Balch & Bingham LLP

Congratulations to our own Katie Kimbrell for being elected to serve on the Executive Committee of the Birmingham Bar Association! Katie is a member of the firm’s Corporate & Commercial Practice. Her proven leadership skills, along with her passion for helping other women succeed, landed her the position as Chair of Balch & Bingham’s Women’s Initiative last year. We are thrilled to see Katie continue her leadership with the Birmingham Bar Association! #BalchLeads #BirminghamBarAssociation Read more: https://direc.to/m3CS

As we reflect on 2024, an important shift in energy regulation emerged with the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Chevron deference in Loper-Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo. This change impacts how the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) interprets its authority under the Federal Power Act, influencing key areas like energy transmission and utility regulation. Lyle Larson’s article, “Beyond Chevron: The Future of FERC’s Authority in a Post-Deference Era,” highlights how this decision could impact judicial review of FERC’s Order Nos. 1920 and 1920-A. Check out Lyle’s analysis, first published by Utility Dive in August, as we close the year and consider what lies ahead for energy and utilities regulation. #EnergyLaw #FERC #BalchLeads #Chevron Read more: https://direc.to/meCA

Warmest wishes for a joyful holiday season. From all of us at Balch & Bingham, thank you for your trust and partnership. We look forward to a bright year ahead together!

Congratulations to Balch’s Ashley Eley Cannady, who has been elected a Fellow of the The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers! The College of Labor and Employment Law comprises the leading lawyers in the United States and Canada in the practice of Labor and Employment Law. Ashley is one of the youngest members ever elected as a Fellow of the College. Ashley is an attorney in the firm’s Jackson office and member of the Labor & Employment Practice. She helps clients navigate workplace laws, maintain regulatory compliance and reduce legal risks. We are proud to have Ashley on #TeamBalch and celebrate her well-deserved recognition. Read more: https://direc.to/m3LW #BalchLeads #LaborAndEmploymentLaw

Meet Meghan Pieler: Equestrian, dog mom, and Georgia transplant. Meghan’s practice focuses on products liability actions and commercial disputes, defending clients in all stages of litigation. From the start of her time at Balch, she seized the opportunity for meaningful trial experience early in her career. Her success and dedication, fueled by strong mentorship, led to her ascent to Partner earlier this year. When she's not in the office advocating for clients, you can find her at home with her husband and goldendoodle Zoe or at the barn with her horse, Prosecco. Read more about why Meghan chooses Balch: https://direc.to/m3va #LifeatBalch #TeamBalch

Meet Alan Lovett: Engineer turned energy lawyer, dad, runner, and retired ski bum. Alan chose Balch for the opportunities to get meaningful work early on in his career and the supportive, close-knit culture that allows him to build strong connections with senior partners and clients. Alan says he valued access to complex work and mentorship from day one. It’s a perfect example of what makes #LifeAtBalch different. Read more about Alan and why he continues to choose #TeamBalch: https://direc.to/m36K

Our hearts are full after The Exceptional Foundation Carolers visited us at our Birmingham office! Thank you for filling our office with holiday cheer and reminding us of the true spirit of the season. We continue to be inspired by the work of the Exceptional Foundation, a Birmingham nonprofit annually serving hundreds of individuals. Balch’s Patrick Strong has the privilege of serving as Chair of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, and we are honored to support the Foundation and its mission to provide year-round social and recreational services to adults and children with intellectual disabilities.

We’re grateful to continue our partnership with the MAGIC CITY BAR ASSOCIATION as a sponsor of the 2024 Scholarship Banquet, where we enjoyed celebrating the inspiring achievements of minority law students across Alabama. This year, the MCBA awarded $25,000 in scholarships to support students on their path to becoming attorneys. We’re honored to support an organization that helps advance the careers of minority attorneys and fosters important conversations about community issues. Congratulations to all the scholarship recipients – we look forward to seeing all that you will achieve! #DiversityInLaw #TeamBalch

Our team had an amazing time participating in the Noonjin & White Race to the Courthouse 5K in Birmingham on Saturday! We were honored to be the Pace Setter Sponsor for this event, which benefits the Downtown YMCA Youth Center, supporting the YMCA’s mission of strengthening our community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Proceeds from the race help support programs for all families, regardless of their ability to pay. Congrats to #TeamBalch’s runners for being the fastest team in the race! #LifeAtBalch #RaceToTheCourthouse

One year after the Supreme Court's decision in Sackett v. EPA, confusion still surrounds its impact on economic development projects like construction, infrastructure, and agriculture. Balch’s Bradley Ennis and Susan Stutts note that while the ruling provided a clearer test for defining "Waters of the United States" (WOTUS), the interpretation and application of that test remain uncertain. Federal agencies like the EPA and Corps of Engineers, along with some courts, are still navigating the complexities of the decision. Check out Bradley and Susan’s article about these complexities and applications of the Sackett Rule in the past year. Bradley and Susan are members of Environmental & Natural Resources Practice in our Gulfport, Mississippi office. Read “Sackett, One Year Later”: https://direc.to/mSED #ICYMI #BalchLeads #EnvironmentalLaw #CWA #SackettDecision #WOTUS