March 19, 2014
PITTSBURGH, PA, March 19, 2014 – Varun Shekhar recently joined law firm Babst Calland as associate in the Firm’s Environmental Services Group. Mr. Shekhar’s practice encompasses a variety of federal and state environmental matters, including air quality permitting, hazardous waste and toxic substance management, remediation, and occupational health and safety. He received his J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 2013, while also attending the University of Michigan and Wayne State University law schools. During law school Mr. Shekhar worked with the Great Lakes Environmental Law Center in conjunction with Wayne State University’s Transnational Environmental Law Clinic, where he assisted community groups during planning phases of various large-scale construction projects in Detroit.
January 13, 2014
PITTSBURGH, January 13, 2014 – Babst Calland, recently named Justin D. Ackerman, Christopher J. Hall and Sean M. McGovern shareholders in the firm.
Justin Ackerman, a member of the firm’s Business Services Group, concentrates his practice on representing mid-sized corporations, closely-held companies and family-owned businesses and their owners, providing a broad range of services including general corporate representation, real estate services and transactions, business succession techniques and dispute resolution. Mr. Ackerman also advises clients on aspects of corporate law such as choice and formation of entities, internal governance, mergers and acquisitions, and contract negotiation. His real estate practice involves the purchase and sale of developed and undeveloped commercial property, commercial leases on behalf of landlords and tenants and property tax assessment appeals. Mr. Ackerman earned a J.D. degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and an MBA from the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University in 2005.
Chris Hall, a member of the firm’s Energy & Natural Resources and Title groups, concentrates his practice in the areas of energy, counseling clients on a wide range of oil, gas and mineral matters including oil and gas title opinions, title examination, business transactions and real estate, litigation, and contractual and regulatory issues. Mr. Hall earned his J.D. degree from Vermont Law School in 2004.
Sean McGovern, a member of the firm’s Environmental Services and the Energy & Natural Resources groups, counsels clients on a variety of federal and state regulatory issues related to coal mining, as well as conventional, coal bed methane, Marcellus, Utica and other unconventional shale gas well development, production, midstream activities, storage and transportation. He counsels clients on a wide range of environmental matters, including water withdrawal and disposal, erosion and sediment controls, air and water permitting, and other issues related to the disposal of produced fluids and other wastes generated by these industries. In addition, Mr. McGovern regularly handles industrial wastewater, waste management, and storage tank issues, as well as site reclamation and remediation. He also has experience with environmental transactions, including due diligence activities, and the river basin commissions located in Pennsylvania. Mr. McGovern earned his J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law at Chapel Hill in 2006.
January 7, 2014
PITTSBURGH, PA, January 7, 2014 – Robert Max Junker recently joined law firm Babst Calland as an associate in the Public Sector Services Group. Mr. Junker has served as a municipal and school district solicitor for several years, and he is currently the Solicitor for the Borough of Franklin Park and the Borough of Bell Acres. He counsels and represents the Firm’s municipal clients on general municipal issues including tax assessment appeals, municipal taxation, public bidding, Sunshine Act, the Right-to-Know Law, the State Ethics Act, general land use and zoning matters, code enforcement, as well as Act 111 and Act 195 interest arbitrations and grievance arbitrations. He is currently serving his second term on the Board of Trustees for the Association of Municipal and School Solicitors Section for the Allegheny County Bar Association. Mr. Junker, a 2005 graduate of Duquesne University School of Law, was formerly with the Law Offices of Ira Weiss.
January 3, 2014
PITTSBURGH, PA, January 3, 2014 – Benjamin F. Hantz and Sean R. Keegan have recently joined law firm Babst Calland as associates.
Benjamin F. Hantz, a 2013 graduate of Duquesne University School of Law, joined the Business Services Group. Mr. Hantz’s practice focuses primarily on representing clients in commercial real estate transactions, mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions, and general corporate matters. He has extensive background managing complex due diligence aspects of small and large acquisitions and contract management projects. In addition, Mr. Hantz negotiates and drafts commercial transaction agreements including those related to real estate sales and leasing.
Sean R. Keegan, a 2013 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, joined the Litigation Services Group. Mr. Keegan focuses his practice on general civil litigation.
November 25, 2013
PITTSBURGH, PA, November 25, 2013 – Holly M. Forsberg, Nicholas J. Habursky, Jessica L. Henry, Holly A. Pisanelli and Natalie L. Thompson have recently joined the Title and Energy & Natural Resources groups of law firm Babst Calland as associates.
Holly M. Forsberg, a 2012 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, counsels various energy, oil, gas and mineral-related clients on transaction matters related to gas title issues and opinions.
Nicholas J. Habursky, a 2012 graduate of Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, counsels various energy, oil and gas, and mineral-related clients on transaction matters related to oil and gas title issues and opinions.
Jessica L. Henry, a 2012 graduate of The University of Dayton School of Law, concentrates her practice in the areas of oil, gas and mineral matters including oil and gas title opinions and title examination.
Holly A. Pisanelli, a 2012 graduate of John Marshall Law School, counsels various energy, oil, gas and mineral-related clients on transaction matters as they relate to gas title issues and opinions.
Natalie L. Thompson, a 2012 graduate of Duquesne University School of Law, focuses her practice primarily on counseling various energy, oil, gas and mineral-related clients on transaction matters, including title examination, title curative and oil and gas title opinions.
October 28, 2013
PITTSBURGH, PA, October 28, 2013 – Safiya Boucaud-Robinson, Kristina M. Beer and Joseph A. Lockwood III have recently joined the Title and Energy & Natural Resources Groups of law firm Babst Calland.
Safiya Boucaud-Robinson, a 2011 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, focuses her practice primarily on counseling various energy, oil, gas and mineral-related clients on transaction matters, including title examination, title curative, oil and gas title opinions, and due diligence.
Kristina M. Beer, a 2012 graduate of the College of William & Mary School of Law, counsels various energy, oil, gas and mineral-related clients on transaction matters as they relate to gas title issues and opinions.
Joseph A. Lockwood III, a 2012 graduate of Penn State’s Dickinson School of Law, counsels various energy, oil and gas, and mineral-related clients on transaction matters related to oil and gas title issues and opinions.
October 4, 2013
PITTSBURGH , PA – October 4, 2013 – Dean A. Calland, a founding shareholder of law firm Babst Calland, has been named an International Who’s Who of Environment Lawyer in 2013. Mr. Calland’s international practice consists primarily of complex acquisitions and divestitures for multi-national chemical and manufacturing clients.
Who’s Who Legal, as the official research partner of the International Bar Association and the strategic research partner of the American Bar Association Section of International Law, selects nominees based upon comprehensive, independent survey work with both general counsel and private practice lawyers worldwide. Only specialists who have met independent international research criteria are listed, and it is impossible to buy entry into this publication.
October 2, 2013
PITTSBURGH , PA – October 2, 2013 – Mark K. Dausch, an attorney at law firm Babst Calland, was selected by The Legal Intelligencer as one of only 38 “2013 Lawyers on the Fast Track” in Pennsylvania. A 2007 graduate of the Duquesne University School of Law, Mr. Dausch focuses his practice in the areas of commercial, products liability, toxic tort and environmental litigation. A sizeable portion of his litigation practice has involved defending clients in the natural resources and mining industry.
As lead trial counsel, Mr. Dausch has tried bench and jury trials to verdict and has represented clients in state and federal trial and appellate courts, alternative dispute resolution forums and before government agencies.
With the help of The Legal Intelligencer’s legal staff, a group of eight evaluation panelists from across the Commonwealth have selected from many nominations these 38 “Lawyers on the Fast Track” who not only excel as lawyers, but also serve as exemplary members of their communities and their profession. This recognition is only given to attorneys under the age of 40 who have demonstrated excellence in four categories: development of the law; advocacy and community contributions; service to the bar; and peer and public recognition.
August 13, 2013
PITTSBURGH, PA, August 13, 2013 – The following attorneys have recently joined the law firm of Babst Calland: Meredith L. Calfe, Sarah M. Carter, Morgan H. Condra, Brian M. John, Jeffrey J. Junstrom, James W. Kane, Meghan H. Libman, Joseph P. McCune, Elena L. Pollock and Brittany A. Roof as associates in the Title and Energy & Natural Resources Groups; Abigail Faulkner Jones as an associate in the Environmental Services Group; and Owen J. McGrann as an associate in the Litigation Services Group.
Meredith L. Calfe, a 2009 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, joins the firm from MW Garry & Associates. She counsels various energy, oil, gas and mineral-related clients on transaction matters as they relate to gas title issues and opinions.
Sarah M. Carter, a 2012 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, joins the firm from Sadler Law Firm LLP. Her practice focuses primarily on counseling various energy, oil, gas and mineral-related clients on transaction matters, including title examination, title curative, oil and gas title opinions and due diligence.
Morgan H. Condra, a 2009 graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles, School of Law, counsels various energy, oil, gas and mineral-related clients on transaction matters related to gas title issues and opinions.
Brian M. John, a 2010 graduate of Duquesne University School of Law, joins the firm from Steptoe & Johnson LLP. He counsels various energy, oil, gas and mineral-related clients on transaction matters as they relate to title issues, opinions and division orders.
Abigail Faulkner Jones, a 2011 graduate of Duke University School of Law assists clients on a wide variety of environmental matters.
Jeffrey J. Junstrom, a 2009 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, joins the firm from Chevron North America Exploration and Production Company. He specializes in title-related matters for coal and natural gas exploration and production companies. Mr. Junstrom has spent a significant amount of time on the company-side of the industry and now counsels multiple energy clients on complex issues relating to real estate and marketable title.
James W. Kane, a 2009 graduate of Duquesne University School of Law, joins the firm from Chevron North America Exploration and Production Company. His practice focuses on counseling various energy, oil, gas and mineral-related clients on transaction matters including title examination and analysis, title curative and due diligence.
Meghan H. Libman, a 2012 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, counsels various energy, oil, gas and mineral-related clients on transaction matters related to gas title issues and opinions.
Joseph P. McCune, a 2011 graduate of the University of Notre Dame School, joins the firm from Steptoe & Johnson LLP. He counsels various energy, oil, gas and mineral-related clients on transaction matters as they relate to gas title issues and opinions.
Owen J. McGrann, a 2009 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, joins the firm from Tucker Arensberg, P.C. He focuses on complex commercial litigation, trade secret and non-compete litigation, and general litigation matters
Elena L. Pollock, a 2009 graduate of Duquesne University School of Law, joins the firm from Bonya Gazza & DeGory, LLP. Her practice focuses primarily on counseling various energy, oil, gas, and mineral-related clients on transaction matters, including title examination, title curative, oil and gas title opinions, and due diligence.
Brittany A. Roof, a 2011 graduate of Duquesne University School of Law, joins the firm from Sadler Law Firm LLP. Her practice focuses primarily on counseling various energy, oil, gas, and mineral-related clients on transaction matters, including title examination, title curative, oil and gas title opinions, and due diligence.
May 7, 2013
PITTSBURGH, May 7, 2013 – The law firm of Babst Calland today released its third annual energy industry report called, “The Babst Calland Report: Perspectives on Natural Gas Development – Recent Activities and Expected Trends, Vol. III, Spring 2013.” This annual review of natural gas development activity includes perspectives on energy and natural resources law related primarily to the Marcellus and Utica shale regions.
Commenting on this year’s Report, Joseph K. Reinhart, Shareholder and Chairman of Babst Calland’s Energy and Natural Resources Group, said, “This Report reflects our approach to providing clients with perspective and insights on key environmental and regulatory initiatives taking place in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. With all of the shale development and regulation underway, this is a very dynamic time for the energy and natural gas industry in the Appalachian Basin.”
The 84-page report reflects the perspectives of Babst Calland’s multi-disciplinary team of energy attorneys. It contains 12 subject matter sections including environmental and land use updates, and perspectives on title services, transactions, litigation and pipeline safety.
To order a complete copy of the Report, click here.
To stay on top of shale energy development updates, articles, news and regulatory information, visit and subscribe to Babst Calland’s Shale Energy Law Blog at shaleenergylawblog.com.
Courtesy: KDKA-TV/Pittsburgh ‘Sunday Business Page– Shareholder Joseph K. Reinhart, provides legal perspective on the region’s natural gas development.
March 18, 2013
PITTSBURGH, March 18, 2013 – Lawrence E. Moore has joined the law firm of Babst Calland as Director, Government Relations. Mr. Moore will be a member of the Firm’s Public Sector Services and Energy & Natural Resources Groups. He comes to Babst Calland from the private and public sector, with a background in municipal planning and project management experience.
Previously Mr. Moore spent nearly a decade with Butler Health System (System) serving most recently as its Manager of Facilities and Property Planning. In this capacity, he was responsible for the day-to-day facilities oversight of all new construction and renovation projects as well as serving as the lease coordinator for owned and leased System properties. His public sector experience includes having served as the Land Use Administrator/Zoning Officer for Hampton Township (Allegheny County) and Penn Township (Butler County). As a Community Planner for Olsen and Associates, he was responsible for conducting public meetings and workshops for municipal clients for Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision/Land Development Ordinance updates. Additionally, he authored municipal Zoning and Subdivision/Land Development Ordinances as well as Comprehensive Plans to ensure compliance with the Municipalities Planning Code for municipal clients.
Mr. Moore received his B.A. in Journalism in 1988, his Paralegal Certification in 2002 and his M.S. in Community Leadership in 2008 from Duquesne University. He is a member of the American Planning Association, the Pennsylvania Planning Association, the American Bar Association (associate member) and the American Society for Healthcare Engineers.
January 15, 2013
PITTSBURGH, January 15, 2013 – Management of an underground and/or aboveground storage tank compliance program can be challenging and arduous. However, these critical and necessary steps ensure that small problems don’t lead to accidental releases and spills, impact water supplies, and create significant financial hardship for your company.
As a refresher course in underground and aboveground storage tank compliance, environmental attorney Timothy Bytner will provide a webinar sponsored by the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry. The webinar, Basics in Complying with Underground and Aboveground Storage Tanks, will occur on Thursday, February 7, 2013 from 11 a.m. to noon.
Details of the webinar include:
- A brief overview of the applicable underground and aboveground storage tank laws and regulations that impact companies
- A review of the new 2012 underground storage tank operator requirements
- Recordkeeping and documentation records that tank operators are responsible for maintaining – examples of required records include corrosion expert’s analysis, tank upgrade reports, and more
- Monitoring and inspection requirements
- Corrective action steps to follow should you think a tank is leaking
Mr. Bytner will open up the last few minutes of the webinar to answer questions from participants. The webinar fee is $25 per company and registration is required. Companies are invited to include up to 10 attendees with one registration fee. The webinar qualifies for one Professional Development Hour (PDH) for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists from the PA Registration Board.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Space is limited. Reserve your company’s webinar seats now at: www.PAChamber.org/conf.
January 2, 2013
PITTSBURGH, January 2, 2013 – Babst Calland, Pennsylvania’s fastest growing law firm, recently named Peter J. Veltri a shareholder in the firm.
Mr. Veltri is a member of the firm’s Business Services and Energy & Natural Resource groups. Mr. Veltri has a significant amount of experience in representing the coal and natural gas industries in a wide variety of commercial matters. His practice areas include representing clients in mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, drafting and negotiating commercial contracts and real estate agreements, and advising clients with respect to business planning and structuring.
Mr. Veltri is a 2005 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar and a member of the Allegheny County, Pennsylvania and American Bar Associations.
He has been recognized as one of Pennsylvania’s up-and-coming lawyers, according to an annual survey published in Philadelphia magazine.
December 5, 2012
David Northrop joins Babst Calland as a shareholder in the Environmental Services group after spending nearly 40 years practicing law in Columbus, Ohio. His practice involves representing clients in their interactions with federal and state environmental regulatory agencies and includes client counseling and litigation. He has litigated on behalf of clients in administrative matters involving environmental permits and has defended clients in civil and criminal enforcement matters in federal and state court.
Mr. Northrop represents clients in matters involving air pollution, water pollution, solid waste, hazardous waste, and property contamination, including Superfund cases. He also counsels clients on the environmental aspects of transactions such as the acquisition or sale of businesses or property.
Mr. Northrop graduated from Allegheny College in 1970. He received his J.D., summa cum laude from The Ohio State University College of Law (now the Moritz College of Law) in 1972, and has practiced environmental law since 1973 in both the public sector and, since 1987, in private practice. His practice in the public sector was in the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, representing the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and other Ohio environmental regulatory agencies. Mr. Northrop practiced in the Environmental Enforcement Section for ten years, including four years of service as chief of the section. He also served for four years as deputy chief counsel to the attorney general.
Mr. Northrop is admitted to practice in Ohio and Pennsylvania, as well as in the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio, the Western District of Pennsylvania and the Eastern District of Kentucky, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States. He is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association.
December 5, 2012
Prominent Team of Energy, Environment and Litigation Attorneys Join Firm
Clay K. Keller, Richard J. Lolli, David E. Northrop Named Shareholders
The law firm of Babst Calland recently announced the continued expansion of its growing energy practice by opening its newest office in downtown Canton, OH, at the PNC Center.
The expansion of the Firm’s already well-established energy and natural resources practice is taking place at a time when many of the Firm’s existing energy clients participating in unconventional gas development are tapping Babst Calland’s multi-disciplinary practice group for its Marcellus and Utica shale experience and capabilities.
The Firm was founded 26 years ago and has represented energy-related clients since its inception. The Firm’s multi-disciplinary practice addresses a wide range of issues affecting its energy clients, including environmental, business and transaction services, title, litigation, land use, construction and employment & labor. More than one-half of Babst Calland’s 105 lawyers currently are involved in servicing the Firm’s energy clients.
Joining Babst Calland as shareholders are attorneys Clay K. Keller and Richard J. Lolli. Mr. Keller joins the firm effective June 15, 2012, and Mr. Lolli begins on June 25, 2012. Both are admitted to practice law in the state of Ohio and are active in county and state bar associations as well as the Ohio Oil & Gas Association and Ohio Land Title Association, respectively. Mr. Lolli’s extensive background is in the area of Title/Land Use and Real Estate law. Mr. Keller is a litigator representing clients on a broad range of oil and gas matters.
Joining Mr. Keller and Mr. Lolli will be Ohio attorney David E. Northrop after spending nearly 40 years practicing law in Columbus, Ohio. He is known for his representation of clients in their interactions with federal and state environmental regulatory agencies.
“Babst Calland serves the energy industry with a coordinated, multi-disciplinary team of lawyers that is focused on the broad spectrum of federal, state and local issues impacting our clients. The significant growth of Marcellus and Utica shale development over the past year has created the need for geographic expansion so that we can provide that same level of service to our clients in West Virginia and Ohio,” said Chester R. Babst III, managing shareholder of Babst Calland.
“The addition of Clay Keller, Richard Lolli and David Northrop gives our firm a team with more than 80 years of experience in handling environmental, real estate, title and litigation matters in Ohio and allows us to serve our Ohio clients with attorneys who understand the local landscape,” added Babst.