LANCASTER, Pa., August 20, 2026 — Saxton & Stump is pleased to announce that 45 of its attorneys have earned recognition in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, one of the legal profession’s most respected peer-review publications.
Among the 45 honorees, 39 attorneys were named to the Best Lawyers list, while six were recognized in the “Ones to Watch” category. Together, the firm’s attorneys were honored across 35 distinct practice areas.
Shareholder and Co-chair of our Healthcare Litigation group, Collin T. Keyser, earned the distinction of “Lawyer of the Year” for Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, an award presented to only one attorney per practice area and region.
“This recognition reflects the dedication our attorneys bring to their clients every day. Being named across so many practice areas speaks to the depth and breadth of talent we have throughout the firm,” said CEO James W. Saxton, who was also named to the 2027 list. “Collin’s recognition as ‘Lawyer of the Year’ is well-earned, a testament to the confidence his clients place in him time and again.”
For more than four decades, Best Lawyers has relied on confidential peer evaluations to identify attorneys who stand out for excellence within their respective practice areas.
Lawyer of the Year
Each year, Best Lawyers awards a “Lawyer of the Year” distinction to the attorney who earns the highest peer review rating in their geographic area within a particular practice category. Collin T. Keyser was awarded the honor this year for Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants.
Keyser is a shareholder in Saxton & Stump’s Lancaster, PA office, where he co-chairs the Healthcare Litigation practice and is a member of the Litigation, Senior Care, and Business Litigation and Strategic Solutions groups. He has been recognized as a Best Lawyer in Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants since 2025.
39 Saxton & Stump Attorneys Named to 2027 Best Lawyers in America® List
These are the Saxton & Stump attorneys who made the 2027 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; Health Care Law
Cherie W. Blackburn – Copyright Law; Employment Law – Management; Labor Law – Management; Litigation – Labor and Employment; Trademark Law
Mark E. Cedrone – Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Matthew Chabal III – Commercial Litigation
David R. Chludzinski – Railroad Law; Transportation Law
Steven D. Costello – Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants; Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants
William C. Costopoulos – Criminal Defense: General Practice; Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Rene Stuhr Dukes – Family Law
Phillip R. Earnest – Construction Law; Insurance Law; Litigation – Construction; Litigation – Insurance
Kurt F. Fernsler – Construction Law; Litigation – Construction
Anthony J. Foschi – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships); Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Bijan K. Ghom –Litigation – Trusts and Estates
Katherine Pandelidis Granbois – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships); Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Douglas C. Hart – Employment Law – Management; Litigation – Labor and Employment
D. Michael Henthorne – Litigation – Labor and Employment; Employment Law – Management
Erik M. Hume – Real Estate Law
Melissa Jabour – Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
D. Matthew Jameson III – Construction Law; Litigation – Construction
David A. Jones II – Real Estate Law
Thomas J. Kent, Jr. – Franchise Law
Collin T. Keyser – Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
Seth A. Mendelsohn – Utilities Law
Kenneth J. McDermott – Commercial Litigation
Stefanie Pitcavage Mekilo – Appellate; Commercial Litigation; Litigation – Environmental
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
Benjamin L. Pratt – Construction Law
Christy L. Rogers – Litigation – Labor and Employment
Richard W. Saxe Jr. – Construction Law; Litigation – Construction
Kimberly A. Selemba – Commercial Litigation
Tonya Sulia – Criminal Defense: General Practice; Criminal Defense: White-Collar
M. Kelly Tillery – Litigation – Intellectual Property; Litigation – Patent
Joshua J. Voss – Criminal Defense: White Collar
Isabelle S. Young – Commercial Litigation
Six 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 six Saxton & Stump attorneys recognized are:
Rebecca Johnson Barksdale – Commercial Litigation; Construction Law
Coulter D. Ebbert – Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
Lauren A. Green – Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
Daniel M. Maier – Litigation – Construction
Katherine McBeth – Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
Abigail Z. Wenger – Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
Saxton & Stump’s strategic growth outlook
With nearly 300 professionals, including more than 150 attorneys, Saxton & Stump continues to grow through its innovative, collaborative model that attracts top legal talent. This expanding platform enhances the firm’s ability to serve clients and includes seven growing affiliated companies that extend its business advisory reach nationwide.
Saxton & Stump is a full-service law firm providing solutions to complex legal and business challenges with five-star service and results-focused advice, offering a refreshingly different experience for clients, attorneys, and business professionals alike.
