PERSONNEL FILE: Steptoe & Johnson elevates 10 to membership

BRIDGEPORT - Susan S. Brewer, CEO of Steptoe & Johnson, has announced that effective Jan. 1, 10 of the firm’s attorneys will be promoted to membership.

Tammie C. Alexander focuses her legal practice in the areas of banking, real estate, commercial transactions and construction law. She joined Steptoe & Johnson’s Morgantown, W.Va. office in 2009 after serving as Vice President and General Counsel to a nationally recognized bank. Alexander is very active in Morgantown and surrounding communities. She served as co-chair of the 2012 WVU Children’s Hospital Gala, and is a member of the board of directors for the United Way of Monongalia & Preston Counties, Friends of WVU Hospitals and Habitat for Humanity of West Virginia. She was recently presented with the 2012 Outstanding Board Member Award for her service to Habitat for Humanity.

William J. Black IV practices energy and mineral law specializing in assisting clients with mineral title examinations and opinions. Black also practices in the Morgantown office. He received his Bachelor’s degree from West Liberty State College and his Juris Doctor from West Virginia University. He joined the firm in 2006 and is a member of the Energy and Mineral Law Foundation and Northern Appalachian Landman’s Association.

Jonathan R. Ellis practices in the firm’s Charleston office. He focuses his practice in the areas of mine safety law and the defense of mine operators and other energy clients in civil litigation against claims of wrongful death, deliberate intent, personal injury and breach of contract. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Concord College and his Juris Doctor from Washington & Lee University. He is a member of the Energy and Mineral Law Foundation, the West Virginia Coal Association, and the Kentucky Coal Association. He joined the firm in 2006.

Brian R. Hopkins also practices in the Charleston office. For over 20 years, his practice has focused on coal, oil and gas, gas pipeline and commercial real estate law. Hopkins joined Steptoe & Johnson in 2011 after serving 10 years as in-house counsel to a major energy production company, and several gas transmission and distribution companies. Hopkins earned his Bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University and his Juris Doctor from Washington & Lee University. He is a member of the Energy and Mineral Law Foundation.

Kurt L. Krieger practices energy law in the firm’s Charleston office. He represents clients before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Public Service Commission of West Virginia as well as other state and local public utility commissions. Krieger joined Steptoe & Johnson in 2010 and is a graduate of Wheeling Jesuit University (B.S.) and West Virginia University (J.D.). He is a member of the Energy Bar Association, American Gas Association and the Independent Petroleum Association of America.

David B. Malone practices public finance law in Steptoe & Johnson’s Lexington, Ky. office. He represents public entities and other issuing authorities with tax-exempt and taxable bonds. Malone joined the firm in 2011 and is a graduate of Northern Kentucky University (J.D.) and Hanover College (B.A.).

Sarah C. McCarty focuses her practice is the areas of banking, commercial transactions, real estate and bankruptcy in the firm’s Charleston office. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Ohio University. She joined Steptoe & Johnson in 2006 after graduating from The Ohio State University where she obtained her Juris Doctor. McCarty is a member of the Community Bankers Association of West Virginia and Charleston Area Alliance.

Timothy M. McKeen practices energy and mineral law as well as real estate transactional law in the firm’s Wheeling office. McKeen graduated from Washington & Lee University with his Juris Doctor and from Wheeling Jesuit University with his Bachelor’s degree. He serves on the board of directors for Vision Shared, OVConnect, Elmhurst and Regional Economic Development Partnership. He is also the President-elect of the Rotary Club of Wheeling. He joined Steptoe & Johnson in 2006.

Brian J. Pulito practices civil, construction, oil, gas and mineral litigation from the firm’s Meadville, Pa. office. He joined Steptoe & Johnson in 2010 when it merged with Meadville firm Culbertson, Weiss, Schetroma and Schug, P.C. Pulito earned his Bachelor’s degree from Gannon University and his Juris Doctor from Syracuse University. He is a member of the Western Pennsylvania American Inns of Court and the Crawford County Young Lawyers Division.

Peter J. Raupp focuses his practice in the areas of commercial litigation, professional liability, civil rights and appellate law. He earned both his Bachelor’s degree and his Juris Doctor from The College of William and Mary. Raupp is a veteran of the United States Air Force where he served in the Judge Advocate General Corps and earned the rank of captain. Raupp joined Steptoe & Johnson in 2007.