Interview with 45th Annual Institute Chair Kevin Douglass

Current association: Shareholder, Babst Calland

Law School: Duquesne University School of Law

Undergraduate: Mount Union College, B.A. in History

Spouse: Pamela

Children: Kathryn, Julia and Margaret

Home: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh: Casbah in Shadyside has been around for years, has a cozy bar, year-round patio and excellent Mediterranean menu.

EMLF Involvement: Past President who occupied several leadership roles with EMLF before becoming President and who is a frequent speaker at EMLF events; member of Board of Trustees; recipient of the EMLF’s John L. McClaugherty Award for extraordinary service.

How did you get involved in representing clients in the natural resources sector? Babst Calland’s energy, natural resources and environmental focus provided a natural entrée for me to work with and represent clients in the natural resource sector.

What other practice areas do you have? How does representing clients in those areas compare to representing clients in the natural resources sector? I often represent business owners, including family members, who find themselves in conflict with their co-owners or officers. These disagreements can cause a tremendous strain on a company and I enjoy working to resolve the issues to help ensure the business stays on track.

In recent years, I also have been retained by company directors or management to conduct confidential internal investigations concerning allegations of improper conduct by officers, management or employees. This work has been rewarding. 

More generally, over the years, I have litigated a wide variety of commercial and environmental cases. For me, the obvious common denominator working with clients in both the natural resources area and other sectors, is the people. Clients, no matter the sector, appreciate someone who is fully invested in working tirelessly and cooperatively with them to help solve their problems and achieve their goals.

You travel some for work.  Do you find time to travel for fun?  Do you have a favorite place to visit? Work travel is not usually conducive to fully enjoying a new place.:) That said, I did travel to both Germany and England for business early in my career and had a wonderful time site seeing after completing the business portion of my stay.  Frankly, my travel related to the EMLF conferences has been particularly rewarding. My wife, Pamela, and I are very fond of Lexington and we enjoy attending the annual conference there. We have also particularly enjoyed the Annual Institute destinations in Charleston, South Carolina, Amelia Island and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Other favorite travel destinations include Ashville, NC (hiking), Aruba and Cape May NJ.

Do you have any pets? We have an active ninety pound Labrador retriever, Seamus, who keeps us moving for sure.

You have been very involved in leadership roles within the Energy & Mineral Law Foundation and given it untold hours of your time. What is it about EMLF that has prompted you to give so much time to the organization when you have a busy law practice and a family? I remember attending my first EMLF conference many years ago and scanning the room at the cocktail hour looking for a familiar face– to no avail. Now, although I still meet new people every year, I am gratified that there are many familiar faces and I am among friends.

The EMLF offers a unique opportunity to devote time to an organization which provides a return on that investment. The Foundation offers the chance to 1) enhance your personal profile by speaking on topics of importance to natural resource colleagues, 2) listen to, learn from and meet some of the leading energy practitioners, 3) develop your leadership skills and meet new people by joining committees and getting involved and 4) interact with colleagues, clients or potential clients in a relaxed setting.

You have been practicing law for a while and have had success. Is there any advice you would give to new lawyers and law students who are about to become lawyers? Be willing to stretch yourself a bit beyond your comfort zone. Over time, your “comfort zone” will include many skills and talents that in the beginning seemed beyond your reach and scary. Take the time to “refuel” by balancing work with the rest of your life. Living a full life (however you define it) beyond work may actually enhance your professional judgment and abilities, and in any event, it is worth it.