David A. McGowan

Area of Emphasis Chip Babst is Chairman of the Firm and is a member of the Environmental and Energy and Natural Resources groups. Mr. Babst has more than 40 years of experience in providing counsel on environmental matters to both private and public clients. Mr. Babst is a nationally-recognized authority on Clean Air Act issues and has handled complex permitting and compliance issues at federal, state and local levels throughout the United States. His experience in dealing with federal and st...

Brian E. McKinley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Brian E., who practices law in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brian E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Dave Chmiel joined Baum O’Connor Cullen Chmiel in 2009 and focuses his practice in the defense of physicians and dentists, hospitals and long term care facilities and a host of other healthcare and medical providers, including physicians assistants, nurses, physical therapists and certified nurse anesthetists to name a few. Mr. Chmiel pursued his undergraduate degree in political science at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN. Upon graduation, he attended the University of Pi...

Irv currently serves as the firm's Managing Shareholder. He concentrates his practice on land use, zoning , and real estate litigation. Prior to joining Tucker Arensberg, he served as in-house counsel to the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh. He has represented land owners and developers before planning commissions, zoning hearing boards, governing bodies, administrative agencies, and the Court of Common Pleas. In addition, Irv serves as counsel to numerous food service and restaura...

Lisa Smith Presta is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Lisa Smith, who practices law in Erie, Pennsylvania, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lisa Smith is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

William D. Clifford is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. William D., who practices law in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Area of Emphasis Mr. Lucas has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America ® for Land Use and Zoning and Municipal Law since 2007; Litigation – Land Use and Zoning since 2011; and Energy Law since 2015. He was also named the Best Lawyers ® 2012, 2015, 2017, 2020, 2023 and 2025 Litigation – Land Use and Zoning “Lawyer of the Year,” 2013, 2015 and 2024 Municipal Law “Lawyer of the Year,” 2014 and 2018 Land Use and Zoning Law “Lawyer of the Ye...

Thomas A. Smock is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labor Law - Management. Thomas A., who practices law in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Thomas A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Rebecca J. Maziarz is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Rebecca J., who practices law in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Rebecca J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Partner Alexandra L. Kovalchick brings nearly 15 years of experience in diverse family law matters including divorce, support, custody and protection from abuse to Pollock Begg. Aggressive, yet practical and creative in her law practice, Alex connects with her clients early on by identifying their ultimate goals and plans her strategies for the case with those goals in mind. Alex believes in being straightforward with her clients and empowering them with the information necessary to make info...