LANCASTER, Pa., June 2, 2023— Saxton & Stump attorney Hon. Lawrence F. Stengel (Ret.) has been honored with a judicial portrait that now hangs in the James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse in Philadelphia. To preserve the history and tradition of the federal courts, most federal judges commission a portrait once they reach senior status or retire. Stengel retired in 2018 after 14 years of federal judgeship in the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, including a year as the court’s chief judge from 2017 to 2018. Because he served as chief judge of the district, which is the third largest in the United States, Stengel’s judicial portrait will hang in the Ceremonial Courtroom in the courthouse with all the other portraits of the former chief judges dating back to the early 1800s.
Stengel’s family, friends and colleagues joined him at the June 1 unveiling presentation at the federal courthouse in Philadelphia.
“It was a great honor to serve on the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania,” Judge Stengel said. “Having that service commemorated according to this tradition is humbling and I am all the more grateful for my family, friends, colleagues and everyone who contributed to making my service to the country possible.”
Stengel had previously served as a judge in the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas for 14 years. Following his retirement as a federal judge, he joined Saxton & Stump as a shareholder, and he is now the co-chair of the firm’s Investigations and Criminal Defense Group. He also received the 2020 Achievement Award from the Lancaster Bar Association in recognition of his long and distinguished career as an LBA member.
He continues to be an active and sought-after attorney and investigator, as he recently served as a special investigator for the National Football League’s concussion settlement program and was chair of the Independent Oversight Committee for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Independent Reconciliation and Reparations Program.
“Judge Stengel is a pillar of not only the Lancaster law community, but he is also a pillar of Pennsylvania’s law community,” Saxton & Stump CEO James W. Saxton said. “We’re as honored today that he chose to work at our firm as we were five years ago when he joined us. He continues to be an integral part of our firm.”
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 175 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 its 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.