The PLDIC’s Corporate Roundtable will present a free virtual CLE, “Remote Work/Return to Work and DEI Implications,” sponsored by Babst Calland on Friday, October 18 from 12-1:30 p.m. PLDIC Board member Don Bluedorn joins a panel discussion to discuss the webinar’s presentation about current research and data on this topic. The event will offer 1.5 hours in PA CLE Credit.
For more information, click here.
Babst Calland is pleased to announce that two lawyers were selected as 2025 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 2025 Best Lawyers in America® “Lawyer of the Year” include:
Blaine A. Lucas, Litigation – Land Use and Zoning “Lawyer of the Year” in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Timothy M. Miller, Litigation – Environmental “Lawyer of the Year” in Charleston, W. Va.
View the award recipients here.
In addition, 40 Babst Calland lawyers were selected for inclusion in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, the most respected peer-reviewed publications in the legal profession:
View the award recipients here.
17 Babst Calland lawyers were also named to the 2025 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:
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.
Firm Announces Strategic Partnership with Former PIT General Counsel Jeff Immel
Babst Calland announced today its plan to expand the firm’s capabilities in its Aerospace, Aviation and Airports practice through a strategic partnership with Jeff Immel, former general counsel of the Allegheny County Airport Authority (ACAA), the operator of Pittsburgh International Airport and Allegheny County Airport, and experienced aviation and aerospace attorney.
Prior to joining ACAA, Immel served as the head of U.S. aviation regulatory and legal affairs for Zipline International Inc. where he provided legal counsel in obtaining and maintaining all federal approvals necessary to begin unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) commercial package delivery operations in the U.S. He also served as the primary legal and regulatory counsel to Amazon Prime Air and Amazon Air and was an associate attorney for Jenner & Block and Jones Day where he advised clients on various aspects of aviation regulation and emerging technologies law. Prior to attending law school, Immel served in the United States Navy as a combat fighter pilot, where he achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
Led by Justine Kasznica, Babst Calland currently actively supports the mission and vision of the growing space industry in the region, and currently serves as general counsel for various aerospace contractors and suppliers and non-profit space organizations. Babst Calland is also in partnership with the Department of Defense and U.S. Space Force’s AFWERX/SpaceWERX hub in Pittsburgh, and is a founding member of the Pittsburgh-based Keystone Space Collaborative and the Moonshot Museum,
“We look forward to partnering with Jeff on many new endeavors as we forge new pathways in the aerospace, aviation and airport industries and helping our existing clients in these sectors to grow and expand,” said Justine Kasznica, shareholder, and chair of Babst Calland’s Emerging Technologies practice.
With demonstrated experience as a naval aviator flying in combat, an in-house attorney, airport general counsel, and legal and business advisor to multiple clients in the aviation and technologies industries, Immel is affiliating with Babst Calland to broaden its capabilities to meet the evolving and dynamic legal and regulatory challenges facing these highly regulated fields.
“Aviation, airport, and aerospace law are complex and rapidly evolving disciplines and demand quick answers to difficult problems. Joining forces with Babst Calland’s multidisciplinary legal and regulatory team is a welcome opportunity to focus on the complex needs and expectations of companies with emerging technologies,” said Immel.
“Partnering with Jeff further represents Babst Calland’s commitment to continue to meet the legal and regulatory needs of our clients,” said Donald C. Bluedorn II, Managing Shareholder. “Jeff is well-known in the industry and has a great reputation among local, state and federal regulatory agencies. We’re very pleased to have him as part of our team.”
Babst Calland participated in the Cook County Bar Association (CCBA) Minority Law Student Job Fair in Chicago on July 23, 2024. The CCBA Job Fair attracts hundreds of law students with the of goal of connecting talented minority candidates with legal employers that value diversity. Babst Calland was represented at the CCBA Job Fair by Varun Shekhar, shareholder in the Firm’s Environmental and Pipeline Safety sections.
Morgan M. Madden recently joined Babst Calland as an associate in the Energy and Natural Resources, Public Sector and Employment and Labor groups. Ms. Madden represents traditional and renewable energy industry clients in land use and other local regulatory matters. She also has served as a solicitor for several Pennsylvania municipalities and municipal authorities. Ms. Madden provides a wide range of services to clients in both the public and private sectors, with an emphasis on land use, zoning, planning, labor and employment advice, and litigation.
Prior to joining Babst Calland, Ms. Madden served as an associate with Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC. She is a 2017 graduate of Widener University Delaware Law School.
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.”
Babst Calland partnered with the Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition (PLDIC) to sponsor and host an event designed for law students who identify as diverse. This event, called “Ask Us Anything,” was a panel discussion, followed by a networking reception, where over a dozen Pittsburgh law students had the opportunity to meet in-house attorneys from various companies and to ask them anything. The panelists included Ariell Antonio, Highmark Health; Jamie Fargo, PNC; David Ross, Giant Eagle, Inc.; Keysha Taylor, BNY; Tony Thompson, Dollar Bank (& PLDIC Board Vice Chair); and Chaton Turner, UPMC. For more information, click here.
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
Pennsylvania
West Virginia
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.
Babst Calland is pleased to announce that the following attorneys were selected to the 2024 Super Lawyers’ Rising Stars® lists, published by Thomson Reuters. Only 2.5% of attorneys from each state are selected to receive the Rising Stars® designation for any given year, an honor reserved for those attorneys who exhibit excellence in practice. To be eligible for inclusion in the Rising Stars® list, a candidate must be either 40 years old or younger or in practice for 10 years or less. The multi-factor selection process includes independent research, peer nominations and evaluations, as well as professional achievement in legal practice.
Pennsylvania Rising Stars®
Kathleen H. Cooper – Shareholder, Mergers & Acquisitions
Casey Alan Coyle – Shareholder, Business Litigation
Andrew C. DeGory – Associate, Business Litigation
Alexandra G. Farone – Associate, Employment & Labor
Anna S. Jewart – Associate, Land Use & Zoning
James D. Mazzocco – Associate, Environmental Litigation
Christina Manfredi McKinley – Shareholder, Business Litigation
Joshua S. Snyder – Shareholder, Civil Litigation
Washington, D.C. Rising Stars®
Amanda L. Brosy – Associate, Environmental
Gina Falaschi Buchman – Shareholder, Environmental
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.
Daniel R. Richey recently joined Babst Calland as a shareholder in the Corporate and Commercial and Emerging Technologies groups. Mr. Richey provides counsel across multiple industries, focusing on private equity, emerging technology, software, energy, fintech, life sciences, telecommunications and entertainment.
Mr. Richey represents investor groups, family offices, private equity and venture funds, independent sponsors and operating companies in a variety of complex corporate transactions, including financial and strategic mergers and acquisitions, early-stage venture investments, and platform formations, add-ons and roll-ups. He also negotiates public and private capital markets transactions, including private securities offerings and alternative equity financing, including PIPE and RDO investments and ATM and ADR facilities.
In compliance matters, Mr. Richey helps clients navigate federal, state and non-governmental regulatory regimes, including under SEC and FINRA rules, state securities regulations, and NYSE and Nasdaq exchange rules. Mr. Richey also advises public companies in proxy and fiduciary matters, has counseled not-for-profit business trade associations in governance and general corporate matters, and provides comprehensive outside general counsel services. He also regularly advises clients on data privacy and cybersecurity practices and policies.
Mr. Richey’s commercial practice includes software and SaaS licensing agreements, manufacturing, storage, distribution, wholesale, advertising and agency and other commercial service agreements and transactions, as well as restrictive covenants and consumer-facing terms of service, privacy and cybersecurity policies and clickthrough agreements.
Prior to joining Babst Calland, Mr. Richey was an associate with McGuireWoods LLP. He is a 2012 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
Angela M. Harrod recently joined Babst Calland as an associate in the Construction and Litigation groups. Ms. Harrod has a broad range of experience representing corporate clients in matters including breach of contract, unfair trade practices, and complex litigation.
Ms. Harrod represents contractors, subcontractors, owners, developers, design professionals, and construction companies in a broad range of matters arising from complex construction and development projects. She has experience with Pennsylvania’s Mechanics’ Lien Law, and routinely prosecutes and defends lien claims. Ms. Harrod also represents clients in contractual and payment disputes.
Bryan M. Seigworth recently joined Babst Calland as a shareholder in the Corporate and Commercial and Emerging Technologies groups. Mr. Seigworth acts as outside general counsel for clients across multiple industries with a focus in the manufacturing, life sciences, and software as a service (SaaS).
Mr. Seigworth negotiates a broad array of commercial and real estate agreements on behalf of his clients and prepares agreements governing all aspects of the manufacturing relationship, including contract, toll, and private label manufacturing; build-to-print and design and spec fabrication; engineering and development services; exclusive relationships; vendor-managed inventory arrangements; teaming relationships and joint ventures; and independent representative services. He also advises clients on regulatory obligations governing their manufacturing activities, including under the FAR/DFARs, ITAR, and FDA cGMP regulations.
Mr. Seigworth assists life sciences clients in negotiating agreements for technology development, collaboration, licensing, and transfer; product and service co-promotion and marketing; consulting arrangements; investigator-initiated studies; turnkey offerings; product distribution; and reseller arrangements. He routinely advises clients with respect to HIPAA compliance and other data security and privacy obligations, as well as applicable healthcare regulations.
Mr. Seigworth also regularly negotiates agreements for software as a service (SaaS) offerings; software development, licensing, and transfer; professional services; and confidentiality obligations. He assists software providers in complying with their data privacy and security obligations, including under US and EU data privacy laws.
In addition to his commercial and regulatory practice, Mr. Seigworth advises clients in connection with their acquisition and sale of businesses and product lines. Before focusing his practice on commercial and corporate transactions, Mr. Seigworth was a commercial and intellectual property litigator. He also relies on his in-house counsel experience when helping clients operationalize strategies designed to mitigate commercial and regulatory risk.
Prior to joining Babst Calland, Mr. Seigworth was the founder of Seigworth Law Group. He is a 2004 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.