Francesca C. (Cella) Iovino recently joined Babst Calland as an associate in the Litigation Group. Ms. Iovino’s experience encompasses all phases of litigation from initial pleadings through trial and appeal in the state and federal courts. She has handled a variety of complex commercial disputes, involving breach of contract, breach of warranty, shareholder disputes and oppression claims and business torts. Ms. Iovino also has represented clients in financial servicing issues, debt collection and lender liability matters, trade secret misappropriation and restrictive covenants. In addition, her experience includes handling estates and trusts litigation, real estate matters, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, and domestic and international arbitrations. Ms. Iovino also has a background representing clients in complex employment disputes related to discrimination claims, harassment claims, wrongful termination, wage and hour violations, and unionization.
Prior to joining the Firm, Ms. Iovino was an associate at Jackson Lewis P.C. and formerly an associate in the commercial litigation group with Metz Lewis Brodman Must O’Keefe. She is a 2017 graduate of Duquesne University School of Law.
Babst Calland announced the lateral move of established West Virginia attorney Ramonda C. Marling who will be joining as a Shareholder in the firm’s office in downtown Charleston.
Effective today, Ms. Marling is joining forces with Babst Calland senior-level legal counsel in its Litigation and Energy and Natural Resources practice areas. Ms. Marling primarily represents clients in litigation and commercial matters. She has extensive experience in complex, high-dollar commercial litigation matters representing natural gas producers, midstream companies, coal companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, tobacco companies and other corporations.
Stefanie Pitcavage Mekilo has been selected for the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg’s 2025 Tribute to Women of Excellence (TWE) Award as a member of the TWE Class of 2025. This regionally recognized, annual award recognizes leading female professionals and community volunteers who have devoted their time and energy to making Central Pennsylvania a better place to live and work.
An award ceremony will be held at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center on March 26, 2025. This year marks the 36th Anniversary of the Tribute to Women of Excellence event, at which well over 785 outstanding women who have made significant contributions to their communities and/or organizations have been honored.
Alexandra Graf
Katerina Vassil
Alexandra N. Graf and Katerina P. Vassil recently joined law firm Babst Calland.
Ms. Graf joins Babst Calland’s Environmental Group as an associate. She assists clients with matters encompassing a broad range of environmental issues, including those related to federal and state permitting, regulatory compliance, transactional due diligence, resolving liabilities under federal and state remediation programs, and environmental litigation. Ms. Graf is a 2024 graduate of the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University.
Ms. Vassil joins the Firm’s Litigation Group as an associate. She represents clients in a variety of litigation practice areas, including commercial, energy and natural resources, environmental, and employment and labor. Ms. Vassil is a 2024 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
In her recent article To Infinity and Beyond? Pa. Supreme Court Casts Doubt Upon Presumptive Constitutional Limit for Punitive Damages with Casey Coyle and Austin Rodgers, Stefanie Mekilo discusses a recent ruling from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. To view the full article, click here.
In her recent article Where Can a Corporation Be Sued for, Well, Anything? with Joseph Schaeffer, Christina McKinley explains why the Mallory decision is undoubtedly a significant development in the Supreme Court’s personal jurisdiction jurisprudence (and a significant shift, depending on perspective). But its practical impact remains to be seen. Only Pennsylvania has enacted a statute requiring out-of-state corporations to consent to general jurisdiction as a condition for registering to do business in the Commonwealth, and it is far from assured that the other states will follow suit. To view the full article, click here.
In her recent alert Where Can a Corporation Be Sued For, Well, Anything? (An Evolving Test) with Joseph Schaeffer, Christina McKinley explains why the Mallory decision is undoubtedly a significant development in the Supreme Court’s personal jurisdiction jurisprudence (and a significant shift, depending on perspective). But its practical impact remains to be seen. Only Pennsylvania has enacted a statute requiring out-of-state corporations to consent to general jurisdiction as a condition for registering to do business in the Commonwealth, and it is far from assured that the other states will follow suit. To view the full alert, click here.
Litigation Attorney Katrina Bowers will co-present “Devil’s Advocate: Crossing the Line of Zealous Advocacy” at EMLF’s 44th Annual Institute on Monday. June 19, 2023. As zealous advocates, attorneys dance on the blade of aggressive advocacy and persuasion. This presentation will explore this delicate dance through the lens of real-life examples. For more information, click here.
In their recent alert Supreme Court Removes Barrier to Appeals of “Purely Legal” Issues Christina McKinley and Alex Farone explain the ruling made last week in Dupree v. Younger. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a summary judgment ruling can be appealed based on a purely legal issue without filing a post-trial motion to preserve the issue. To view the full alert, click here.
Babst Calland welcomes Erin Lucas Hamilton as a shareholder in the Firm’s Litigation practice. Her 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. She also provides legal counsel on best business practices, employment matters, risk mitigation and legal and regulatory compliance.
Christina Manfredi McKinley was recently appointed to the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) Pittsburgh’s Future Corporate Leaders Board. The ACG Pittsburgh was established in 1985 and promotes the professional and business interests of its 300+ members through quality programs, education, and networking. Members include CEOs, CFOs, equity group managers, business buyers, bankers, strategic planners, investment bankers, lawyers, and accountants. For more information, click here.
Christina Manfredi McKinley was recently appointed to the Local Rules Advisory Committee for the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Comprised of a group of bar members, this Committee works with the federal court to review and propose changes to the Court’s local rules and procedures.
This is the second 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 Kathy Condo.
To view the profile on Kathy, click here.