LANCASTER, Pa., January 6, 2023 — Saxton & Stump shareholder Kathy L. Pape has been elected as the chair of the first Pennsylvania Western University Council of Trustees.
“It’s a great honor to serve as the chair of the council to help steer its direction as we open a new chapter after the integration of Edinboro, Clarion and California universities. The focus of the PennWest University Council of Trustees is to guide and support the president in providing the best educational experience at the lowest cost for our students in rural Pennsylvania. Supporting our local communities with an educated workforce, with whatever degrees or certificates meet the needs of local employers, is also a goal in which the trustees will play a role,” Pape said. “This is a historic opportunity to shape the universities’ future and benefit students and our communities.”
Pape is the co-chair of the Saxton & Stump Environmental, Workplace Safety and Utilities Group. Before joining the firm, she was the president and CEO of Pennsylvania American Water and head of American Water’s Mid-Atlantic region. Before earning the title of CEO, she was senior vice president and treasurer of Aqua America and vice president of rates at American Water and at General Waterworks. After she graduated manga cum laude from Edinboro, she went on to earn her J.D. from The Dickinson School of Law and her LL.M. in taxation from the Villanova University School of Law.
In addition to working with this new organization, she also is a member of the board of directors of Highmark Health, vice-chair of the board at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and a member of the Central Pennsylvania Community Board of Directors for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
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 more than 170 professionals, including 97 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, it has 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 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.