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.
The following celebrates the initiatives of the women attorneys at Babst Calland.
Erin Lucas Hamilton was recently elected to serve as an Allegheny County Bar Association (ACBA) officer as President-Elect. Erin will serve a three-year term, first as President-Elect, then as President, and finally as Immediate Past President.
Katerina P. Vassil was also elected to serve on the Young Lawyers Division as a 2-Year Council member.
For more 2026 ACBA Results, click here.
Congratulations to the following Babst Calland Women attorneys who were recognized in the 2026 Chambers USA Guide, one of the legal profession’s most respected and independent ranking publications.
Published annually by Chambers and Partners, the Chambers USA Guide identifies the nation’s leading law firms and attorneys through an extensive research process that includes client interviews, peer feedback, and independent market analysis. Rankings are based on qualities including legal ability and knowledge, client service, commercial awareness, professional conduct, diligence, cost effectiveness, commitment to client success, and other qualities most valued by the client. …
Congratulations to the following Babst Calland women attorneys who were selected to the 2026 Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania Super Lawyers’ Rising Stars® lists:
Pennsylvania Rising Stars®
Alexandra G. Farone – Shareholder, Employment & Labor
Angela M. Harrod – Associate, Construction Litigation
Anna R. Hosack – Associate, Land Use & …
Anna Jewart has been named among Pittsburgh Business Times 20 People to Know in Law. 20 People to Know connects the Pittsburgh business community with influential businesspeople working in key industries. These listings are not meant to be comprehensive or a ranking, but rather an introduction to some of the behind-the-scenes players, key leaders and up-and-comers.
The 20 People to Know in Law is slated to publish on June 19 and will include Q&As with 20 professionals who work at law firms in the Pittsburgh region.
As demand for AI, cloud computing, and digital storage accelerates, Pennsylvania is emerging as a strategic hub for data center development. This growth presents significant opportunities for developers, energy providers, investors, and host communities – while also introducing complex regulatory, infrastructure, and energy challenges for the region. Justine Kasznica, Gina Buchman, Anna Jewart, and Dave White discuss the legal and regulatory forces shaping data center projects across the region and offer guidance on advancing projects efficiently while balancing economic opportunity with responsible community engagement. …
BTI Consulting Group’s BTI Associate Satisfaction A-Listers 2026: BTI Survey of Law Firms Where Associates are Happiest report recognizes law firms that outperform peers based on direct associate feedback across factors tied to retention, engagement and long‑term career satisfaction. This first and only report of its kind, Associate Satisfaction A‑Listers is based on a large-scale independent survey with more than 5,000 responses of associates at Am Law 200, global, mid-size, and smaller law firms. …
The Pennsylvania DEP has issued two new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for civil penalty assessments related to unconventional and conventional oil and gas wells and a new SOP for identifying, tracking, and resolving oil and gas violations. The Department’s transition from Technical Guidance Documents (TGDs) to SOPs represents a significant procedural shift, which provides the Department with greater administrative flexibility but reduces opportunities for stakeholder engagement. To read the full alert by Sean McGovern and Jordan Brown, click here.
On April 30, 2026, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court released a long-awaited opinion about the ability of a municipality to assess charges to manage stormwater runoff. Borough of West Chester v. Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, No. 9 MAP 2023. In the opinion, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court affirmed the unanimous 2023 Commonwealth Court opinion holding that stormwater management charges are taxes, not fees, and, thus, tax-exempt entities are immune from paying such charges. …
Janet Meub is a volunteer mentor to assist students in Junior Achievement USA’s JA BizTown®. JA BizTown® merges classroom curriculum with hands-on experience in a fully interactive space simulating a bustling community. With 21 storefronts representing key industries, students explore roles as business owners and consumers, applying financial principles in real-world scenarios. This program offers a glimpse into various careers, fosters community engagement, and sparks aspirations for a bright future.
Attorney 
Anna Skipper Jewart will serve as a panelist for “Navigating Community Impact in Data Center Development” during the Energy & Mineral Law Foundation’s (EMLF) 47th Annual Institute on Monday, June 15, 2026. This fireside discussion lets you join a data center developer and its land use counsel to explore how successful data center projects are planned with community impact front and center. The conversation will focus on practical strategies for addressing local concerns around land use, infrastructure, environmental impacts, and long-term community compatibility. …
Attorney Justine Kasznica will lead a panel of industry experts on Aligning Workforce Development with Aerospace and Aviation Needs during the 3rd Annual PA Aerospace and Aviation Day on Monday, May 4, 2026. Hosted by the Keystone Space Collaborative in partnership with the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, the Office of Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, and the Aerospace States Association- Pennsylvania Chapter, this event will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, educators, and innovators from across the Commonwealth to highlight Pennsylvania’s growing leadership in aerospace and aviation. …
The use of street opening ordinances to regulate and maintain public rights-of-way has increased in popularity over the past few years, with many of the local municipalities having adopted some form of a model ordinance. These ordinances commonly include references to fees for permitting and inspection, and in many cases provide for the use of a variable fee based on the linear footage of the proposed opening into the public right-of-way. …
Babst Calland Attorney Anna Skipper Jewart was selected by The Legal Intelligencer as a “2026 Lawyer on the Fast Track, Small/Midsize Firms Winner” in Pennsylvania.
After reviewing the results of nominations for the annual The Legal Intelligencer awards, a judging panel composed of evaluators from all corners of the legal profession and the state selected 11 attorneys as the 2026 Lawyers on the Fast Track, Small/Midsize Firms Winners. …
Theresa Davis recently joined Babst Calland’s Harrisburg, Pa. office as an associate in the Employment and Labor and Public Sector groups. Ms. Davis represents public and private employers in a wide range of labor and employment matters. Her practice includes all aspects of state and federal litigation involving employment claims, as well as advising clients on day-to-day workplace issues and compliance strategies. She also represents municipal clients on a wide range of matters. …
In this episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, Brianne Kurdock and Melanie Lampton discuss PHMSA enforcement. The conversation explores how the enforcement process works, recent trends in enforcement activity and penalties, and what operators should understand to better navigate inspections and compliance expectations.
To listen to the podcast, click here.
