ATTORNEY PROFILE

Rebecca Oblak began her legal career initially representing a large coal operator, which was bombarded with alleged federal (MSHA) and state (OMHS&T) violations in the area of safety and health.  She has represented mine (surface and underground - hard rock, aggregate, metal/nonmetal) operators, independent contractors, quarry/sand/gravel operators and mining vendors involving safety and health issues, 110(c) civil and criminal special investigations and proceedings, 105(c) discrimination temporary reinstatement proceedings and/or hearings, petitions for modifications, conference and litigation representation,  regulatory compliance, and serious accidents and mine fatalities under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (i.e., the “ Mine Act”) and the 2006 MINER Act. 

Rebecca has represented operators and independent contractors in many states across the country, which include but are not limited to, West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Colorado, Alabama, Indiana, Illinois, Utah and Tennessee. Rebecca also provides clients with the following assistance:  presentation of compliance training seminars for front line supervisors and safety specialists; development of specialized regulatory and compliance audits; introduction and perspectives on the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (i.e., the Mine Act) and the MINER Act of 2006; audit evaluations;  accident and/or fatal investigations; representation of surface and/or underground mine management with state and federal investigations; consulting services for specific mine needs;  and compliance with Corrective Action Plan reviews and development for companies placed on MSHA’s Pattern of Violation (“POV”) designations.

In addition, Rebecca has assisted a number of corporate clients with contractual, administrative (health and safety) regulatory issues, as well as other employment issues including representation before the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, West Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission, the West Virginia Human Rights Commission and the West Virginia Occupational Pneumoconiosis Board in hundreds of workers’ compensation claims.