Mission Statement

The Babst Calland Women’s Initiative strives to increase the retention and advancement of women attorneys at our Firm and in the broader legal community by promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities.

The Women’s Initiative meets regularly to facilitate open discussions about workplace challenges historically faced by women in professional settings and encourages the exchange of advice and experiences to aid others in navigating those challenges.

The Women’s Initiative further supports the Firm’s women attorneys in developing and promoting their practices by acknowledging and celebrating successes and encouraging mentorship among all of the Firm’s attorneys. A key goal of the Women’s Initiative is to connect women attorneys across the Firm’s practice groups and offices, allowing for organic support systems to develop and prosper. This blending of practice groups and offices encourages collaboration and cross-marketing opportunities that benefit our attorneys and clients. By encouraging these relationships, the Women’s Initiative’s work advances the professional and business development of women attorneys at the Firm and within the legal community at large.

 

Features

The following celebrates the initiatives of the women attorneys at Babst Calland.


Alex Farone Authors Employment and Labor Alert

On April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission voted 3-2 to publish its proposed final rule banning most non-competes. The final rule becomes effective 120 days after its date of publication in the Federal Register, but legal challenges to the FTC’s authority to issue this ban will likely result in a stay in enforcement of the ban until litigation is resolved. Alex Farone discusses FTC’s non-compete ban and the impact on businesses in her alert, FTC Finalizes Non-Compete Ban, Legal Challenges Promptly Follow. 

Jean Mosites to Serve as Panelist at 3rd Annual Marcellus Shale Water Business Update

Attorney Jean Mosites will serve as a panelist for “Legal & Regulatory Trends Panel” at the Oilfield Water Connections’ 3rd Annual Marcellus Shale Water Business Update on Thursday, August 8, 2024. During this conference, more than 100 E&P, midstream, and water service business leaders will gather in Pittsburgh for networking and discussion of the latest produced water industry trends pertaining to commercialization, business risks/opportunities, optimization, and capital allocation. 

Jessica Deyoe Co-Authors PIOGA Press Article

In her recent article Governor’s Proposed PACER and PRESS Legislation Seek to Lower GHG Emissions with Kevin Garber, Jessica Deyoe discusses the announcement by Governor Shapiro’s office of the Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction Initiative (PACER) and the Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS) legislative proposals. Together, these two initiatives seek to lower greenhouse gas emissions and promote the use of alternative energy for the electric energy grid in Pennsylvania.

Susanna Bagdasarova to Be a Presenter at the ACC’s Spring Training

Attorney Susanna Bagdasarova will present “Digital Law: Navigating AI in Legal Practice” at the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel’s (ACC) Spring Training on Friday, April 26, 2024. The last year has been characterized by a rapid increase in the interest and awareness of artificial intelligence (AI). This session will provide an overview of the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and its implications for legal professionals.

Anna Jewart and Alex Farone Co-Author Legal Intelligencer Article

In their recent article Public Posting 2.0: High Court Creates Test for When Social Media Posts Are State Action with Harley Stone, Anna Jewart and Alex Farone explain the issue that the U.S. Supreme Court weighed in on: When does a public official’s social media activity on a personal account constitute state action, subjecting the public official to liability?

Jean Mosites and Mackenzie Moyer Co-Author Environmental Alert

In their recent alert U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Finalizes National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for Certain PFAS Chemicals Jean Mosites and Mackenzie Moyer discuss the  finalized National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) Rule and how it is regulating six PFAS substances under the Safe Drinking Water Act by the U.S. EPA. This final rule establishes the first-ever nationally enforceable drinking water standards for PFAS.

Sloan Wildman Co-Authors Environmental Alert

In her recent alert New to Whom? The Fifth Circuit strikes down EPA’s attempt to regulate ongoing uses of PFAS under TSCA’s “significant new use” provision with Joseph Schaeffer, Sloan Wildman discusses an important opinion of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit that provides industry with much-needed clarity and predictability of the regulation of PFAS under a new use provision of TSCA. To view the full alert, click here.

Mackenzie Moyer to Be a Panelist at PA Brownfields Conference

Attorney Mackenzie Moyer will serve as panelist for “PFAS Forever Chemicals and Brownfields – What you need to know” during the Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s PA Brownfields Conference on Wednesday, March 25, 2024. Forever chemicals, also known as PFAS, are everywhere. It’s a local issue and a global issue. As the EPA puts forward new regulations, Brownfields are facing new challenges for due diligence and public engagement.

Kristen Petrina Joins Babst Calland

Kristen L. Petrina recently joined Babst Calland as an associate in the Corporate and Commercial and Emerging Technologies groups. Ms. Petrina represents domestic and international clients on a broad range of general corporate and commercial law matters, including recapitalizations, restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, commercial lending, commercial contracts, entity formation, corporate governance, and corporate exit and succession planning.

Prior to joining Babst Calland, Ms.

Gina Falaschi Buchman Co-Authors Environmental Alert

In her recent alert D.C. Circuit Delivers EPA a Loss on Startup, Shutdown, and Malfunction Waivers under the Clean Air Act with Joseph Schaeffer, Gina Falaschi Buchman discusses the long-awaited decision in Environmental Committee of the Florida Electric Power Coordinating Group, Inc. v. EPA, in which it vacated the majority of an EPA final agency action commonly referred to as the 2015 SSM SIP Call in the D.C.

Justine Kasznica and Ember Holmes Co-Author PIOGA Press Article

In their recent article Developments in Data Privacy, Justine Kasznica and Ember Holmes discuss developments to the Pennsylvania’s Breach of Personal Information Notification Act (BPINA) and next steps. To view the full article, click here.

Christina Puhnaty to Be a Panelist at EMLF’S Careers in Energy Program

Attorney Christina Puhnaty will serve as a panelist for the Energy & Mineral Law Foundation’s (EMLF) Careers in Energy Program on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Each year EMLF brings a panel of energy law practitioners to its member law schools to provide an opportunity for students to hear from those in the energy field and make connections with potential future employers. EMLF Staff is also in attendance to discuss EMLF’s academic scholarship opportunities and the Schetroma Travel Grant which provides travel to the EMLF Annual Institute.

Babst Calland Women’s Initiative Focuses on Key Projects in 2024

The Babst Calland Women’s Initiative celebrates the collective efforts made this year to connect women attorneys and to promote inclusivity. Some of our 2024 projects include CLE programs, lunch and learn meetings, informal networking events, community service events, mentoring circles, annual client event, and attorney spotlight articles. If you are interested in coordinating with Babst Calland’s Women’s Initiative, please contact Carla Castello, Chair, at ccastello@babstcalland.com.

Babst Calland Celebrates International Women’s Day

Today marks International Women’s Day (IWD), a global day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. This year’s theme for IWD is #InspireInclusion. When we inspire others to value women’s inclusion, we create a better world, and when women are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment. At Babst Calland, we are proud of our incredible group of women attorneys and professionals who bring their unique perspectives and skills to the Firm.

Film Screening and Panel Discussion in Celebration of International Women’s Day

On March 8, in celebration of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, Babst Calland’s Women’s Initiative is partnering with TEDxPittsburgh and Radiant Hall in an event featuring the film screening of the documentary Street Heroines. A moderated panel discussion with local artists will follow with former TEDxPittsburgh speaker and Radiant Hall alum Njaimeh Njie, IIE-Artist Protection Fund Fellow in residence at the Global Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh Haifa Subay, and Pittsburgh Public Art Commission Member Anneliese Martinez.

Events
Film Screening and Panel Discussion in Celebration of International Women’s Day
On March 8, in celebration of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, Babst Calland’s...
Events
Space Lawyers and Out of this World Legal Adventures
Attorney Justine Kasznica will present “Space Lawyers and Out of this World Legal Adventures” on...
Women's Initiative
Women’s Initiative 2024 Mentoring Circle Kickoff Meeting
The Babst Calland Women’s Initiative is celebrating the fourth consecutive year of one of the...
Women's Initiative
Babst Calland Names Buchman and Castello Shareholder
Babst Calland recently named Gina Falaschi Buchman and Carla M. Castello shareholders in the Firm....
Women's Initiative
Jean Mosites Honored with 2023 Marcellus Shale Coalition Service Award
Jean Mosites has been honored with the 2023 Marcellus Shale Coalition Service Award at its...
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