News for August 2010
August 27, 2010
Barley Appointed as Program Chair for the Pittsburgh Chapter of
the American Inns of Court
Kevin L. Barley, an associate at the law firm of Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir, P.C., has been appointed to the Executive Board of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Inns of Court to serve a two year term as Program Chair. Mr. Barley, a 2000 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, has been a member of the American Inns of Court since 2001. Mr. Barley represents business clients in environmental and natural resource, construction and other commercial litigation matters. He has experience in a variety of commercial disputes, including prosecuting and defending environmental cost recovery claims, oil and gas disputes, insurance coverage for environmental claims, real estate disputes and business contract and tort claims. Mr. Barley also has experience in construction payment disputes, including surety bond and lien issues, and construction delay claims.
The American Inns of Court (AIC) is a national organization designed to improve the skills, professionalism and ethics of the bench and bar. The Pittsburgh Chapter holds monthly meetings offering programs presented by member pupilage groups on matters of ethics, skills and professionalism, in conjunction with an opportunity to “break bread.” As Program Chair, Mr. Barley will lead a Program Committee tasked with developing program topics and themes that emphasize ethics and professionalism. Mr. Barley will also work with the other members of the Executive Committee on membership development initiatives.
August 17, 2010
Ackerman Joins Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir, P.C.
Justin D. Ackerman recently joined Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir, P.C., a downtown Pittsburgh law firm, as an associate in the Business Services Group. He concentrates his practice on representing closely-held and family businesses, providing a broad range of services including general corporate representation, real estate services and transactions, tax planning and business succession planning. Mr. Ackerman also advises clients on aspects of corporate law such as choice and formation of entities, internal governance, mergers and acquisitions, the negotiation of contracts and dispute resolution. His real estate practice involves the purchase and sale of developed and undeveloped commercial property, commercial leases on behalf of landlords and tenants and property tax assessment appeals. Prior to joining BCCZ, Mr. Ackerman was an associate with Fox Rothschild LLP. He earned a JD degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and an MBA from the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University in 2005.
August 16, 2010
Decker Appointed to Co-chair of the ACBA Technology Utilization Committee
Joseph Decker, a shareholder at the law firm of Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir, P.C., has been appointed Co-chair of the Allegheny County Bar Association’s (ACBA) Technology Utilization Committee for 2010-11. Mr. Decker, a 1985 graduate of the University of San Francisco School of Law, focuses his practice primarily on the litigation and trial of business and intellectual property disputes. He has tried cases and arbitrations involving securities fraud, trade secret and non-competition agreements. Mr. Decker advises on e-discovery issues and leads the firm’s e-discovery department.
The ACBA Technology Utilization Committee provides assistance to the ACBA staff in the development, investigation, review, and the creation of programs about computer hardware, and software that can be utilized by members of the ACBA in the practice of law. The Committee also serves as a liaison with the various courts as they computerize their operations.
News for july 2010
July 27, 2010
Clark Appointed to the Jewish Family and CHildren's Service's Board of Directors
Rachel Brown Clark, an attorney for the law firm of Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir, P.C., has been appointed to the board of directors of the Jewish Family and Children’s Service. A 2007 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, Ms. Clark’s practice includes representing clients in all phases of employment and labor law. She advises clients on wage and hour issues, including the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Pennsylvania Wage Payment and Collection Law, employment discrimination issues, workplace harassment, disability accommodation, the Family and Medical Leave Act, employee handbooks, employment agreements, restrictive covenants, and waivers and releases.
Jewish Family & Children's Service of Pittsburgh is a non-profit, non-sectarian organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life of children, families and adults of all ages throughout the Greater Pittsburgh area by providing psychological, employment and social services. Services are provided and referrals are made without regard to race, gender, color, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, disability or age.
July 15, 2010
Douglass Elected to Energy and Mineral Law Foundation's Executive Committee
Kevin K. Douglass, an attorney for the law firm of Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir, P.C., has been elected to the Executive Committee of the Energy and Mineral Law Foundation. Members of the Executive Committee are elected annually by the Board of Trustees following nominations from a sub-committee comprised of past presidents. “We nominate candidates that we believe could ultimately serve as president of the EMLF”, states Sharon Daniels, EMLF’s Executive Director. “Over the years, Kevin Douglass has been an active participant in the EMLF and a valuable contributor through a variety of educational presentations. Kevin is highly regarded within and outside our organization and we are extremely happy to have him on our Executive Committee. We are particularly pleased to have Kevin involved because he is the son of Pittsburgh attorney Samuel L. Douglass, one of the co-founders of the EMLF, thirty-one years ago.”
A 1986 graduate of Duquesne University School of Law, Mr. Douglass’ practice includes an emphasis on energy related litigation, including representing coal and natural gas companies in a variety of commercial litigation matters. He also litigates other complex commercial matters including a variety of contractual disputes, director/officer liability cases, restrictive covenant/trade secret matters, closely-held shareholder issues, products liability, as well as construction and environmental actions.
The Energy & Mineral Law Foundation (EMLF) is a national non-profit educational organization whose purpose is to advance the study of energy and mineral law through educational programs, publications and scholarships. Begun in Pittsburgh, PA in 1979, the EMLF has more than 1100 members in 25 states and Washington D.C.
news for june 2010
June 28, 2010
Kevin J. Garber and Betsy Dupuis participate in Business Before Hours – Marcellus Shale Gas Drilling: Impacts on Centre County
The CBICC will hold a panel discussion on Marcellus Shale Gas Drilling: Impacts on Centre County which will focus on job creation, economic and environmental impacts, new and pending legislation, and regulatory permitting. Kevin Garber, a member of Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir’s Environmental, Energy and Natural Resources practice is a panelist; Besty Dupuis, a member of the firm’s Business Services Group, is the panel moderator.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Registration: 8:00 am
Program: 8:15 -9:30 am
Hoag’s Celebration Hall
2280 Commercial Boulevard
State College, PA 16801
To register or for more information, click here.
June 16, 2010
Twenty-Four BCCZ Lawyers Selected for Inclusion in Super Lawyers 2010
Honoring their high degree of peer respect and professional achievement, twenty-four lawyers with Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir, P.C. (BCCZ) were named by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers magazine as the top lawyers in Pennsylvania for 2010 – a distinction only five percent of Pennsylvania lawyers achieve. Each lawyer, who was chosen by peers and through independent research from Law & Politics, will be acknowledged in the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers publication as well as in Philadelphia magazine.
Pennsylvania Super Lawyers are listed by practice areas. The BCCZ lawyers selected for inclusion in Pennsylvania Super Lawyers 2010 are:
Chester R. Babst III – Environmental
Steven F. Baicker-McKee - Environmental
Donald C. Bluedorn II - Environmental
Dean A. Calland – Environmental
Sally Griffith Cimini – Employment & Labor
Frank J. Clements – Business/Corporate
James V. Corbelli – Business Litigation
Christian A. Farmakis – Business/Corporate
Kurt F. Fernsler – Construction Litigation
Leonard Fornella – Civil Litigation Defense
Kevin J. Garber - Environmental
Norman E. Gilkey – Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights
Marcia L. Grimes – Real Estate
Heather S. Heidelbaugh – Business Litigation
Lindsay P. Howard – Environmental
D. Matthew Jameson III – Construction Litigation
Richard D. Kalson – Construction Litigation
Maureen P. Kelly – Employment & Labor
Blaine A. Lucas – Government/Cities/Municipalities
Joseph K. Reinhart – Environmental
David W. Ross – Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights
Mark D. Shepard – General Litigation
Ted Wesolowski – Business/Corporate
David E. White – Construction Litigation
Sally Griffith Cimini and Maureen P. Kelly were also named by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers as one of Pennsylvania’s “Top 50 Female” Super Lawyers and, along with Norman E. Gilkey, as one of the “Top 50” Pittsburgh Super Lawyers.
Five BCCZ Lawyers Selected for Inclusion in Rising Stars 2010
Honoring their high degree of peer respect and professional achievement, five young lawyers with Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir, P.C. (BCCZ), have been selected for inclusion in Pennsylvania Rising Stars 2010according to a poll conducted by Law & Politics. Rising Stars are nominated by lawyers on the Super Lawyers® list, who were asked to vote for the best lawyers who are either 40 years of age or under, or who have been practicing for 10 years or less. Rising Stars will be acknowledged in Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Philadelphia magazines. Only approximately 2.5 percent of Pennsylvania lawyers are selected as Rising Stars.
Rising Stars are listed by practice area.The BCCZ lawyers selected for inclusion in Pennsylvania Rising Stars 2010 are:
Timothy J. Bish - Land Use/Zoning
Lisa M. Bruderly -
Environmental
Christopher S. Channel - Intellectual Property Litigation
Mark A. Lindsay
- Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights
Richard W. Saxe, Jr. - Construction Litigation
News for May 2010
May 18, 2010
Mosites joins babst, calland, clements and zomnir, P.C.
Jean M. Mosites recently joined Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir, P.C. as an associate in the Environmental, Energy and Natural Resources and Public Sector Services Groups. Her practice focuses primarily on client counseling on environmental compliance, environmental enforcement defense, and environmental due diligence in support of business transactions. Prior to joining BCCZ, Ms. Mosites was an associate with Jones Day. She is a 2007 magna cum laude graduate of Duquesne University School of Law.
NEWS FOR APRIL 2010
April 22, 2010
Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir, P.C. in State College Merges Family Law Practice
The Law Office of Jennifer P. Bierly, a family law practice in State College, PA, merged with Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir, P.C. (BCCZ) on March 22, 2010. Ms. Bierly, who joined BCCZ as a shareholder, is accompanied by Ms. Bobbie Rabuck, who joined the firm as an Associate. In addition to Ms. Rabuck, Ms. Bierly brings two paralegals and one administrative assistant from her practice to join BCCZ.
Ms. Bierly earned a B.A. from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and her J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh in 1997. Ms. Bierly has practiced family law for more than 10 years, the past four of those years in her own firm in State College.
“BCCZ is a nationally recognized firm. Joining BCCZ will allow me to continue serving our family law clients, while offering additional legal services such as business services, estate planning, real estate, and employment and labor to clients with needs in those areas,” states Ms. Bierly.
“We are very committed to serving the Centre County region through our excellent State College team and to support that Office with the substantial resources of our Pittsburgh Office. Jennifer’s practice is an excellent complement to our State College practice and we are excited to have Jennifer and her staff on board,” states Chester Babst, Managing Shareholder of BCCZ.
The merger nearly doubles the staff of BCCZ’s State College office.
April 5, 2010
Milleville Joins Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir, P.C.
Benjamin W. Milleville recently joined Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir, P.C. as an associate in the Business Services Group. Mr. Milleville’s practice focuses primarily on corporate governance matters, corporate transactions, taxation and business planning and structuring for corporate and nonprofit clients. Prior to joining the firm, he worked in the tax department of an international accounting firm. Mr. Milleville is a 2008 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
April 1, 2010
BCCZ Attorney Heather S. Heidelbaugh Appointed to U.S. Civil Rights Commission, State Advisory Committee
Heather S. Heidelbaugh has been appointed to the Pennsylvania State Advisory Committee of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is an independent bipartisan agency established by Congress in 1957. The Commission’s goal is to investigate claims of discrimination or denial of equal protection under the laws of the U.S. Constitution– based upon race, color, religion, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, familial status, handicap or disability. The Commission reports to Congress and the U.S. President.
Advisory Committees from each state and the District of Columbia advise the U.S. Commission of civil rights issues in their home states. Members of the State Advisory Committees serve a term of two years.
Ms. Heidelbaugh, a resident of Mt. Lebanon, just outside Pittsburgh, PA, is a shareholder in the Litigation Services Group of BCCZ and is based in the Pittsburgh office. Her practice primarily focuses on complex litigation, products liability, intellectual property and election law.
She is a graduate of the University of Missouri at Columbia, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Political Science, as well as her Juris Doctorate.
Ms. Heidelbaugh is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Missouri and Illinois. Ms. Heidelbaugh received Allegheny County’s first Pro Bono award for starting a legal clinic for the homeless. She is past chair of the Civil Litigation Section of the Allegheny County Bar Association, a past president of its Young Lawyers Section and an Allegheny County Bar Foundation Fellow.
She was elected to the Academy of Trial Lawyers, an invitation only, select group of trial lawyers. Ms. Heidelbaugh has also been named as a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, a trial lawyer honorary society that includes for Fellowship less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers.
Ms. Heidelbaugh appears weekly on WQED-TV as a panelist on ‘Off Q’, a public affairs program in Pittsburgh and is a regular commentator on local television in regard to politics, law and elections. In addition, she has been interviewed and quoted by The Wall Street Journal; ABC World News Tonight; CNN; American Spectator; the New York Times; the Washington Times; Politico; and Investors Business Daily. She has lectured at Harvard Law School on Election Law; serves on the Board of the Allegheny Institute; and testified before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.
She has also been consistently recognized as one of Pennsylvania’s best lawyers according to an annual survey conducted by Philadelphia magazine.
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