In her recent alert Sackett Decision Shrinks Federal Regulation of Wetlands, Lisa Bruderly discusses the highly-anticipated decision that significantly narrows the extent of wetlands within the definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS), and, therefore, within the jurisdiction of the federal Clean Water Act. Click here to view the full alert.
Babst Calland welcomes Erin Lucas Hamilton as a shareholder in the Firm’s Litigation practice. Her experience spans a wide variety of industries, including energy and natural resources, aviation, engineering, construction, manufacturing, technology, professional sports, banking, insurance and financial services. Her practice involves litigating complex commercial disputes in all phases from initial pleadings through trial and appeal. She also provides legal counsel on best business practices, employment matters, risk mitigation and legal and regulatory compliance.
Congratulations to the following Babst Calland women attorneys who were selected to the 2023 Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania Rising Stars lists:
Gina Falaschi Buchman – Washington, D.C. Rising Stars
Kathleen H. Cooper – Pennsylvania Rising Stars
Alexandra G. Farone – Pennsylvania Rising Stars
Ember K. Holmes – Pennsylvania Rising Stars
Christina Manfredi McKinley – Pennsylvania Rising Stars
Only a few attorneys from each state are selected to receive the Rising Stars designation for any given year. The multi-factor selection process includes independent research, peer nominations and evaluations, as well as professional achievement in legal practice.
For the full list of attorneys, click here.
In her recent alert PHMSA Releases Proposed Rulemaking on Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair with Jim Curry, Gary Steinbauer and Lee Banse, Brianne Kurdock discusses the pre-publication version of a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) titled “Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair,” and how comments on the NPRM are due on July 17, 2023. To view the full alert, click here.
Attorney Susanna Bagdasarova recently graduated from the ACBA’s newly created Lawyers on Board program. This program is designed to prepare young, diverse attorneys for nonprofit board service, then help to place them onto nonprofit boards throughout the region. The program is presented by the ACBA Committee on Diversity and Inclusion; ACBA Department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; the Homer S. Brown Division, the Non-profit Law Committee and the ACBA Young Lawyers Division Diversity Committee, in conjunction with the Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management at Robert Morris University. For more information, click here.
In her recent PIOGA Press article New Uncertainties About WOTUS Definition Lisa Bruderly discusses the developments on WOTUS and the Clean Water Act. To read the full article, click here.
In her recent article How Act 122 of 2022 changes filing requirements for those doing business in PA Audra Hutter explains Act 122, the filing change, and what it means for entities doing business in Pennsylvania. To read the full article, click here.
In their recent alert Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Information Act – Amendments Effective Today Alyssa Golfieri, Anna Hosack and Anna Jewart discuss that effective today, municipalities and law enforcement agencies must process record requests seeking criminal history information submitted under Act 134. Click here to view the full alert.
In her recent alert West Virginia Passes the PFAS Protection Act with Matt Wood, Mackenzie Moyer discusses the PFAS Protection Act signed into law in West Virginia, one of many states developing new laws and regulations related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Click here to view the full alert.
In their recent article Questions Abound Following Right-to-Know Law Decision Involving Student Records with Casey Alan Coyle, Anna Jewart and Anna Hosack discuss Right-to-Know Law, and the latest in a line of cases considering the intersection of the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law. Given unanswered questions, school districts and other commonwealth and local agencies should proceed cautiously when addressing Right-to-Know requests. Click here to view the full article.
Christina Manfredi McKinley, a shareholder in Babst Calland’s Litigation, Energy & Natural Resources, and Environmental groups, was selected by The Legal Intelligencer as a “2023 Lawyer on the Fast Track” in Pennsylvania.
A graduate of The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law, Ms. McKinley continually strives to provide business-oriented solutions to her clients and routinely serves as a general advisor, counseling clients on day-to-day legal and business matters on any number of issues. Her business-focused, proactive approach to problem-solving allows her to provide solutions to clients in a variety of industries. Her experience spans a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, retail, energy, chemicals, and environmental.
As a litigator who focuses on complex commercial matters, Ms. McKinley’s trial practice encompasses all phases of litigation, from early alternative dispute resolution through post-trial motions. She has concentrated experience in complex purchase agreement and commercial contracts disputes, protection of competitive interests (e.g., Lanham Act, unfair competition, tortious interference, trade secret protection, restrictive covenants), technology disputes (e.g., software services and license agreements), and corporate governance.
The Legal Intelligencer asked the Pennsylvania legal community to submit nominations for the annual Lawyers on the Fast Track honors. After reviewing their results, a six-member judging panel composed of evaluators from all corners of the legal profession and the state selected 29 attorneys as the 2023 Lawyers on the Fast Track. 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.
In their recent alert EPA Sloan Wildman and Amanda Brosy discuss how on April 13, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking requesting input on the potential designation of additional categories of PFAS as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as Superfund. Click here, to view the full alert.
Attorney Katrina Bowers will give a “West Virginia Energy Update” at EMLF’s Spring Update in West Virginia on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. The workshop will feature 50 minutes of energy law updates followed by an hour of ethics that explores the intersection of lawyers, politics, and the Model Rules. For more information, click here.
In her recent article Chubb Announces New Underwriting Standards for Oil and Gas Extraction with Ben Clapp, Gina Falaschi Buchman discusses how Chubb, one of the world’s largest insurance companies, introduced new climate-focused underwriting standards intended to induce reductions of methane emissions from the oil and gas production sector. Click here, to read the full article.
In her recent alert Courts Create Nationwide Split in WOTUS Definition, Lisa Bruderly discusses yesterday’s ruling by the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota that creates a regulatory patchwork across the nation in which the definition of ‘waters of the United States’ (WOTUS), and subsequently, the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act, now differs by state. Click here to view the full alert.