Steptoe & Johnson PLLC Announces Attorney Promotions

BRIDGEPORT, W. Va. – Steptoe & Johnson PLLC is pleased to announce that nine of its attorneys have been promoted, five to Member and four to Of Counsel, effective January 1, 2025.

“This accomplished group of attorneys embraces and demonstrates the firm’s core values, and are dedicated to serving our clients, mentoring others, and serving as leaders inside and outside the firm,” said Steptoe & Johnson CEO Christopher L. Slaughter. “We are proud of the success they have had and look forward to what they will accomplish for our clients in the future.”

Member Attorney Promotions

Bridgeport, WV
Bonnie J. Thomas focuses her practice in the areas of labor and employment and general civil litigation. She advocates for her clients on disputes arising under federal and state employment laws, assists clients in interactions and disputes with unionized workforces, and counsels clients on compliance with state and federal laws.

Charleston, WV
J. Chuck Hudson focuses his practice on energy, oil and gas, and commercial real estate law, with experience in insurance, business, and construction litigation. Chuck has conducted thorough reviews of real property records across West Virginia and Ohio, including legal research related to surface, mineral, and leasehold ownership, and provides comprehensive ownership and curative guidance to clients in the energy sector.

Columbus, OH
John C. Ferrell defends clients in complex litigation, including energy litigation, employment law, and business litigation. He has defended oil and gas operators in claims for breach of lease, royalty disputes, and other energy-related litigation.

Southpointe, PA
Joshua W. Gallo practices in the areas of energy law and mineral title law. He has drafted complex division order title opinions, drilling title opinions, and abstracted for Appalachian Basin oil and gas clients, and has performed large-scale due diligence projects.

Melissa S. Grimes focuses her practice in energy and mineral title law. She is experienced in title abstracts throughout the Appalachian Basin and often evaluates clients’ assets in energy transactions.

Of Counsel Attorney Promotions

Bridgeport, WV
William C. Ballard uses his 20-plus years of legal experience to assist clients in the ever-evolving field of energy litigation, including breach of lease agreements, breach of implied covenants, right-of-way disputes, injunctions against landowners, royalty disputes, and all types of energy-related cases.

Charleston, WV
Perry Cavender brings a fresh perspective and proactive approach to guiding energy clients through the intricate processes involved in mineral and title work. Her years of experience in the energy industry give her unique insight as an attorney where she fosters strong a strong relationship with clients built on trust and open communication.

Pittsburgh, PA
Nicholas R. Raffaele is an intellectual property attorney who focuses his practice in trademark clearance and filing strategies, demand letters, and enforcement and motions. He represents clients in federal litigation including trademark, copyright, trade secret, advertising, unfair competition, and defamation claims, and has prosecuted trademark filings at the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Wheeling, WV
Andreah S. Riedel focuses her practice in energy and mineral title law. She has experience in abstracting for oil and gas and coal title opinions, preparing easements for oil and gas and coal clients, drafting title opinions for oil and gas and coal drilling operations to commence, and conducting due diligence work to evaluate the marketability of clients’ assets.

About Steptoe & Johnson
Steptoe & Johnson PLLC is a law firm nationally recognized for its strengths in energy law with more than a century of know-how in the areas of business, labor and employment, and litigation. Steptoe & Johnson has over 400 lawyers and other professionals practicing in 18 offices in Colorado, Kentucky, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia. Visit and connect with us on X and LinkedIn.

For more information, contact Ryan Daniels, Chief Marketing Officer, at (614) 456-1647 or by email: press@steptoe-johnson.com.