October 4, 2013
PITTSBURGH , PA – October 4, 2013 – Dean A. Calland, a founding shareholder of law firm Babst Calland, has been named an International Who’s Who of Environment Lawyer in 2013. Mr. Calland’s international practice consists primarily of complex acquisitions and divestitures for multi-national chemical and manufacturing clients.
Who’s Who Legal, as the official research partner of the International Bar Association and the strategic research partner of the American Bar Association Section of International Law, selects nominees based upon comprehensive, independent survey work with both general counsel and private practice lawyers worldwide. Only specialists who have met independent international research criteria are listed, and it is impossible to buy entry into this publication.
October 2, 2013
PITTSBURGH , PA – October 2, 2013 – Mark K. Dausch, an attorney at law firm Babst Calland, was selected by The Legal Intelligencer as one of only 38 “2013 Lawyers on the Fast Track” in Pennsylvania. A 2007 graduate of the Duquesne University School of Law, Mr. Dausch focuses his practice in the areas of commercial, products liability, toxic tort and environmental litigation. A sizeable portion of his litigation practice has involved defending clients in the natural resources and mining industry.
As lead trial counsel, Mr. Dausch has tried bench and jury trials to verdict and has represented clients in state and federal trial and appellate courts, alternative dispute resolution forums and before government agencies.
With the help of The Legal Intelligencer’s legal staff, a group of eight evaluation panelists from across the Commonwealth have selected from many nominations these 38 “Lawyers on the Fast Track” who not only excel as lawyers, but also serve as exemplary members of their communities and their profession. This recognition is only given to attorneys under the age of 40 who have demonstrated excellence in four categories: development of the law; advocacy and community contributions; service to the bar; and peer and public recognition.
August 13, 2013
PITTSBURGH, PA, August 13, 2013 – The following attorneys have recently joined the law firm of Babst Calland: Meredith L. Calfe, Sarah M. Carter, Morgan H. Condra, Brian M. John, Jeffrey J. Junstrom, James W. Kane, Meghan H. Libman, Joseph P. McCune, Elena L. Pollock and Brittany A. Roof as associates in the Title and Energy & Natural Resources Groups; Abigail Faulkner Jones as an associate in the Environmental Services Group; and Owen J. McGrann as an associate in the Litigation Services Group.
Meredith L. Calfe, a 2009 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, joins the firm from MW Garry & Associates. She counsels various energy, oil, gas and mineral-related clients on transaction matters as they relate to gas title issues and opinions.
Sarah M. Carter, a 2012 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, joins the firm from Sadler Law Firm LLP. Her practice focuses primarily on counseling various energy, oil, gas and mineral-related clients on transaction matters, including title examination, title curative, oil and gas title opinions and due diligence.
Morgan H. Condra, a 2009 graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles, School of Law, counsels various energy, oil, gas and mineral-related clients on transaction matters related to gas title issues and opinions.
Brian M. John, a 2010 graduate of Duquesne University School of Law, joins the firm from Steptoe & Johnson LLP. He counsels various energy, oil, gas and mineral-related clients on transaction matters as they relate to title issues, opinions and division orders.
Abigail Faulkner Jones, a 2011 graduate of Duke University School of Law assists clients on a wide variety of environmental matters.
Jeffrey J. Junstrom, a 2009 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, joins the firm from Chevron North America Exploration and Production Company. He specializes in title-related matters for coal and natural gas exploration and production companies. Mr. Junstrom has spent a significant amount of time on the company-side of the industry and now counsels multiple energy clients on complex issues relating to real estate and marketable title.
James W. Kane, a 2009 graduate of Duquesne University School of Law, joins the firm from Chevron North America Exploration and Production Company. His practice focuses on counseling various energy, oil, gas and mineral-related clients on transaction matters including title examination and analysis, title curative and due diligence.
Meghan H. Libman, a 2012 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, counsels various energy, oil, gas and mineral-related clients on transaction matters related to gas title issues and opinions.
Joseph P. McCune, a 2011 graduate of the University of Notre Dame School, joins the firm from Steptoe & Johnson LLP. He counsels various energy, oil, gas and mineral-related clients on transaction matters as they relate to gas title issues and opinions.
Owen J. McGrann, a 2009 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, joins the firm from Tucker Arensberg, P.C. He focuses on complex commercial litigation, trade secret and non-compete litigation, and general litigation matters
Elena L. Pollock, a 2009 graduate of Duquesne University School of Law, joins the firm from Bonya Gazza & DeGory, LLP. Her practice focuses primarily on counseling various energy, oil, gas, and mineral-related clients on transaction matters, including title examination, title curative, oil and gas title opinions, and due diligence.
Brittany A. Roof, a 2011 graduate of Duquesne University School of Law, joins the firm from Sadler Law Firm LLP. Her practice focuses primarily on counseling various energy, oil, gas, and mineral-related clients on transaction matters, including title examination, title curative, oil and gas title opinions, and due diligence.
May 7, 2013
PITTSBURGH, May 7, 2013 – The law firm of Babst Calland today released its third annual energy industry report called, “The Babst Calland Report: Perspectives on Natural Gas Development – Recent Activities and Expected Trends, Vol. III, Spring 2013.” This annual review of natural gas development activity includes perspectives on energy and natural resources law related primarily to the Marcellus and Utica shale regions.
Commenting on this year’s Report, Joseph K. Reinhart, Shareholder and Chairman of Babst Calland’s Energy and Natural Resources Group, said, “This Report reflects our approach to providing clients with perspective and insights on key environmental and regulatory initiatives taking place in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. With all of the shale development and regulation underway, this is a very dynamic time for the energy and natural gas industry in the Appalachian Basin.”
The 84-page report reflects the perspectives of Babst Calland’s multi-disciplinary team of energy attorneys. It contains 12 subject matter sections including environmental and land use updates, and perspectives on title services, transactions, litigation and pipeline safety.
To order a complete copy of the Report, click here.
To stay on top of shale energy development updates, articles, news and regulatory information, visit and subscribe to Babst Calland’s Shale Energy Law Blog at shaleenergylawblog.com.
Courtesy: KDKA-TV/Pittsburgh ‘Sunday Business Page– Shareholder Joseph K. Reinhart, provides legal perspective on the region’s natural gas development.
March 18, 2013
PITTSBURGH, March 18, 2013 – Lawrence E. Moore has joined the law firm of Babst Calland as Director, Government Relations. Mr. Moore will be a member of the Firm’s Public Sector Services and Energy & Natural Resources Groups. He comes to Babst Calland from the private and public sector, with a background in municipal planning and project management experience.
Previously Mr. Moore spent nearly a decade with Butler Health System (System) serving most recently as its Manager of Facilities and Property Planning. In this capacity, he was responsible for the day-to-day facilities oversight of all new construction and renovation projects as well as serving as the lease coordinator for owned and leased System properties. His public sector experience includes having served as the Land Use Administrator/Zoning Officer for Hampton Township (Allegheny County) and Penn Township (Butler County). As a Community Planner for Olsen and Associates, he was responsible for conducting public meetings and workshops for municipal clients for Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision/Land Development Ordinance updates. Additionally, he authored municipal Zoning and Subdivision/Land Development Ordinances as well as Comprehensive Plans to ensure compliance with the Municipalities Planning Code for municipal clients.
Mr. Moore received his B.A. in Journalism in 1988, his Paralegal Certification in 2002 and his M.S. in Community Leadership in 2008 from Duquesne University. He is a member of the American Planning Association, the Pennsylvania Planning Association, the American Bar Association (associate member) and the American Society for Healthcare Engineers.
January 15, 2013
PITTSBURGH, January 15, 2013 – Management of an underground and/or aboveground storage tank compliance program can be challenging and arduous. However, these critical and necessary steps ensure that small problems don’t lead to accidental releases and spills, impact water supplies, and create significant financial hardship for your company.
As a refresher course in underground and aboveground storage tank compliance, environmental attorney Timothy Bytner will provide a webinar sponsored by the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry. The webinar, Basics in Complying with Underground and Aboveground Storage Tanks, will occur on Thursday, February 7, 2013 from 11 a.m. to noon.
Details of the webinar include:
- A brief overview of the applicable underground and aboveground storage tank laws and regulations that impact companies
- A review of the new 2012 underground storage tank operator requirements
- Recordkeeping and documentation records that tank operators are responsible for maintaining – examples of required records include corrosion expert’s analysis, tank upgrade reports, and more
- Monitoring and inspection requirements
- Corrective action steps to follow should you think a tank is leaking
Mr. Bytner will open up the last few minutes of the webinar to answer questions from participants. The webinar fee is $25 per company and registration is required. Companies are invited to include up to 10 attendees with one registration fee. The webinar qualifies for one Professional Development Hour (PDH) for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists from the PA Registration Board.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Space is limited. Reserve your company’s webinar seats now at: www.PAChamber.org/conf.
January 2, 2013
PITTSBURGH, January 2, 2013 – Babst Calland, Pennsylvania’s fastest growing law firm, recently named Peter J. Veltri a shareholder in the firm.
Mr. Veltri is a member of the firm’s Business Services and Energy & Natural Resource groups. Mr. Veltri has a significant amount of experience in representing the coal and natural gas industries in a wide variety of commercial matters. His practice areas include representing clients in mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, drafting and negotiating commercial contracts and real estate agreements, and advising clients with respect to business planning and structuring.
Mr. Veltri is a 2005 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar and a member of the Allegheny County, Pennsylvania and American Bar Associations.
He has been recognized as one of Pennsylvania’s up-and-coming lawyers, according to an annual survey published in Philadelphia magazine.
December 5, 2012
Dean A. Calland, a founding shareholder of Babst Calland in Pittsburgh, has been named for the third consecutive year as a 2012 International Who’s Who Legal choice in the Environment practice area. Mr. Calland’s international practice consists primarily of complex acquisitions and divestitures for multi-national chemical and manufacturing clients.
As the official research partner of the International Bar Association and the strategic research partner of the American Bar Association Section of International Law, Who’s Who Legal awards are based on interviews and surveys with General Counsel and environmental practitioners worldwide. Only specialists who have met independent international research criteria are listed and it is impossible to buy entry into this publication.
December 5, 2012
The Louisiana Association of Self Insured Employers (LASIE) is proud to announce that Briana Marino of Babst Calland’s Charleston location earned the Certified Medicare Secondary Payer (CMSP) Certification. The CMSP program is a new credential in the insurance industry and designed to identify those professionals who work within the workers’ compensation and liability insurance industry and have demonstrated superior knowledge and skills in the field of Medicare Secondary Payer Compliance.
To earn this designation, candidates successfully complete a 36-hour course that includes an exam and case study. To maintain the CMSP certification, the practitioner must take 24 hours of continuing education every two years in the Medicare Secondary Payer Compliance field.
December 5, 2012
The law firm of Babst Calland today announced the addition of lawyer Anne C. Blankenship to the firm’s environmental and energy practices as a shareholder. Ms. Blankenship will be based in the firm’s Charleston, WV office.
During the past decade, Anne Blankenship has represented environmental, utility and energy and natural resources clients in West Virginia’s state and federal courts and before numerous environmental authorities and West Virginia’s Public Service Commission. Her experience spans advising clients on environmental issues, including air quality, water and waste management, as well as public utility regulation. Anne is also a registered lobbyist in West Virginia where she has focused on regulatory and statutory developments in the utility and environmental arena.
“Anne Blankenship is a significant addition to the Firm’s national environmental practice group,” said Chester R. Babst III, managing shareholder of Babst Calland. “We now have 20 lawyers who spend 100 percent of their time focused on environmental regulatory matters and, with the addition of Anne in West Virginia and Dave Northrop in Ohio, the Firm has environmental lawyers with years of experience working on environmental issues in the three key states for Marcellus and Utica shale development.”
Ms. Blankenship is admitted to the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia and the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. She is a member of the West Virginia State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the National Order of Barristers. Ms. Blankenship was named a West Virginia Super Lawyer Rising Star in 2009 and 2010. She received her J.D. degree from the Capital University Law School, and M.S. and B.S. degrees in Biological Sciences from Marshall University.
December 5, 2012
Matthew L. Lambach and Travis B. Righter recently joined the regional law firm Babst Calland as associates. Mr. Lambach and Mr. Righter both join the Energy & Natural Resources and Business Services Groups.
Mr. Lambach counsels various energy, oil, gas and mineral-related clients on transaction matters as they relate to gas title issues and opinions. Mr. Lambach, who earned his J.D. from Duquesne University in 2011, was formerly with Peacock Keller & Ecker, LLP.
Mr. Righter advises clients in various matters involving natural resources and energy, with a focus on oil and gas title issues and opinions. Mr. Righter, who earned his J.D. from West Virginia University in 2010, was formerly with Bowles Rice McDavid Graff & Love LLP. He is admitted to practice in West Virginia and is a member of the Northern Appalachian Landmans Association.
December 5, 2012
Prominent Team of Energy, Environment and Litigation Attorneys Join Firm
Clay K. Keller, Richard J. Lolli, David E. Northrop Named Shareholders
The law firm of Babst Calland recently announced the continued expansion of its growing energy practice by opening its newest office in downtown Canton, OH, at the PNC Center.
The expansion of the Firm’s already well-established energy and natural resources practice is taking place at a time when many of the Firm’s existing energy clients participating in unconventional gas development are tapping Babst Calland’s multi-disciplinary practice group for its Marcellus and Utica shale experience and capabilities.
The Firm was founded 26 years ago and has represented energy-related clients since its inception. The Firm’s multi-disciplinary practice addresses a wide range of issues affecting its energy clients, including environmental, business and transaction services, title, litigation, land use, construction and employment & labor. More than one-half of Babst Calland’s 105 lawyers currently are involved in servicing the Firm’s energy clients.
Joining Babst Calland as shareholders are attorneys Clay K. Keller and Richard J. Lolli. Mr. Keller joins the firm effective June 15, 2012, and Mr. Lolli begins on June 25, 2012. Both are admitted to practice law in the state of Ohio and are active in county and state bar associations as well as the Ohio Oil & Gas Association and Ohio Land Title Association, respectively. Mr. Lolli’s extensive background is in the area of Title/Land Use and Real Estate law. Mr. Keller is a litigator representing clients on a broad range of oil and gas matters.
Joining Mr. Keller and Mr. Lolli will be Ohio attorney David E. Northrop after spending nearly 40 years practicing law in Columbus, Ohio. He is known for his representation of clients in their interactions with federal and state environmental regulatory agencies.
“Babst Calland serves the energy industry with a coordinated, multi-disciplinary team of lawyers that is focused on the broad spectrum of federal, state and local issues impacting our clients. The significant growth of Marcellus and Utica shale development over the past year has created the need for geographic expansion so that we can provide that same level of service to our clients in West Virginia and Ohio,” said Chester R. Babst III, managing shareholder of Babst Calland.
“The addition of Clay Keller, Richard Lolli and David Northrop gives our firm a team with more than 80 years of experience in handling environmental, real estate, title and litigation matters in Ohio and allows us to serve our Ohio clients with attorneys who understand the local landscape,” added Babst.
December 5, 2012
David Northrop joins Babst Calland as a shareholder in the Environmental Services group after spending nearly 40 years practicing law in Columbus, Ohio. His practice involves representing clients in their interactions with federal and state environmental regulatory agencies and includes client counseling and litigation. He has litigated on behalf of clients in administrative matters involving environmental permits and has defended clients in civil and criminal enforcement matters in federal and state court.
Mr. Northrop represents clients in matters involving air pollution, water pollution, solid waste, hazardous waste, and property contamination, including Superfund cases. He also counsels clients on the environmental aspects of transactions such as the acquisition or sale of businesses or property.
Mr. Northrop graduated from Allegheny College in 1970. He received his J.D., summa cum laude from The Ohio State University College of Law (now the Moritz College of Law) in 1972, and has practiced environmental law since 1973 in both the public sector and, since 1987, in private practice. His practice in the public sector was in the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, representing the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and other Ohio environmental regulatory agencies. Mr. Northrop practiced in the Environmental Enforcement Section for ten years, including four years of service as chief of the section. He also served for four years as deputy chief counsel to the attorney general.
Mr. Northrop is admitted to practice in Ohio and Pennsylvania, as well as in the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio, the Western District of Pennsylvania and the Eastern District of Kentucky, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States. He is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association.
December 5, 2012
Briana J. Marino recently joined Babst Calland’s Charleston, WV, office as an associate in the Litigation Services group.
Ms. Marino focuses her practice in the areas of general litigation, employment litigation, Medicare Secondary Payer compliance and reporting issues and personal injury litigation. She has particular knowledge regarding applicable laws, regulations and administrative decisions governing Medicare Secondary Payer and Medicare, Medicaid and S-CHIP Extension Act of 2007 Section 111 Reporting issues. This developing area of the law affects all settlements, verdicts, awards and benefits of current and potential Medicare and other social program beneficiaries nationwide regardless, in the majority of cases, of type of claim or allegation raised by the litigant. Ms. Marino, who earned her J.D. from West Virginia University College of Law in 2009, was formerly with Flaherty Sensabaugh Bonasso, PLLC, in Charleston, WV.
December 5, 2012
Ryan D. Elliott, Michael C. Murphy and Nikolas E. Tysiak recently joined the regional law firm Babst Calland as associates. They will conduct business from the Pittsburgh, PA, office. Mr. Elliott joins the Environmental Services and Energy & Natural Resources groups; Mr. Murphy joins the Environmental Services group and Mr. Tysiak joins the Energy & Natural Resources and Business Services groups.
Mr. Elliott assists clients on a wide variety of environmental matters including federal and state air, water and waste regulatory compliance, and permitting and issues arising in the development of the Marcellus and Utica shale. He also assists in litigation matters involving environmental liability. Mr. Elliott, who earned his J.D. from Capital University Law School in 2010, was formerly with Schumaker, Koop & Kendrick, LLP, in Columbus, OH. He is admitted to practice in Ohio.
Mr. Murphy concentrates his practice primarily on site remediation, solid and hazardous waste, and environmental issues arising in corporate and real estate transactions. He represents potentially responsible parties (PRPs) in all stages of Superfund cleanups, both under federal and state programs, including responding to information requests, negotiating consent orders and participating in PRP group allocations. Mr. Murphy also counsels clients on the potential benefits of participating in voluntary brownfield cleanup programs, management of solid and hazardous waste to comply with federal and state statutes and regulations and transactions on potential liabilities identified in Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments, Regulatory Compliance Audits and Vapor Intrusion Assessments. Mr. Murphy, who earned his J.D. from Touro College, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center in 2006, was formerly with Phillips Lytle, LLP, in Buffalo, NY. He is admitted to practice in New York and Connecticut.
Mr. Tysiak practices in the areas of energy and real estate law, with a primary focus on transactions and ownership involving oil and gas, where he has extensive experience identifying and curing novel real estate title issues in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania. He has previously taken a lead position in generating and implementing creative solutions to novel, real estate-related issues. Mr. Tysiak also maintains a general real estate practice, with experience conducting foreclosure proceedings, drafting complex retail and commercial leasing agreements, drafting deeds and other documents necessary to effectuate property transactions, conducting real estate closings, researching and writing title insurance policies and overseeing curative measures to finalize property transactions. Mr. Tysiak, who earned his J.D. from Washington College of Law at American University in 2005, was formerly with Jackson Kelly, PLLC, in Wheeling, WV. He is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and West Virginia and is currently on the board of the Pittsburgh Chapter of Young Professionals in Energy.