LANCASTER, Pa., September 22, 2025 — Saxton & Stump shareholder Phillip R. Earnest has been named a fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America (CLSA). He was officially inducted during the group’s 2025 International Conference & Induction of Fellows on Sept. 18 in Charleston, S.C.

Earnest is a member of the Saxton & Stump Construction, Commercial Litigation, and Insurance groups and is based in the firm’s Pittsburgh office. In his 30-year career, he has represented owners, contractors, specialty subcontractors, design professionals, insurers, and sureties in complex commercial and residential projects. His work spans contract drafting, negotiation, claims, litigation, arbitration, and mediation.

“It’s an honor to be named a fellow with the Construction Lawyers Society of America,” Earnest said. “The organization is one of the most prestigious in recognizing attorneys who drive the construction industry forward and deliver results for clients. Thank you to the CLSA for its service to the industry.”

The CLSA is an invitation-only international honorary society for leading construction lawyers and related specialists. Fellowship is highly selective and limited to attorneys with a proven record of excellence in construction law at both trial and appellate levels. Candidates may work in any area of construction law — including contracts, negotiations, litigation, arbitration, appeals, or surety law — and must have an exceptional reputation for ethics.

In addition to his CLSA fellowship, Earnest is a member of the Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County, an invitation-only group limited to 250 peer-selected trial lawyers. He has been listed in Best Lawyers in America® each year since 2021 for Construction Law, Insurance Law, and Construction Litigation.

Earnest is the second Saxton & Stump attorney named a CLSA fellow, joining Pittsburgh shareholder D. Matthew Jameson in the national organization.

“Phil and Matt exemplify the caliber of legal talent in our group,” Ronald H. Pollock, chair of the firm’s Construction Group, said. “Two CLSA fellows on our team is meaningful because it speaks to the experience clients can expect from us on complex construction disputes and projects.”

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