LANCASTER, Pa., December 9, 2022 — Saxton & Stump has announced that long-time practice group chair and shareholder Christopher A. Stump will retire at the end of this year. As planned, the firm has already transitioned Stump’s client and practice leadership responsibilities to other highly experienced shareholders. Throughout his career, Stump has focused on defending businesses and healthcare providers, many of whom are local to Central Pennsylvania. He has served as lead counsel on a cohort of complex medical device cases, defended clients against commercial and constitutional challenges to development plans, and taken over 100 cases to verdict through trial and arbitration or appeal. Further, Stump had led two of the firm’s practice groups and served as COO for a period of time prior to the firm transitioning its business operations to seasoned business executives and professionals. Saxton & Stump will continue to be led by CEO James Saxton, it’s experienced practice chairs and talented business professionals.
“Like much of what we do, this transition has been a methodical process over the last 18 months and all that is left is to thank Chris for his incredible work. Pursuant to our formal transition plan, Chris’s clients have been notified and transitioned. Chris has also done an outstanding job leading both our Healthcare Litigation, and Medical Device and Technology groups,” said Saxton & Stump CEO James Saxton. “I’ve practiced with Chris his entire career, recruiting him out of clerkship in 1987. He has been a tremendous partner and even better friend. We are very happy for Chris and his family as they enter a new and exciting chapter of their lives.”
Stump and Saxton have been practicing law together almost 35 years. They both practiced for nearly a decade at Barley Snyder, and then both spent 17 years at Stevens & Lee. In 2015, Saxton & Stump was founded, kicking off the final seven years Stump’s exceptional career practicing law. Stump has had a tremendous impact through volunteering his expertise with many organizations. He is on the National Leadership Council for World Vision, which provides extreme poverty relief and economic development in over 90 countries and is the largest non-governmental provider of clean water in the world. He also served several terms as Board Chair of Hospice and Community Care, where he first went on the Board of Directors in 1988. Stump also formerly served as Board Chair of Moravian Manor.
“It has been a true joy serving our clients and community with so many excellent coworkers and friends,” said Stump. “And looking forward to this next chapter is made that much more exciting because of the capable hands that my clients are now in.”
The firm’s Healthcare Litigation group will be led by shareholders Steve Costello and Chad Goebel. Costello has successfully represented numerous Fortune 500 companies and major hospitals, healthcare systems and insurance companies and was named the “Lawyer of the Year” in 2022 by Best Lawyers for Philadelphia in Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants. Goebel is a noted litigator who has earned a reputation for aggressive yet pragmatic approach to every case. The team is made up of 30 attorneys, including eight of the firm’s shareholders who bring decades of experience, and a team of in-house, nationally-known clinical experts.
Saxton & Stump’s strategic growth outlook
The firm was named the fastest growing law firm in Pennsylvania by The Legal Intelligencer, having added 53 professionals in 2021, including 22 attorneys. Overall, Saxton & Stump has grown to a team of 175 professionals, including 95 attorneys. The firm has added new services and established groups dedicated to franchising licensing and distribution, investigations and criminal defense and environmental, workplace safety and utilities. In addition to bolstering their infrastructure, they have also grown key existing practice areas such as healthcare, senior care, real estate, government affairs and trusts and estates.
The firm continues to grow based on their strategic plan for 2022 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.