John B. Fessler

Area of Emphasis Frank Clements is a founding shareholder of Babst Calland. Mr. Clements is experienced in a variety of corporate, finance and commercial transactions. He has a strong background in energy and environmental law. His practice is focused on business transaction work, particularly the acquisition and disposition of businesses and the formation of joint ventures, predominately in the industrial sector. In addition to his M&A practice, Mr. Clements has structured and negotiated...

Litigation Walter’s litigation work has been primarily in the civil area -- commercial disputes of all types, including trade secrets, real estate agreements, products liability, defamation claims, First Amendment access actions, business and employment contracts, non-competition provisions, wrongful termination suits, and discrimination and harassment cases. He has litigated numerous cases in the state and federal courts throughout the United States, including cases in Pennsylvania, Ne...

Area of Emphasis Laura Stone is a member of the Corporate and Commercial and the Public Sector groups at Babst Calland. Her practice focuses primarily on counseling corporate and nonprofit clients in the areas of business planning, acquisitions, real estate and commercial transactions. Mrs. Stone also provides legal services to municipal clients, with emphasis on land use planning and development matters. Background Prior to joining the firm, Mrs. Stone was a partner with two Pittsburgh law f...

Casey Kurtz is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Casey, 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 Casey is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

James M. Berent is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. James M., 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 James M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Christine Zaremski-Young is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Christine, 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 Christine is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jim Burn, a 1985 graduate of Duquesne University, earned his J.D. from the University of Dayton in 1988. In law school, Jim served as president of the Student Bar Association and as president of the law fraternity, Phi Delta Phi, dedicated to promoting the ethical practice of law. Practicing in the areas of Veterans Law, Workers Compensation and Social Security, Jim has dedicated his professional life to helping injured people. Martindale Hubble ranks Jim “AV,” the highest ranking...

“I work with passionate entrepreneurs, business owners, athletes, entertainers, influencers, and visionaries to help them bring their ideas and plans to life by taking the complexity out of business and the law. I solve problems, period. I DO NOT work with people who place a low value on kindness, decency, or integrity in business.” Rocco Cozza is a sought-after business and sports/entertainment lawyer and the founder of the Law Office of Rocco E. Cozza PLLC. He has been practicin...

Darren Oglesby is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Darren, 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 Darren is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Gene Giotto is a trial attorney with three decades of experience. He has tried cases to verdict in dozens of jurisdictions across the country. Gene regularly represents corporate clients in consequential disputes involving seven or eight-digit damage claims and the potential for devastating reputational harm. Today, Gene’s trial practice encompasses several substantive legal areas: Health Law: Gene handles litigation involving health care entities and health regulations, with a particul...