Susanna Bagdasarova Selected to Leadership Pittsburgh Inc.’s Leadership Development Initiative Program

Attorney Susanna Bagdasarova was recently selected to Leadership Pittsburgh Inc.’s Leadership Development Initiative program. Susanna was among a diverse group of 49 members identified as high-potential, emerging leaders in the region who are poised to create significant impact in their organizations and communities. For more information, click here.

Susanna Bagdasarova and Kate Cooper Co-Author Firm Alert

In their recent alert Navigate the Current Uncertainty on FinCEN Matters with Chris Farmakis and Dane Fennell, Susanna Bagdasarova and Kate Cooper provide a reminder of the upcoming January 1, 2025 compliance deadline for the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Rule (the “Rule”). Although it is currently being challenged in the courts, the compliance requirements and deadlines remain in effect for the majority of entities at this time.

Alex Farone Co-Authors Employment and Labor Alert

On August 20, a U.S. District judge ruled that the FTC’s ban on most non-competes exceeded the FTC’s statutory authority. This decision sets aside the non-compete ban nationally, meaning the ban cannot be enforced or take effect on September 4, 2024. Employers may continue to utilize non-competes if permitted by state law, in the manner prescribed by state statutes and case law. There is a reasonable likelihood of an appeal, in which case, there may be additional developments to follow.

Anna Hosack Co-Authors Legal Intelligencer Article

In her recent article Right-To-Know Law Policy Update in the Wake of Anonymous FOIA Buddy Record Requests with Max Junker, Anna Hosack provides a Right-to-Know Law Policy Update in Wake of Anonymous FOIA Buddy Record Requests. To view the full article, click here.

Kristen Petrina Authors TEQ Hub Article

In her recent article Data Privacy: A Friend or Foe of Artificial Intelligence, Kristen Petrina discusses AI development and what organizations should consider before implementing AI into its processes. To read the full article, click here.

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Eight Women Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America®, and Seven Named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America

Eight Babst Calland women lawyers were selected for inclusion in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, the most respected peer-reviewed publications in the legal profession:

  • Lisa Bruderly – Environmental Law
  • Kathy K. Condo – Commercial Litigation, Energy Law
  • Julie R. Domike – Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental
  • Jennifer Hicks – Commercial Litigation and Energy Law
  • Justine Kasznica – Corporate Law
  • Christina Manfredi McKinley – Commercial Litigation
  • Jean M.

Gina Buchman Co-Authors PIOGA Press Article

In her recent article Pennsylvania’s Carbon Capture and Sequestration Act of 2024 with Kevin Garber and Sean McGovern, Gina Buchman discusses the Carbon Capture and Sequestration Act and the three key aspects – pore space ownership, permitting and operating an injection and storage facility, and liability and long-term responsibility for sequestered CO2. The Act was signed into law , effective immediately on July 17, 2024.

Carla Castello Co-Authors Pittsburgh Business Times Article

In her recent article Best Practice for Conducting an Effective Internal Company Investigation with Kevin Douglass and Steve Antonelli, Carla Castello gives insights on conducting an effective internal company investigation when faced with allegations. To read the full article, click here.

Alexandra Graf Authors ABA Pretrial Practice & Discovery Article

In her recent article Press Pause: SCOTUS Says an Appeal of Denied Request to Compel Arbitration Must Stay Case Alexandra Graf discusses the recently decided U.S. Supreme Court case Coinbase, Inc. v. Bielski, 216 L.Ed.2d 671 (2023). Prior to the decision, there was a circuit split as to whether an interlocutory appeal of a denied motion to compel arbitration forces the district court to stay the underlying proceedings.

Jean Mosites, Sloan Wildman and Amanda Brosy Co-Author PA Law Weekly Article

PFAS, known as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment, have been manufactured and used in a variety of industries for nearly 80 years. Following decades of concerns with human health effects and environmental contamination, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) laid out its PFAS Strategic Roadmap. This spring, the EPA finalized two of the most significant measures described in its PFAS Roadmap. Environmental Attorneys Jean Mosites, Sloane Anders Wildman and Amanda Brosy discuss the regulations developed under the EPA’s PFAS Roadmap that go beyond PFOA and PFOS, inviting scrutiny by the public, regulated entities, and various stakeholders.

News
SAY “YES”: Reinventing Yourself in the Legal Profession
The Legal Intelligencer (by Janet Meub) Clients come and go. There is no guarantee that...
News
Babst Calland Partners with PLDIC for “Ask Us Anything” Panel Discussion
Babst Calland partnered with the Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition (PLDIC) to sponsor and...
Events
Film Screening and Panel Discussion in Celebration of International Women’s Day
On March 8, in celebration of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, Babst Calland’s...
Women's Initiative
Women’s Initiative 2024 Mentoring Circle Kickoff Meeting
The Babst Calland Women’s Initiative is celebrating the fourth consecutive year of one of the...
Women's Initiative
Babst Calland Names Buchman and Castello Shareholder
Babst Calland recently named Gina Falaschi Buchman and Carla M. Castello shareholders in the Firm....
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