Devlin E. Carey recently joined Babst Calland as an associate in the Litigation Group. Mr. Carey practices in a variety of litigation practice areas, including commercial, energy and natural resources, environmental and employment and labor.
Prior to joining Babst Calland, Mr. Carey was an associate with Shearman & Sterling in New York City. He is a 2021 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School.
Attorney Justine Kasznica who is also a Founding Board Member of the Moonshot Museum, led its grand opening on October 15. Babst Calland is honored to support and partner with the museum as Pennsylvania’s first space museum and first museum in the world focused on career readiness for the 21st century space industry.
Babst Calland announced that Attorney Sloane Wildman has joined the firm’s Washington, D.C. office as a shareholder and member of its Environmental practice group.
Sloane Wildman’s practice involves CERCLA and RCRA site remediation and counseling clients in all aspects of environmental law and regulation, including RCRA, CERCLA/EPCRA release reporting, Safe Drinking Water Act, TSCA, FIFRA, green marketing, the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act. She represents clients in administrative, civil judicial and criminal enforcement cases. Her wide-ranging RCRA experience includes counseling, defense of enforcement actions and permitting and encompasses all aspects of federal and state hazardous waste regulation, including solid and hazardous waste identification, generation, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal, closure and corrective action matters.
Ms. Wildman earned her J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and received her undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College.
Ms. Wildman is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and California (inactive) and before the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of California. She is a member of the District of Columbia Bar Association’s Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Section and the American Bar Association’s Natural Resources, Energy and Natural Resources Section.
Justine Kasznica will be a panelist on the Small Business Presentation panel to speak from her role as a lawyer who helps space and other technology businesses/individuals designed soon-to-be proprietary information operate in the tech transfer space, especially individuals and companies in the early stages of idea development moving out of their lab and into the commercial realm.
In his testimony on September 20, 2022 at the Pennsylvania House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee public hearing regarding “Wellhead to Stovetop – Conveying Energy in PA,” Babst Calland Attorney Keith Coyle, chair of the Marcellus Shale Coalition’s Pipeline Safety Workgroup, discussed the role and contribution of natural gas in the energy sector, and the importance of pipelines as a means of transporting natural gas from the wellhead to consumers. He urged the Committee to recognize the importance of the natural gas industry and offered thoughts on the policies that should be considered in securing Pennsylvania’s energy future.
He explained, “Policies that impose unnecessary barriers on natural gas production or that prohibit the installation of pipeline infrastructure will create an energy system that is far less secure, particularly in the short term. The basic needs of everyday Americans cannot be met if one-third of the country’s primary energy production is unavailable or cannot be safely and reliably delivered to consumers. Nor can the needs of the Commonwealth’s citizens be met without the natural gas that heats its homes and runs its power plants. As the recent developments in Europe show, policies that fail to account for the energy needs of a modern society are not progressive and often cause the greatest harm to those who are the most vulnerable.”
To view the live stream video of the House Environmental Resources & Energy Committee’s public hearing regarding “Wellhead to Stovetop – Conveying Energy in PA, click here.
Only automobile dealerships can sell you a car in many states. Electric-vehicle startup Rivian wants that to end, and it’s Jim Chen’s job to make that happen. It won’t be easy.
To view this article in the Wall Street Journal online edition, click here.
Sean McGovern was selected to Leadership Pittsburgh 2022-2023 Cohort. Leadership Pittsburgh Inc. is the local independent nonprofit that is best known for serving as the region’s premier
community leadership, identification, connection and development organization.
It’s the 39th cohort to take part in the flagship, highly-selective program, which includes 10 months of curriculum focused around examining the region’s most pressing issues. The program will kick off in mid-September with a reception at the Duquesne Club, followed by an opening retreat later in the month. Then, the class will convene monthly for daylong sessions. The program will wrap up in June 2023.
“The participants selected for LP XXXIX represent a diverse cross-section of our community at significant levels of influence,” Jenn Beer, CEO of Leadership Pittsburgh, said in a release. “We are honored that leaders of this caliber believe that civic leadership engagement in our community matters. The commitment to participating in Leadership Pittsburgh will strengthen bonds and networks between the participants, their organizations and the region.”
In total, 58 individuals were named to the cohort.
Attorneys Susanna Bagdasarova and Joseph A. Pope recently joined Babst Calland.
Susanna Bagdasarova joins the Corporate and Commercial and Emerging Technologies groups as an associate. She represents business clients in connection with a broad range of general corporate and commercial law matters, including entity formation, corporate structuring, corporate governance, commercial contracts, and mergers and acquisitions, with a focus on the technology sector. Prior to joining Babst Calland, Ms. Bagdasarova was an associate with Jones Day. She graduated summa cum laude from The Pennsylvania State University, The Dickinson School of Law in 2015.
Joseph Pope joins the Corporate and Commercial Group as senior counsel. Mr. Pope’s practice focuses on corporate and transactional matters, including corporate and commercial finance transactions, with a particular focus on transactions involving commercial real estate. Prior to joining Babst Calland, he was a senior attorney with Hergenroeder Rega Ewing & Kennedy. Mr. Pope graduated cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 2008.
Emily A. Davis recently joined Babst Calland as an associate in the Litigation and Energy and Natural Resources groups. Ms. Davis has experience in federal and state courts and arbitrations, litigating complex matters for oil and gas producers and midstream companies. Her practice includes representing clients in litigation concerning a variety of matters including class actions, royalty disputes, title disputes, claims concerning underground storage and pipeline operations, and trespass claims.
Prior to joining Babst Calland, Ms. Davis was an associate at Reed Smith LLP. She is a 2017 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
Attorney Alex Farone who is also the Co-Chair of the Allegheny County Bar Association’s Communications Committee of the Young Lawyer’s Division and the Editor and Chief of its “Point of Law” Newsletter led the newsletter to receive a 2022 American Bar Association Award of Achievement. This award is presented to projects submitted by local, state and national ABA YLD Affiliates for well-planned, and executed, programs that contribute significantly to the public and the betterment of the legal profession. Recognition is determined by a jury of their peers.
View the “Point of Law” Newsletter, here.
View the Spring 2022 issue, here.
Attorney Casey Alan Coyle recently joined Babst Calland as a shareholder and member of its Litigation Group. Mr. Coyle will be based in Harrisburg, Pa.
Mr. Coyle concentrates his practice on appellate law and complex commercial litigation. He frequently represents clients in state and federal appellate courts, with a particular emphasis on appeals before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Over his career, he has represented either a party or an amicus curiae in 15 appeals before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Mr. Coyle has also successfully petitioned the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to grant review of an appeal—commonly known as “allocatur”—on six different occasions. In addition, he has presented oral argument before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, and Pennsylvania Superior Court. Before entering private practice, Mr. Coyle served for over two years as a law clerk for the Honorable Thomas G. Saylor, Chief Justice Emeritus of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
“We’re very pleased to have Casey as part our Litigation team. He is a highly accomplished litigator representing clients in matters pending before state and federal appellate courts,” said Donald Bluedorn, Babst Calland’s Managing Shareholder. “Casey’s proven experience and track record in appeals before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court will be an invaluable contribution to our Firm, and most importantly for our clients.”
Mr. Coyle also regularly represents businesses in disputes pending before state and federal trial courts. His practice has focused on cases involving theft of trade secrets, non-competition/non-solicitation agreements, shareholder litigation, emergency injunctions, breach of contract, and breach of fiduciary duties. In addition, he has represented clients in matters brought before the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court as part of its original jurisdiction.
“I look forward to serving the expanding needs of my clients and working with a well-respected legal team who shares my values, experience, and philosophy, and a proactive approach to business-focused problem-solving and client service,” said Coyle.
Prior to joining Babst Calland, Mr. Coyle was a partner at Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC. He is a 2009 graduate of Temple University Beasley School of Law.
Babst Calland is pleased to announce that three lawyers were selected as 2023 Best Lawyers “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 2023 Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” include:
Blaine A. Lucas, Litigation – Land Use and Zoning “Lawyer of the Year” in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Timothy M. Miller, Oil and Gas Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Charleston, W.Va.
Mychal Sommer Schulz, Litigation – ERISA “Lawyer of the Year” in Charleston, W.Va.
In addition, 31 Babst Calland lawyers were selected for inclusion in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America (by BL Rankings), the most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession:
11 Babst Calland lawyers were also named to the 2023 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America list which recognizes associates and other lawyers who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States:
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.
West Virginia Attorney Joseph Bunn has joined Babst Calland’s Charleston office as a shareholder and member of its Corporate and Commercial practice group.
Mr. Bunn focuses his practice in financial transactions, mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures. He also counsels clients in other strategic areas such as corporate governance issues and miscellaneous contracts. Over the course of his practice, Joe has negotiated and drafted numerous transactions for buyers and sellers ranging in size from approximately $10 million to $325 million.
“Joe Bunn is well-known in industry in West Virginia and across the country. We’re very pleased to have him as part our team,” said Don Bluedorn, Babst Calland’s Managing Shareholder. “His proven experience in working with clients in the energy industry is a great fit for our Firm, and most importantly for our clients.”
“I am excited to be joining a well-respected legal team in West Virginia representing such a wide range of clients in West Virginia and throughout the country,” said Bunn.
Mr. Bunn earned his J.D. from West Virginia University, and received his undergraduate degree from William & Mary. He is a member of the American Bar Association, and is the Chairman of the Coal Subcommittee of the West Virginia State Bar.
Prior to obtaining his law degree, he worked for a Fortune 500 company and a middle market company where he served numerous roles involving strategic planning, capital raises, and acquisitions and divestitures.
Janet K. Meub recently joined Babst Calland as senior counsel in the Litigation and Employment and Labor groups. Ms. Meub has significant experience in the areas of employment and labor law, professional liability defense, insurance coverage and bad faith litigation, toxic tort litigation, nursing home negligence, and medical malpractice defense. She has a diversified practice that includes defending employers, healthcare providers, law enforcement and other professionals, and non-profits, at all levels of civil litigation through trial. She routinely counsels non-profit clients on employment matters including discrimination, wage and hour, FMLA and represents employers in PHRC/EEOC matters and at unemployment compensation hearings.
Prior to joining Babst Calland, Ms. Meub was a principal at Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote. She is a 2001 graduate of Duquesne University School of Law.
Babst Calland congratulates Attorney Tim Miller as the recipient of this year’s Energy & Mineral Law Foundation John L. McClaugherty Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the Foundation and the field of energy and mineral law. Each year, EMLF recognizes leaders who have shaped EMLF, and who are recognized as industry and community leaders.
To view the EMLF award presentation, click here.