Litigation Attorney Austin Rogers was named 2025 Young Lawyer of the Year by the Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia at its Annual Meeting. This award is given to a member of the DTCWV who has practiced five years or less (or is under the age of 36) and has, by his or her ethical, personal, and professional conduct, shown exemplary achievement in the legal profession, and/or who has contributed time and expertise to the DTCWV.
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.
Ethan F. Johnson recently joined Babst Calland as an associate in the Environmental Group. His practice involves counseling clients on federal and state environmental regulatory compliance matters, representing clients involved in complex Superfund and other environmental remediations, and advising on environmental aspects of corporate transactions.
Prior to joining the Firm, Mr. Johnson practiced at a law firm in Maine where he gained substantial environmental regulatory and litigation experience, including litigating one of the largest Superfund cleanups in the country. In addition, he advised businesses and municipalities on PFAS regulations, assisted a solar development company with construction law, and advised clients on land use, permitting, and environmental compliance.
Mr. Johnson is a 2020 graduate of Vermont Law and Graduate School.
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.
She has represented natural gas producers in litigation involving class action royalty disputes, lease disputes, trespass (including subsurface trespass) and nuisance matters; midstream companies in trespass; coal companies in contract disputes; employment and deliberate intent matters; tobacco companies in product liability matters; mining companies in safety and health matters; coal broker in international contract dispute; and brokerage firms and investment advisors against claims of fraud, misrepresentation, and violations of federal and state laws. Ms. Marling also has first chair trial and appellate experience.
“We are very pleased to welcome Ramonda to Babst Calland to support our strategy to continue to expand our senior-level legal counseling team to serve the needs of existing and new clients in the region. She is a natural fit for us as she shares our values, experience and philosophy in serving clients, some with whom we already have business relationships,” said Donald C. Bluedorn II, managing shareholder of Babst Calland.
“It is an exciting time for me to join Babst Calland’s team of well-regarded attorneys in West Virginia and become part of a firm where the energy business is a significant force,” said Ms. Marling.
Commenting on her lateral move to the firm, Charleston-based attorney and co-chair of the Babst Energy Litigation practice, Timothy M. Miller said, “As a litigator who focuses on energy law and commercial litigation, I am pleased that Ramonda will be joining our team in representing clients, particularly in the energy industry where she has more than 15 years’ experience. I have known Ramonda for many years and am excited that she will bring her extensive experience in West Virginia and Ohio to our firm.”
Law firm Babst Calland recently named James D. (JD) Mazzocco a shareholder in the Firm.
JD Mazzocco is a member of the Litigation and Environmental groups. His practice focuses on environmental and complex commercial litigation. His environmental litigation experience includes representing clients in environmental cost recovery cases and federal, state, and local environmental regulatory matters, including large-scale citizen suits and environmental class actions. Mr. Mazzocco has extensive experience representing clients in trials and hearings in federal and state courts, as well as before administrative bodies and arbitration panels.
His complex commercial litigation experience includes representing clients in a wide variety of matters, including toxic tort actions, contract and lease disputes, and premises liability actions.
Mr. Mazzocco is a 2014 graduate of Duquesne University School of Law. Mr. Mazzocco is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and before the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania and is a member of the Allegheny County Bar Association. In addition, Mr. Mazzocco is a member of the Junior Advisory Council of Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh.
Mr. Mazzocco has received a Best Lawyers®: Ones to Watch recognition from BL Rankings for Litigation – Environmental since 2021, Transportation Law since 2022, and Construction Law since 2024. He has also been selected to the Pennsylvania Rising Stars list (Thomson Reuters) since 2018.
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 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.
Babst Calland has been recognized in the 2025 edition of Best Law Firms®, ranked by Best Lawyers®, nationally in 8 practice areas and regionally in 38 practice areas:
- National Tier 2
- Environmental Law
- Land Use and Zoning Law
- Litigation – Construction
- Litigation – Environmental
- National Tier 3
- Energy Law
- Mining Law
- Natural Resources Law
- Oil and Gas Law
- Regional Tier 1
- Pittsburgh
- Bet-the-Company Litigation
- Commercial Litigation
- Construction Law
- Corporate Law
- Energy Law
- Environmental Law
- Land Use and Zoning Law
- Litigation – Construction
- Litigation – Environmental
- Litigation – Land Use and Zoning
- Municipal Law
- Natural Resources Law
- Water Law
- Charleston-WV
- Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
- Commercial Litigation
- Energy Law
- Environmental Law
- Litigation – Environmental
- Oil and Gas Law
- Regional Tier 2
- Pittsburgh
- Information Technology Law
- Labor Law – Management
- Real Estate Law
- Charleston-WV
- Arbitration
- Banking and Finance Law
- Commercial Transactions / UCC Law
- Corporate Law
- Mining Law
- Natural Resources Law
- Washington, D.C.
- Energy Law
- Environmental Law
- Litigation – Environmental
- Oil and Gas Law
- Regional Tier 3
- Pittsburgh
- Litigation – Labor and Employment
- Charleston-WV
- Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Bet-the-Company Litigation
- Litigation – ERISA
- Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Real Estate Law
Firms included in the 2025 Best Law Firms® list are recognized for professional excellence with impressive ratings from clients and peers. To be considered for this milestone achievement, at least one lawyer in the law firm must be recognized in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.
Achieving a ranking in Best Law Firms signifies high-quality legal practice and a depth of legal proficiency. Recognized firms, categorized into three tiers, receive acclaim on both national and metropolitan levels, reflecting the extent of their practice and geographic reach. Receiving a tier designation represents an elite status, reflecting the integrity and reputation earned by law firms.
Receiving a tier designation represents an elite status, integrity and reputation that law firms earn among other leading firms and lawyers. The 2025 edition of Best Law Firms® includes rankings in 75 national practice areas and 127 metropolitan-based practice areas. Additionally, one “Law Firm of the Year” was named in each nationally ranked practice area.
Click here to view the Best Law Firms® profile.
Latest Developments In Policies, Laws and Regulations Shaping the Future of Business and Industry
On October 16, 2024, Babst Calland hosted its inaugural Client CLE Day at Acrisure Stadium. This full-day continuing legal education (CLE) program addressed the latest developments in policies, laws, and regulations shaping the future of business and industry. Topics included challenges facing in-house counsel, climate change litigation, the politics of energy law, ethical considerations for internal investigations, the end of the modern administrative state, and much more. In addition to offering high-quality CLE programming, the event featured tours of Acrisure Stadium and a tailgate-themed networking reception.
Below are the topics discussed in the various sessions throughout the day representing the legal and regulatory perspectives of Babst Calland attorneys across a wide spectrum of legal practice areas:
- Appalachia Appeal: Pennsylvania and West Virginia Appellate Roundup
This CLE presented by attorneys Casey Coyle, Michael Libuser, and Robert Stonestreet provided a survey of important, headline-grabbing Pennsylvania and West Virginia civil appellate cases decided within the last two years or currently pending before an appellate court in either state. The topics of the appeals included nuclear verdicts, jurisdiction, venue, forum non conveniens, arbitration, environmental law, liability, royalty, and damages.
- Proactive Strategies to Prevent and Handle High-Stakes Environmental Litigation
This experienced panel, comprised of Babst Calland corporate attorney Ben Clapp, consultant Kurt Herman of Gradient, and Babst Calland litigators Jim Corbelli and Christina McKinley discussed the various considerations that inform environmental litigation concerns, from their inception (e.g., contractual negotiations and drafting) to their conclusion (e.g., through trial and appeals). The panel also discussed the implications of, and strategic calls presented by different fora, whether federal court or state tribunals. The discussion examined common and unique pitfalls in the process, as well as hypothetical scenarios.
- The Politics of Energy
A panel discussion about how upcoming elections on the national and local level may impact energy policy and development. The panel was moderated by Tim Miller, co-chair of Babst Calland’s Energy Litigation team, with analysis and commentary by Jim Curry, Managing Shareholder of the Washington, D.C. office of Babst Calland, and A. Moore Capito, recent candidate for Governor of West Virginia and former member of the West Virginia legislature.
- Breaking Down SCOTUS’ Recent Administrative Law Decisions: How (Loper) Bright Is the Future for Regulated Entities?
The final days of the Supreme Court’s October 2023 Term saw the issuance of major administrative law decisions that have the potential to reshape how the public and regulated entities interact with the federal government. Panelists Kevin Garber, Keith Coyle, and Stefanie Mekilo provided a comprehensive overview of that trio of decisions—Loper Bright v. Raimondo; Corner Post v. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; and SEC v. Jarkesy—and explored the new opportunities they could bring for regulated entities with robust discussion of what these decisions did (and did not) say, as well as what they mean for agency authority, adjudications, and enforcement actions moving forward.
- Key Developments in U.S. Climate Change-Related Litigation, Regulation, and Legislation
Panelists Gary Steinbauer, Varun Shekhar, and Gina Falaschi Buchman covered key recent developments in climate change law in the United States. In addition to a discussion of pending and recently decided state and federal cases, the panel discussed newly enacted and proposed climate-change legislation, proposed and promulgated regulations, rule challenges, and climate-related financial disclosure laws and regulations.
- Legal Ethics in the Age of AI: What In-House Counsel Need to Know
This session explored the intersection of legal ethics and artificial intelligence (AI) and the evolving landscape of AI and its implications for legal professionals. Panelists Chris Farmakis, Susanna Bagdasarova, and Justine Kasznica discussed the ethical challenges and opportunities facing both in-house and outside counsel when leveraging AI tools. Attendees gained practical insights into developing internal AI use policies and best practices and understanding and addressing key risks associated with AI implementation by employees and third-party vendors, including bias, intellectual property, data privacy, and cybersecurity.
- Inside the Investigation: Ethical Challenges in Internal Inquiries
“Inside the Investigation: Ethical Challenges in Internal Inquiries” was a panel discussion that delves into the nuts and bolts of internal corporate investigations, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how these inquiries are conducted from start to finish. Panelists Steve Antonelli, Erin Hamilton, and Carla Castello broke down key phases such as planning, evidence collection, interviewing, and reporting, providing practical insights and exploring common pitfalls, best practices, and strategies for navigating confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and privilege issues while adhering to professional conduct standards. This session aimed to equip legal professionals with the knowledge to effectively navigate the complexities of internal inquiries with confidence and precision.
- Challenges Facing In-House Counsel
In-house legal counsel have a unique role as both lawyers and business partners with their internal clients. As a result, they must often act as both legal and business advisors in navigating the challenges faced by their businesses; often at the same time and while justifying their status as cost centers versus capital creators. This panel, led by Babst Calland’s Jim Chen, formerly VP of Public Policy and Chief Regulatory Counsel of Rivian, with panelist Sara Antol, Babst Calland corporate and commercial attorney and former General Counsel of Tollgrade Communications, and special guests Jim Miller, COO and General Counsel of Mongiovi & Son and Jessica Sharrow Thompson, Senior Counsel EHS & Sustainability of PPG, examined the unique role of in-house counsel, the challenges they face and some of the ways panelists have creatively stood up to those challenges in creating value for their companies and themselves.
As developments in policies, laws, and regulations shape the future of businesses and industries, Babst Calland’s multidisciplinary team of attorneys continues to stay abreast of the many legal and regulatory challenges. For questions about any of the topics discussed, please contact the attorneys listed above. For more information about Babst Calland and our practices, locations and attorneys, visit babstcalland.com.
Attorney Susanna Bagdasarova was recently selected to Leadership Pittsburgh Inc.’s Leadership Development Initiative program. Susanna was among a diverse group of 49 members identified as high-potential, emerging leaders in the region who are poised to create significant impact in their organizations and communities. For more information, click here.
Babst Calland Attorney Christina Manfredi McKinley was recently elected to the Pittsburgh Board of Trustees of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Eastern Great Lakes Region. She will serve a three-year term beginning July 1, 2024.
“I’m honored to serve on the Pittsburgh Board of Trustees and am thrilled to be a part of the team. I look forward to supporting LLS in its mission to find cures and ensure patients can access the lifesaving treatments they need,” said Ms. McKinley.
According to Tina Thompson, Region Executive Director for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – Eastern Great Lakes Region, “Volunteer leaders like Christina help LLS advance our mission and change the landscape for all cancer patients and are a crucial link in our efforts to cure blood cancers and improve the quality of life of our patients and their families.”
Lucy E. Wiesner recently joined Babst Calland as an associate in the Litigation Group. Ms. Wiesner has a broad range of experience representing corporate clients in commercial disputes, shareholder disputes, and energy and natural resources litigation.
Prior to joining Babst Calland, Ms. Wiesner served as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Richard A. Lloret in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. She is a 2021 graduate of Temple University Beasley School of Law.
Babst Calland announces that five practice areas and 14 attorneys and recognized in the 2024 Chambers USA Guide. Of those, the Firm was ranked for the first time this year in Litigation: General Commercial in Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh & Surrounds, and USA – Nationwide – Energy: PHMSA Specialists.
Chambers rankings are a definitive mark of excellence across the legal industry for law firms and legal professionals. A ranking from Chambers shows that the firm has stood out in the most rigorous, independent and in-depth research process and has emerged as one of the best in the field. The qualities on which rankings are assessed include: technical legal ability; professional conduct; client service; commercial astuteness; diligence; commitment; and other qualities most valued by the client.
Firm Rankings:
Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh & Surrounds
- Litigation: General Commercial (Band 3)
Pennsylvania
- Environment (Band 1)
- Construction (Band 3)
West Virginia
- Energy & Natural Resources (Band 2)
- Environment (Band 2)
Lawyer Rankings:
USA – Nationwide – Energy: PHMSA Specialists
Pennsylvania – Environment
Pennsylvania – Construction
Pennsylvania – Litigation: Mediators
District of Columbia – Environment
West Virginia – Environment
West Virginia – Litigation: General Commercial
West Virginia – Energy & Natural Resources
Babst Calland has been ranked in the top 400 among the largest 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.
Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court designated Casey Coyle as the next Chair of the Supreme Court’s Civil Procedural Rules Committee, effective July 1, 2024. Established in 1937, the Civil Procedural Rules Committee is the oldest of the Supreme Court’s eight rules committees. The Civil Procedural Committee assists the Supreme Court in the preparation, revision, publication, and administration of the rules of civil procedure. This work includes the entire spectrum of civil matters in the Courts of Common Pleas except matters relating to Orphans’ Court and family court divisions of those courts. Casey—who is one of 13 members who currently serve on the Committee—concentrates his practice on complex commercial litigation and appellate law. He is a former law clerk to Chief Justice Emeritus Thomas G. Saylor of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
To view the Court’s Order, click here.