Hydrogen is seen by many as the fuel of the future, a substance that can provide heat through combustion, or electrical power from fuel cells, emitting only water in the process. Its potential usefulness, specifically its ability to replace fossil fuels without generating greenhouse gases, makes it the poster child for clean energy. There are various ways of producing hydrogen, but currently most of it is done in the most cost-efficient way, by steam reforming. That, however, generates carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, that has to be sequestered underground to be considered sustainable...
Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC
Offices
Overview
Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC is a full-service, super-regional law firm serving local, national and international businesses. The firm has eight offices located in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida, and lawyers admitted to practice throughout the country. Innovative in our thinking and approach, we have erased the boundaries of a traditional law practice to think like a true business. Our people are passionately engaged to provide client-driven solutions that achieve clients' business goals and build partnerships. Understanding that our value is in the experience our clients receive, we believe in a client-first philosophy - selfless, hands-on, relentless and collaborative. This is why you can expect different.
Year this Office was Established: 1864
Lawyers Worldwide: 140
Notable
Areas of Practice
Professionals
Members

John F. Allevato
Of Counsel
Andrew P. Arbogast
Member
Michael J. Basile
Chair, Business Expansion & Development
H. Dill Battle
Member
Kevin L. Carr
Member in Charge of Jacksonville Office
Stephanie U. Eaton
Member
Travis H. Eckley
Co-Chair, Real Estate Group
Betty J. Evans-Pagur
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Lee F. Feinberg
Counsel
David P. Ferretti
Member in Charge of Lawyer Administration
Joseph A. (Jay) Ford
Member
Matthew W. Gallimore
Member
Christopher M. Green
Member
Laura E. Hayes
Co-Chair, Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Group
Mark E. Heath
Member
William M. Herlihy
Chair, Natural Resources
Eric W. Iskra
Member in Charge of Client Relations
Bruce M. Jacobs
Member
Eric E. Kinder
Member
Clifford F. Kinney,
Member
Tai Shadrick Kluemper
Member
Charity K. Lawrence
Member
Alexander Macia
Member
Brienne T. Marco
Member
Nicholas P. Mooney
Member
Barry A. Naum
Member
Joyce Fleming Ofsa
Co-Chair, Real Estate Group
Charles W. C. W. Pace,
Member
Paul G. Papadopoulos
Co-Chair, State & Local Taxation
Don C. A. Parker
Chair, Insurance Coverage & Bad Faith
Jeffrey D. Patton
Member in Charge of Winston-Salem Office
Niall A. Paul
Member
Peter M. Pearl
Member in Charge of Roanoke Office
Mitchell J. Rhein
Member
Susan J. Riggs
Member
Edward W. Rugeley
Member
James E. Simon
Member
Gerald M. Titus
Member
Alexander L. Turner,
Member
Karin L. Weingart
Chair, Federal Black Lung
Derrick Price Williamson
Member in Charge of Harrisburg Office
David L. Yaussy
Chair, EnvironmentalSenior Attorneys & Associates

Victoria L. Creta
Associate
Lee D. Denton
Senior Attorney
Brandon M. Hartman
Senior Attorney
Tai Shadrick Kluemper
Assistant Chair, Recruiting
Wesley A. Shumway
Associate
Chelsea E. Thompson
Senior AttorneyCounsel

G. Thomas Battle
Of Counsel
Samuel M. Brock
Counsel
Mark D. Clark
Counsel
James S. Crockett
Of Counsel
Paula L. Durst
Counsel
James D. Elliott
Counsel
Caroline C. Green
Counsel
F. Richard Hall
Of Counsel
Lee O. Hill
Of Counsel
Sarah E. Kowalkowski
Counsel
Neva G. Lusk
Of Counsel
John J. Nesius
Of Counsel
Jason C. Pizatella
Counsel
David B. Shapiro
Of Counsel
John R. Teare
Counsel
Ellen J. Vance
Counsel
Charles L. Woody
Of CounselOther

Anthony D. Mullins
Litigation Support Manager
Juliet A. Terry
Government Relations Specialist
Joseph C. Unger
AssociateArticles
Understanding the New Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and Full Scope of Pregnancy-Related Discrimination Laws for Schools
On June 27, 2023, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (“PWFA”) went into effect. This new law requires covered employers to provide “reasonable accommodations” for the known limitations of a worker relating to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless the accommodation would cause the employer “undue hardship.” What does this mean and how will the new law be enforced? The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) is required to issue regulations to carry out the PWFA. No date for issuance is presently known...
Press
Numerous Spilman Attorneys Recognized by 2024 Best Lawyers, Lawyers of the Year, Ones to Watch
Charleston, W.Va. — Spilman Thomas & Battle (Spilman) announced that 71 of the firm's attorneys were selected by their peers for inclusion on the 2024 Best Lawyers list, nine were selected as Best Lawyers "Lawyers of the Year," and 18 others were selected as Best Lawyers "Ones to Watch." Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Its methodology is designed to capture the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area. More information can be found at https://www.bestlawyers.com/methodology...
Spilman Partner Neiser Named to AAA Roster of Arbitrators & Mediators
Pittsburgh — Spilman Thomas & Battle (Spilman) announced that partner Julian E. Neiser has been appointed to the American Arbitration Association’s (AAA) Roster of Arbitrators & Mediators. Neiser was selected to join the AAA’s roster because of his experience handling a wide range of construction and commercial cases. He has won numerous verdicts/awards before arbitration panels and courts over the past 20 years. Within the last year alone, he won a jury trial in federal court involving a common law trademark and a multi-million dollar award from the AAA involving pipeline construction...