October 10, 2023
Former transportation executive and veteran regulatory and environmental attorney, James C. Chen, has joined Babst Calland as a Shareholder in the Emerging Technologies practice in the law firm’s growing Washington, D.C. office.
Mr. Chen brings his deep experience in strategic planning and managing legal, policy and regulatory affairs for public and private companies with a focus on emerging technologies in the transportation sector, particularly electrification and sustainable energy.
“A revolution is occurring in the transportation and energy industries – from how we generate and store energy to power various modes of transportation to how those modes are operated with autonomous and artificial intelligence systems to the way we source, process and recycle the minerals needed to enable those modes,” said Mr. Chen. “Moreover, the challenge facing this revolution is not just figuring out how to best power new transportation technology, it’s also about how to best operate the factories that manufacture them.”
For the past decade, in his executive leadership roles for several new transportation technology companies, Mr. Chen was instrumental in the commercialization of modern electric vehicles and the way they are distributed and sold. Most recently, he was Vice President of Public Policy & Chief Regulatory Counsel for Rivian Automotive, LLC and previously, was Vice President of Regulatory Affairs & Deputy General Counsel at Tesla, Inc.
“We are delighted that Jim Chen is now a part of our firm and our Washington, D.C. office,” said Babst Calland Managing Shareholder Donald C. Bluedorn II. “Jim is a great person, and he has an outstanding reputation and track record as a leader in the electric transportation and sustainable energy space. His industry experience and focused approach to providing strategic and creative solutions utilizing new technologies will be a tremendous resource for our clients.”
In addition to managing his own private practice, Mr. Chen previously held other corporate executive positions and was a prominent Washington D.C. attorney in environmental and natural resources law for two different law firms. During his private firm sector tenure of nearly 15 years, he represented a number of established automobile and truck manufacturers, as well as various industry suppliers on environmental and safety regulatory and policy issues affecting the transportation sector. He started his career as an attorney-advisor in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Regulatory Enforcement.
James Chen is admitted to practice in New York and the District of Columbia. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Case Western University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
October 2, 2023
Christopher S. Etheredge recently joined Babst Calland as an associate in the Litigation Group. Mr. Etheredge has a wealth of experience representing clients in a wide variety of high-stakes litigation and appellate matters involving state and local governments, elected and appointed government officials, complex energy and business litigation, class actions, product and premises liability, medical malpractice, and criminal defense. Recently, he served as counsel to the West Virginia House of Delegates during consecutive legislative sessions, where he drafted and presented legislation to the House Committees on Judiciary, Government Organization, Workforce Development, and Technology and Infrastructure, and regularly counseled House leadership during floor sessions.
Prior to joining Babst Calland, Mr. Etheredge was an associate with Steptoe & Johnson PLLC. He is a 2020 graduate of Washington and Lee University School of Law.
October 2, 2023
Babst Calland today published its 13th annual energy industry report: The 2023 Babst Calland Report – Legal & Regulatory Perspectives for the Energy Industry. The Report provides insights on some of the most critical issues facing the industry.
This edition of The Babst Calland Report also features a special video briefing from U.S. Senator Barrasso (R-WY), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, who is at the forefront on federal energy policy.
Joseph K. Reinhart, shareholder and co-chair of Babst Calland’s Energy and Natural Resources Group, said, “The U.S. energy sector remains as dynamic as ever. New energy policies and legislation are changing the regulatory landscape and affecting all parts of the energy value chain. It is more important than ever for energy executives and their counsel to stay on top of federal, state, and local regulatory developments, legal risks, and the related business implications.”
This year’s Report highlights various challenges and opportunities in the energy sector, including:
- Hydrogen and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) are getting a boost as tools for reducing carbon emissions. The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provided billions in funding in the form of tax credits, grants, and loans for hydrogen and CCS technologies.
- Climate policy and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)-related practices may trigger new reporting requirements imposed by federal and state regulatory agencies. With increased focus on reducing greenhouse gas, particularly methane emissions from the energy industry, several proposed federal agency rules could make ESG reporting mandatory for certain sectors.
- Environmental Justice (EJ) efforts continue to expand as a priority for federal and state agencies following directives from the Biden Administration. The IRA made about $3 billion in funding available for EJ grants. While adoption of the EPA’s proposed budget for 2024 is far from guaranteed, it demonstrates the current administration’s commitment to funding EJ efforts.
- Despite the federal government’s policy drive for growth in the low carbon energy sector, practical issues remain. Grid interconnection and project permitting are driving substantial costs and delays. And many of these problems aren’t limited to just renewables, with permitting headwinds facing all types of energy projects, including CCS, pipelines and oil and gas development. Absent significant reforms to reduce permitting timelines and serial litigation, many of these unprecedented federal incentives may go untapped.
- The Appalachian Basin, like most of the energy producing regions of the U.S., continues to see a variety of novel litigation. The influx of “new” entrants to the energy litigation field has resulted in many new suits asserting variations on traditional energy litigation themes.
- Pennsylvania’s Amended Breach of Personal Information Notification Act (BPINA) went into effect on May 2, 2023. Any companies that do business in Pennsylvania, maintain data belonging to Pennsylvania residents, or do business with the Commonwealth or its agencies, should become familiar with these new data requirements, and review their security-related policies, practices, and incident response plans to ensure compliance with the Amended BPINA.
To request a copy of The 2023 Babst Calland Report, click here.
The Babst Calland Report is provided for informational purposes for our clients and friends and does not constitute legal advice.
September 28, 2023
Facilitated by Babst Calland’s marketing team with the Pittsburgh Chapter of Legal Marketing Association (LMA), Executive Director Ena Lebel and Communications Director Megan Edwards of the Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition (PLDIC) presented a training on implicit bias theory and research and why it matters in the legal profession. More than 70 attendees from LMA’s Northeast Region participated in the training with real life scenarios including tools for how to recognize and interrupt such biases personally and professionally in the workplace.
September 25, 2023
Babst Calland Managing Shareholder Donald C. Bluedorn II recently was honored by the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police with the “Recognition of Excellence” Award. The Bureau recognized Mr. Bluedorn for his work in volunteering to teach Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to active duty City police officers. Mr. Bluedorn also serves as a member of the Pedro Sauer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Association’s Board of Governors.
Pictured: Donald Bluedorn with City of Pittsburgh Police Officers
August 17, 2023
Babst Calland is pleased to announce that five lawyers were selected as 2024 Best Lawyers in America® “Lawyer of the Year” in Pittsburgh, Pa. and Charleston, W. Va. (by BL Rankings). Only a single lawyer in each practice area and designated metropolitan area is honored as the “Lawyer of the Year,” making this accolade particularly significant.
Receiving this designation reflects the high level of respect a lawyer has earned among other leading lawyers in the same communities and the same practice areas for their abilities, professionalism, and integrity. Those named to the 2024 Best Lawyers in America® “Lawyer of the Year” include:
James V. Corbelli – Litigation – Environmental in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Blaine A. Lucas, Municipal Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Kevin J. Garber – Natural Resources Law in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Steven B. Silverman – Information Technology Law in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Christopher “Kip” Power – Mining Law in Charleston, W.Va.
View the award recipients here.
In addition, 37 Babst Calland lawyers were selected for inclusion in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® (by BL Rankings), the most respected peer-reviewed publications in the legal profession:
- Chester R. Babst III – Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental
- Donald C. Bluedorn II – Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental, Water Law
- Joseph G. Bunn – Commercial Transactions / UCC Law, Mining Law, Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Dean A. Calland – Environmental Law
- Matthew S. Casto – Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Environmental
- Frank J. Clements – Corporate Law
- Kathy K. Condo – Commercial Litigation
- James V. Corbelli – Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Environmental
- James Curry – Energy Law, Oil and Gas Law
- Julie R. Domike – Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental
- Kevin K. Douglass – Natural Resources Law
- Christian A. Farmakis – Corporate Law, Real Estate Law
- Leonard Fornella – Admiralty and Maritime Law, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
- Kevin J. Garber – Environmental Law, Natural Resources Law, Energy Law, Litigation – Environmental, Water Law
- Steven M. Green – Energy Law
- Jennifer Hicks – Energy Law
- Lindsay P. Howard – Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental
- Robert Max Junker – Land Use and Zoning Law
- Stephen I. Korbel – Litigation – Labor and Employment
- Blaine A. Lucas – Energy Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Municipal Law, Litigation – Land Use and Zoning
- Christina Manfredi McKinley – Commercial Litigation
- John A. McCreary – Labor Law – Management
- Janet L. McQuaid – Environmental Law
- Timothy M. Miller – Energy Law, Commercial Litigation, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Oil and Gas Law, Litigation – Environmental
- Jean M. Mosites – Environmental Law
- Christopher B. “Kip” Power – Environmental Law, Natural Resources Law, Energy Law, Commercial Litigation, Mining Law, Oil and Gas Law, Litigation – Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy), Litigation – Environmental, Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, Litigation – Municipal, Arbitration
- Joseph K. Reinhart – Environmental Law, Natural Resources Law, Energy Law, Litigation – Environmental
- Bruce F. Rudoy – Corporate Law
- Charles F.W. Saffer – Real Estate Law
- Peter H. Schnore – Real Estate Law
- Mychal Sommer Schulz – Litigation – ERISA
- Mark D. Shepard – Commercial Litigation, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Litigation – Environmental
- Steven B. Silverman – Information Technology Law, Commercial Litigation
- Laura Stone – Corporate Law
- Robert M. Stonestreet – Environmental Law, Energy Law, Commercial Litigation
- David E. White – Construction Law, Litigation – Construction
- Michael H. Winek – Environmental Law
View the award recipients here.
18 Babst Calland lawyers were also named to the 2024 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America which recognizes associates and other lawyers who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States:
- Susanna Badgasarova – Corporate Law
- Mary H. Binker – Corporate Law, Real Estate Law, Energy Law
- Katrina N. Bowers – Energy Law, Environmental Law
- Carla M. Castello – Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Labor and Employment, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants
- Andrew C. DeGory – Commercial Litigation
- Nicholas M. Faas – Administrative / Regulatory Law, Government Relations Practice
- Alexandra G. Farone – Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Labor and Employment
- Marc J. Felezzola – Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Construction
- Michael E. Fink – Corporate Governance and Compliance Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Alyssa Golfieri – Land Use and Zoning Law, Municipal Law
- Chelsea R. Heinz – Energy Law
- Sean R. Keegan – Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Labor and Employment
- Benjamin A. Kift – Commercial Litigation
- Jennifer L. Malik – Land Use and Zoning Law, Municipal Law
- James D. Mazzocco – Litigation – Environmental, Transportation Law, Construction Law
- Joseph V. Schaeffer – Commercial Litigation
- Joshua S. Snyder – Commercial Litigation, Energy Law
- Eric Spada – Commercial Litigation
View the award recipients here.
Best Lawyers undergoes an authentication process, and inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® is based solely on peer review and is divided by geographic region and practice areas. The list has published for more than three decades, earning the respect of the profession, the media, and the public as the most reliable, unbiased source of legal referrals. Its first international list was published in 2006 and since then has grown to provide lists in over 65 countries.
July 14, 2023
Attorney David White has been recognized by Business Today among the Top 10 Powerhouse Construction Lawyers Redefining Pennsylvania’s Legal Landscape in 2023. To reach the full article, click here.
July 10, 2023
Attorney Timothy Miller has been recognized by Business Today among the Top 10 Influential Energy & Natural Resources Lawyers in West Virginia. Click here to view the full article.
June 26, 2023
Babst Calland has been ranked 354 among the largest 400 U.S. Law Firms. The Law360 400 features the largest U.S.-based law firms and international firms with a U.S. component as measured by domestic attorney headcount.
June 21, 2023
Shareholder Mychal Schulz was named “Attorney of the Year” by the Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia (DTCWV) at its 41st Annual Meeting on June 19, 2023. DTCWV provides a cohesive network of West Virginia attorneys who defend individuals and corporations in civil litigation. Formed in 1981, DTCWV currently has a membership of more than 500 attorneys.
June 2, 2023
The Chambers USA guide and legal rankings cover practice areas in all 50 states, Washington, DC and at nationwide level and identifies the best practice groups and lawyers working across the US legal market.
Pennsylvania – Environment
Chester R. Babst III
Donald C. Bluedorn II
Dean A. Calland
Kevin J. Garber
Lindsay P. Howard
Pennsylvania – Construction
Marc J. Felezzola
David E. White
Pennsylvania – Litigation: Mediators
Mark D. Shepard
West Virginia – Environment
Christopher B. “Kip” Power
Robert M. Stonestreet
West Virginia – Litigation: General Commercial
Timothy M. Miller
West Virginia – Energy & Natural Resources
Timothy M. Miller
Robert M. Stonestreet
District of Columbia – Environment
Sloane Anders Wildman
May 19, 2023
Babst Calland is pleased to announce that 15 attorneys were selected to the 2023 Pennsylvania and West Virginia Super Lawyers and the 2023 Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania Rising Stars lists, published by Thomson Reuters. Only a few attorneys from each state are selected to receive the Super Lawyers and Rising Stars designation for any given year. The multi-factor selection process includes independent research, peer nominations and evaluations, as well as professional achievement in legal practice. Those selected include:
Pennsylvania Super Lawyers
Dean A. Calland
Kevin J. Garber
Mark D. Shepard
West Virginia Super Lawyers
Timothy M. Miller
Pennsylvania Rising Stars
Kathleen H. Cooper
Casey Alan Coyle
Andrew C. DeGory
Alexandra G. Farone
Ember K. Holmes
Sean R. Keegan
Benjamin A. Kift
James D. Mazzocco
Christina Manfredi McKinley
Joshua S. Snyder
Washington, D.C. Rising Stars
Gina Falaschi Buchman
May 15, 2023
Erin Lucas Hamilton recently joined Babst Calland as a shareholder in the Litigation Group. Ms. Hamilton’s experience spans a wide variety of industries, including energy and natural resources, aviation, engineering, construction, manufacturing, technology, professional sports, banking, insurance and financial services. Her practice involves litigating complex commercial disputes in all phases from initial pleadings through trial and appeal. Ms. Hamilton also provides legal counsel on best business practices, employment matters, risk mitigation and legal and regulatory compliance.
Prior to joining Babst Calland, Ms. Hamilton was a shareholder with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC. She is a 2004 graduate of Notre Dame Law School.
May 8, 2023
Benjamin A. Kift recently joined Babst Calland as an associate in the Construction and Litigation groups. Mr. Kift focuses his practice on complex construction and commercial litigation matters. He represents contractors, subcontractors, owners, developers, design professionals, and construction companies in a broad range of matters arising from complex construction and development projects. Mr. Kift has extensive experience with Pennsylvania’s Mechanics’ Lien Law, and routinely prosecutes and defends lien claims. He also represents clients in breach of contract claims and payment disputes, and regularly appears before Pennsylvania state and federal courts. Additionally, he advises clients in the review, drafting, and negotiation of construction contracts.
Prior to joining Babst Calland, Mr. Kift was an associate with The Lynch Law Group LLC. He is a 2017 graduate of Duquesne University School of Law.
April 18, 2023
Christina Manfredi McKinley, a shareholder in Babst Calland’s Litigation, Energy & Natural Resources, and Environmental groups, was selected by The Legal Intelligencer as a “2023 Lawyer on the Fast Track” in Pennsylvania.
A graduate of The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law, Ms. McKinley continually strives to provide business-oriented solutions to her clients and routinely serves as a general advisor, counseling clients on day-to-day legal and business matters on any number of issues. Her business-focused, proactive approach to problem-solving allows her to provide solutions to clients in a variety of industries. Her experience spans a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, retail, energy, chemicals, and environmental.
As a litigator who focuses on complex commercial matters, Ms. McKinley’s trial practice encompasses all phases of litigation, from early alternative dispute resolution through post-trial motions. She has concentrated experience in complex purchase agreement and commercial contracts disputes, protection of competitive interests (e.g., Lanham Act, unfair competition, tortious interference, trade secret protection, restrictive covenants), technology disputes (e.g., software services and license agreements), and corporate governance.
The Legal Intelligencer asked the Pennsylvania legal community to submit nominations for the annual Lawyers on the Fast Track honors. After reviewing their results, a six-member judging panel composed of evaluators from all corners of the legal profession and the state selected 29 attorneys as the 2023 Lawyers on the Fast Track. 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.