News

News for January 2012

January 1, 2012

Babst Calland Names Antol, Channel, Korbel and Schoonover Shareholders

Babst Calland, one of the region’s leading law firms, recently named Sara M. Antol, Christopher S. Channel, Stephen L. Korbel and Timothy A. Schoonover  shareholders in the firm.

Ms. Antol is a member of the firm’s Business Services Group. Her practice areas include mergers, acquisitions and divestitures; business planning and structuring; routine and complex commercial contracts in, among other areas, technology and telecommunications; development and licensing arrangements; teaming, distribution, reseller and original equipment manufacturer relationships; public company securities compliance; executive compensation programs and employment and non-competition agreements; and general business counseling. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Antol served as general counsel of Tollgrade Communications, Inc., a Pittsburgh-based, publicly-traded telecommunications equipment and software supplier. Ms. Antol is a 1990 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

Mr. Channel is a member of the firm’s Litigation Services Group. His practice includes commercial and intellectual property litigation. He has represented numerous individuals and corporations in cases involving covenants not to compete and trade secrets. Mr. Channel has also represented corporations, artists and photographers in intellectual property matters involving copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets. He has defended numerous products liability, premises liability and negligence claims on behalf of hospitals, a wood products manufacturer and industrial equipment manufacturers. Mr. Channel has experience with a number of Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms including arbitration, mediation and use of neutral evaluator. He is a 2002 graduate of the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary.

Mr. Korbel is a member of the firm’s Employment and Labor Services and the Public Sector Services Groups. He counsels public and private employers in all aspects of the employment relationship, from hiring through termination. Mr. Korbel advises clients on employment discrimination issues and rights, workplace harassment, disability accommodation, Family & Medical Leave Act compliance, employee handbooks, workplace investigations, disciplinary action, employment agreements, restrictive covenants, and waivers and releases. He is a 2002 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

Mr. Schoonover, who is based in the firm’s State College office, is a member of the firm’s Natural Resources Development, Litigation and Public Sector Services Groups. He has practiced law in the Centre County region since 1997 in both private practice and the corporate setting. Mr. Schoonover has significant experience with Marcellus Shale related issues, including contract matters and land use litigation issues. His practice also includes the areas of real estate, corporate/business law, municipal law, litigation, estate planning and estate administration. Mr. Schoonover is a 1995 graduate of the Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law.

News for December 2011

December 8, 2011

Fornella Elected President of Western PA Chapter of Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America 

Leonard Fornella, an attorney in Babst Calland’s Litigation Group, was recently elected as President of the Board of Trustees of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America Western Pennsylvania/West Virginia Chapter. His practice focuses primarily in the areas of admiralty and maritime law, labor and employment law and general commercial litigation on behalf of corporations and other business entities.

The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to finding the cure for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases.  It was founded in 1967 and the Western Pennsylvania/West Virginia Chapter offices are at 300 Penn Center Boulevard, Suite # 401, Pittsburgh, PA, 15235.

News for november 2011

November 29, 2011

Schulberg Named as Nation Director of AAPL

Babst Calland, one of the region’s leading law firms, recently announced the appointment of Attorney Arnold Schulberg, Of Counsel, as the National Director from the Michael Late Benedum Chapter of the American Association of Professional Landmen (AAPL) to the national organization’s Board of Directors. The Michael Late Benedum Chapter is part of Region II of the AAPL.

The AAPL is a professional organization that unites approximately 12,000 landmen and land-related persons through professional development and service. AAPL's mission is to promote the highest standards of performance for all land professionals, to advance their stature and to encourage sound stewardship of energy and mineral resources. AAPL members work for major oil companies, large and small independent companies and as self-employed independent landmen. AAPL is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, and has 43 affiliated local associations throughout the United States and Canada.

Landmen constitute the business side of the oil and gas and mineral exploration and production team. Company landmen negotiate deals and trades with other companies and individuals, draft contracts (and administer their compliance), acquire leases and ensure compliance with governmental regulations.

News for October 2011

October 31, 2011

Marc Felezzola, Meredith Odato and Christina Pro Join the Firm

Marc J. Felezzola, Meredith A. Odato and Christina Pro recently joined downtown Pittsburgh law firm Babst Calland as associates. Mr. Felezzola an ‘11 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law will join the Litigation and Construction Services Groups; Ms. Odato also an ‘11 graduate of the University Pittsburgh School of Law will join the Environmental, Health and Safety Services and Natural Resources Groups; and Ms. Pro an ‘11 graduate of Duquesne University School of Law will join the Business Services Group.

News for August 2011

August 17, 2011

Winek Appointed to Department of Environmental Protection’s Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee

Michael H. Winek, a shareholder in the Environmental, Health and Safety Services Group of Babst Calland, a downtown Pittsburgh law firm, recently was appointed as a member of the Department of Environmental Protection’s Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee (AQTAC) for a two-year term. Mr. Winek, a 1993 graduate of Duquesne University School of Law, has extensive experience in a wide range of environmental regulatory programs, with an emphasis on regulatory issues arising under the Clean Air Act. He devotes a substantial amount of time advising clients on complex air permitting for plant expansions and projects. In addition to new source permitting, Mr. Winek advises industrial clients with respect to Title V operating permits, Compliance Assurance Monitoring (CAM) requirements, and self-reporting and compliance certification issues arising under the Title V program. Mr. Winek provides environmental due diligence services and advice as part of acquisitions involving industrial facilities. He represents various industrial facilities in air enforcement cases.

AQTAC members are appointed by the Secretary of Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and include at least 11 members with technical backgrounds in the control of air pollution from stationary or mobile sources. AQTAC members advise DEP on the technical and economic or other social impacts of existing, new or proposed revisions to pollution control regulations, policies and new control techniques or technologies affecting air. AQTAC, at the request of DEP, may be utilized to provide technical advice on or to review DEP policies, guidance and regulations needed to implement the Clean Air Act. AQTAC also facilitates public participation by encouraging public input on the air quality technical matters under consideration at the Committee meetings.

August 10, 2011

Benjamin J. Bolinger Joins Babst Calland’s Business Services Group

Babst Calland, one of the region’s leading law firms, recently announced the addition of Benjamin J. Bolinger as an associate in its Business Services Group.

Ben Bolinger’s practice includes real estate and natural resource law. He concentrates on issues concerning oil and gas well development, including title analysis and leasing issues for natural gas well developers. Mr. Bolinger was formerly with Delaney, Dougherty and Fritz, P.C., an oil and gas boutique firm. He earned his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School in 2010 and his B.A. from Robert E. Cook Honors College at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2007.  While in undergrad Mr. Bolinger worked as a title abstractor for natural gas leases in western Pennsylvania.