Granbois, Blackburn named ‘Lawyer of the Year’ in Best Lawyers as 35 Saxton & Stump attorneys recognized

 LANCASTER, Pa., August 25, 2025 — Saxton & Stump is pleased to announce that 35 of its attorneys have been recognized in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, one of the legal industry’s most respected peer-review publications.

Of the 35 attorneys honored, 28 were named to the Best Lawyers list and seven were recognized in the Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch” category. Collectively, the firm’s attorneys were recognized across 63 practice areas.

Notably, shareholders Katherine Pandelidis Granbois and Cherie W. Blackburn were named “Lawyer of the Year,” an honor given to one lawyer in each practice area and region.

“These recognitions confirm what clients experience across our platform: focused advocacy, clear counsel, and a team that collaborates across disciplines,” said CEO James W. Saxton, who was also named to the 2026 list. “Kathy’s and Cherie’s ‘Lawyer of the Year’ honor highlights the leadership driving our firm and the results our attorneys deliver every day.”

Best Lawyers has published its list for more than 40 years, using confidential peer evaluations to recognize attorneys for their professional excellence in specific practice areas.

Lawyer(s) of the Year

Each year, Best Lawyers awards a “Lawyer of the Year” distinction. To earn this achievement an attorney earns the highest peer review rating in their geographic area in a particular practice category. On the 2026 list, two Saxton & Stump attorneys were named Lawyer of the Year:

Cherie W. Blackburn, a shareholder in Saxton & Stump’s Charleston, S.C., office, was named Lawyer of the Year in two categories, Litigation – Labor and Employment, and Employment Law – Management. This is the fifth time she has been named a Lawyer of the Year in Employment Law – Management and the second time in Litigation – Labor and Employment. Overall, Blackburn has been a staple on the Best Lawyers list each year since 2005.

Katherine Pandelidis Granbois has been named a “Lawyer of the Year” in the practice of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships). Granbois is a shareholder in Saxton & Stump’s Lancaster office, and is the chair of the firm’s Business and Corporate Group. This is the sixth year she has been named to the Best Lawyers list, but the first time she has earned the prominent “Lawyer of the Year” distinction.

28 Saxton & Stump attorneys named to 2026 Best Lawyers in America list

These are the Saxton & Stump attorneys who made the 2026 Best Lawyers in America® list (practice areas each attorney was recognized for are listed after their name):

James W. Saxton – Litigation – Health Care; Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants

Cherie W. Blackburn – Copyright Law; Employment Law – Management; Labor Law – Management; Litigation - Labor and Employment; Trademark Law

Mark E. Cedrone – Criminal Defense: White Collar

David R. Chludzinski – Railroad Law

Steven D. Costello – Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants; Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants

William C. Costopoulos – Criminal Defense: General Practice; Criminal Defense: White-Collar

Phillip R. Earnest – Construction Law; Insurance Law; Litigation – Construction

Kurt F. Fernsler – Construction Law; Litigation – Construction

Anthony J. Foschi – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships); Mergers and Acquisitions Law

Katherine Pandelidis Granbois – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships); Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law

Erik M. Hume – Real Estate Law

D. Matthew Jameson III – Construction Law; Litigation – Construction

Collin T. Keyser – Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants

Kenneth J. McDermott – Commercial Litigation

Scott Alan Mitchell – Trusts and Estates

Shaun J. Mumford – Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants

Elizabeth “Beth” J. Palmer – Commercial Litigation; Litigation – Trusts and Estates

Alice F. Paylor – Bet-the-Company Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Employment Law – Individuals; Employment Law – Management; Litigation - Labor and Employment; Litigation - Trusts and Estates

Wayne M. Pecht – Corporate Law; Trusts and Estates

Michael D. Pipa – Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants

Ronald H. Pollock – Litigation – Insurance; Mediation; Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants

Christy L. Rogers – Litigation – Labor and Employment

Richard W. Saxe Jr. – Construction Law; Litigation – Construction

Kimberly A. Selemba – Commercial Litigation

Barry A. Solodky – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law; Litigation – Bankruptcy

M. Kelly Tillery – Litigation – Intellectual Property; Litigation – Patent

Joshua J. Voss – Criminal Defense: White Collar

Isabelle S. Young – Commercial Litigation

Seven Saxton & Stump attorneys named to “Ones to Watch” list

The Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch” list recognizes attorneys practicing for five to nine years who have made a significant impact early in their careers. The list is also developed through peer review. The seven Saxton & Stump attorneys recognized are:

• Rebecca Johnson Barksdale – Commercial Litigation; Construction Law
• Coulter D. Ebbert – Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
• Bijan K. Ghom – Commercial Litigation; Corporate Law
• Lauren A. Green – Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
• Andrea N. Kusselson – Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
• Daniel M. Maier – Litigation – Construction
• Abigail Z. Wenger – Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants

Saxton & Stump’s strategic growth outlook

With nearly 300 professionals, including over 150 attorneys, Saxton & Stump's innovative model continues to attract highly talented and experienced attorneys, driving the growth of the law firm and its affiliate companies nationwide.

Saxton & Stump provides solutions for complex legal issues and partners with clients to create a roadmap for their success. The firm is committed to empowering clients by delivering five-star service and results-focused advice.