LANCASTER, Pa., August 15, 2024 — Saxton & Stump is pleased to announce that 27 of its attorneys have been recognized in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, one of the legal profession’s oldest and most respected lawyer-ranking publications. For four decades, Best Lawyers lists have been compiled by conducting peer-review surveys in which leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers, with its core mission of highlighting the top legal talent.

Twenty-one Saxton & Stump attorneys named to 2025 Best Lawyers in America list

These are the Saxton & Stump attorneys that made the 2025 Best Lawyers in America list:

James W. Saxton, Esq. is recognized for his work in Litigation – Health Care and Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants. Best Lawyers has now recognized Saxton for 10 consecutive years. Pennsylvania Super Lawyers also named him to its list in 2024, and the Central Penn Business Journal named Saxton to its Power 100 list this year for the fifth straight time. Saxton is the CEO of Saxton & Stump and has represented doctors, hospitals and other healthcare professionals in state and federal courts for more than 30 years.

Andy P. Berger, Esq. made the Best Lawyers list for the first time this year for the category of Corporate Law. Berger is a shareholder and the chair of the firm’s Mergers and Acquisitions Group.

Mark E. Cedrone, Esq. is recognized for Criminal Defense: White Collar for the fifth consecutive time. Cedrone is the co-chair of the firm’s Investigations and Criminal Defense Group.

David R. Chludzinski, Esq. has made the Best Lawyers list for the second year in a row in Railroad Law. He is a senior counsel attorney in the Saxton & Stump Trucking and Commercial Transportation practice.

Steven D. Costello, Esq. has been named to the Best Lawyers list for Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants. He has made the list nine years in a row, and on the 2022 and 2024 lists, Best Lawyers also named him “Lawyer of the Year” in the Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants practice area.

William C. Costopoulos, Esq. is recognized for Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Costopoulos has made the Best Lawyers list each year since its inception in 1983.

William A. DeStefano, Esq. has been on the Best Lawyers list since 2005. He continues to be recognized for his work in the area of Criminal Defense: White Collar.

Anthony J. Foschi, Esq. has been named to the Best Lawyers list for Mergers and Acquisitions Law for the second consecutive year. He is the chair of the firm’s Hospitality Group.

Katherine Pandelidis Granbois, Esq. is recognized for her work in Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law, and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. This is her fifth time being named to the Best Lawyers list, and the second year she was named for Mergers and Acquisitions Law. She is the chair of the firm’s Business and Corporate Group.

Erik M. Hume, Esq. has been named to the list for his work in Real Estate Law. This is the sixth consecutive year Hume has been named to the list and he is the chair of the firm’s Real Estate Group.

Collin T. Keyser, Esq. has made his first Best Lawyers list in the Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants category. He is a shareholder and co-chair of the Saxton & Stump Senior Care Group.

Scott Alan Mitchell, Esq. has been named to the list for the second time in Trusts and Estates. He is the firm’s co-chair of the Trusts and Estates Group.

Shaun J. Mumford, Esq. is recognized on the list for his work in Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants. This is the fifth time Mumford has been named to the Best Lawyers list, and he is co-chair of the firm’s Healthcare Litigation Group.

Elizabeth “Beth” J. Palmer, Esq. is recognized in Commercial Litigation for the fifth straight year. Palmer partners with businesses to provide guidance on operational issues such as probate litigation, contracts, and employment matters.

Alice F. Paylor, Esq. made the Best Lawyers list in six categories: Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Employment Law – Individuals, Employment Law – Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment, and Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Paylor has been named to the list 15 consecutive times.

Wayne M. Pecht, Esq. continues to make the Best Lawyers list for Corporate Law and Trusts and Estates. Pecht joined Saxton & Stump in April and is the co-chair of the firm’s Trusts and Estates Group.

Michael D. Pipa, Esq. is a shareholder trial attorney who has been named to the Best Lawyers list for the second time in the area of Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants.

Ronald H. Pollock, Esq. has been recognized for his work in Litigation – Insurance, Mediation and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants for five straight years. He is the chair of the firm’s Commercial Litigation and Construction groups.

Kimberly A. Selemba, Esq. has made the Best Lawyers list in the area of Commercial Litigation for the second straight year. She is an experienced litigator focusing on the real estate and senior care industries.

Barry A. Solodky, Esq. has been named to the list for the fourth straight year in the field of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law as well as Litigation – Bankruptcy.

M. Kelly Tillery, Esq. has now been recognized on the Best Lawyers list each year since 2011. The intellectual property litigator was recognized in the areas of Litigation – Patent and Litigation – Intellectual Property.

Lawyer of the Year (again)

For the second time in her career, Best Lawyers has named Alice F. Paylor as “Lawyer of the Year” for Bet-the-Company Litigation. She also has been named “Lawyer of the Year” on this list for Employment Law – Individuals. She previously had been Lawyer of the Year in Bet-the-Company Litigation in 2019, and in 2017, she was named Lawyer of the Year for Litigation – Labor and Employment. To be named a Lawyer of the Year, an attorney earns the highest peer review ranking in their geographic area.

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

This Best Lawyers in America list recognizes attorneys who have been practicing for five to nine years and have made a significant impact early in their careers. The list is also developed through peer review. The six Saxton & Stump attorneys recognized are:

Zachary J. Duffy, Esq. is recognized in Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants for the fifth consecutive year. 

Bijan K. Ghom, Esq. was named to the “Ones to Watch” for Commercial Litigation for the fifth straight year. In addition, the senior counsel has been named to the Ones to Watch list in the area of Corporate Law for the second straight year. 

Lauren A. Green, Esq. has been recognized in the area of Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants. She has been named to the Ones to Watch list the last three years and recently the firm promoted her to senior counsel. 

Lance D. Greene, Esq. is recognized in the areas of Commercial Litigation and Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants. This is the third consecutive year the Lancaster-area senior counsel attorney has been recognized by Best Lawyers on the Ones to Watch list.

Samuel D. Harrison, Esq. joined Saxton & Stump in March, and this is the third time he has been named to the Ones to Watch List for Commercial Litigation. He is the co-chair of the Saxton & Stump Higher Education Group.

Emina M. Henne, Esq. has now been named to the Ones to Watch list for four consecutive years. She was recognized in the area of Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants.

Saxton & Stump’s strategic growth outlook

With 200 professionals, including more than 110 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.

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