LANCASTER, Pa., August 23, 2023 — Saxton & Stump is pleased to announce that 23 of its attorneys have been recognized in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, one of the legal profession’s oldest and most respected lawyer ranking publications. For almost 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.

Lawyer of the Year (again)

In addition to Best Lawyers naming Steven D. Costello to its 2024 list, the ranking service also named him “Lawyer of the Year” in the Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants practice area. This is the second time in three years Costello has been honored with this distinction after he was Lawyer of the Year in 2022. To be named a Lawyer of the Year, an attorney earns the highest peer review ranking in their geographic area. Costello earned the distinction in the Philadelphia area. He has now been named to the Best Lawyers list eight consecutive years, and he also was named to the 2024 Best Lawyers list for Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants.

Costello’s practice includes professional malpractice litigation, defending physicians, hospitals and long-term care facilities. He has devoted nearly 40 years of his legal career handling civil litigation and the majority of his practice involves defending cases associated with catastrophic injury or death. Steve has successfully represented numerous Fortune 500 companies and major hospitals, healthcare systems and insurance companies, having received nearly 150 defense verdicts in jury trials.

Seventeen Saxton & Stump attorneys named to 2023 Best Lawyers in America list

In addition to Costello, these Saxton & Stump attorneys also made the Best Lawyers in America list:

James W. Saxton, Esq. is recognized for his work in Litigation – Health Care and Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers for nine consecutive years. Pennsylvania Super Lawyers also named him to its list in 2023, and the Central Penn Business Journal named Saxton to its Power 100 list this year as well. 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.

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

William C. Costopoulos, Esq. is recognized for Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Costopoulos is considered one of the top criminal defense lawyers on the East Coast and has handled many high-profile cases throughout his career. Costopoulos has made the Best Lawyers list since its inception in 1983.

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

Anthony J. Foschi, Esq. has been named to his first Best Lawyers list in the area of Mergers and Acquisitions Law. 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 fourth time being named to the Best Lawyers list, and the first year she was named for Mergers and Acquisitions Law. She is the chair of the firm’s Business, Corporate and Tax Group.

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

Scott Alan Mitchell, Esq. has been named to the list for the first time in the area of Trusts and Estates. He is the firm’s 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 fourth time Mumford has been named to the Best Lawyers list.

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

Alice F. Paylor, Esq. is recognized in six different practice areas: 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 14 consecutive times.

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

Ronald H. Pollock, Esq. is recognized for his work in Litigation – Insurance and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants. The trial lawyer has been recognized on the list for four straight years. He is the chair of the firm’s Commercial Litigation and Construction Groups.

Kimberly A. Selemba, Esq. is making her debut on the list in the area of Commercial Litigation. She is an experienced litigator with a focus in the real estate and senior care industries.

Barry A. Solodky, Esq. has been named to the list for the third straight year in the field of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law as well as Litigation – Bankruptcy. He is the chair of the firm’s Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring Group.

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 in the Philadelphia region.

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

This Best Lawyers in America list recognizes lawyers that have been 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 six Saxton & Stump attorneys recognized are:

Jarina D. Duffy, Esq. has been recognized in the area of Intellectual Property Law. This is the first time she has been named to the Ones to Watch list.

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

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

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 two years.

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

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

Saxton & Stump’s strategic growth outlook

The firm was named one of the fastest growing law firms in Pennsylvania by The Legal Intelligencer in 2022. Overall, Saxton & Stump has grown to a team of more than 190 professionals, including more than 100 attorneys. Recently, the firm has added established groups dedicated to education, public finance, franchising licensing and distribution, investigations and criminal defense and environmental, workplace safety and utilities.

The firm continues to grow based on their strategic plan for 2023 and will continue to expand its current team of lawyers and professionals, focusing on bringing additional resources to support client needs.

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.