LANCASTER, Pa., December 6, 2022 — Saxton & Stump has announced that as of Jan. 1, 2023, the Lancaster law firm Kegel Kelin Litts & Lord LLP will join into Saxton & Stump. The move is a part of Saxton & Stump’s strategic plan to deepen the resources available to current and potential clients. By adding the attorneys from KKLL, Saxton & Stump will now offer legal services in education law and public finance. KKLL has long been recognized as an industry leader in both areas, gaining a reputation for innovation and major successes throughout the state. All of the former firm’s lawyers are joining Saxton & Stump and they will continue providing public sector services described above as well as sophisticated litigation, trusts and estates, labor and employment, and corporate services to private sector businesses and individuals.
“We’re excited to welcome the attorneys of KKLL, who have built impressive practices and achieved so much for their clients,” Saxton & Stump CEO James W. Saxton said. “It is a great cultural fit for both firms — each new team member will have an impact in many of our key practice areas, and we’re looking forward to adding services for the education sector and public finance clients.”
All six attorneys from KKLL will be joining Saxton & Stump, and all will join the Lancaster office starting January 1. Four will join as shareholders, with one coming to the firm as senior counsel and another as associate. Two experienced paralegals from the former firm will also join Saxton & Stump.
Jason T. Confair will be a shareholder and member of the Commercial Litigation Group and the Business, Corporate and Tax Group. Confair was the managing partner at KKLL and he is an experienced litigator, especially for complex litigation. He is also well-known for his business law expertise. Confair earned his J.D. from University of Pittsburgh School of Law and his B.A. from Pennsylvania State University.
Jeffrey D. Litts will be a shareholder and member of the Education, Commercial Litigation, and Labor and Employment groups. Litts is well-known for his work defending and counseling public school entities in civil rights, employment and labor matters, students, policy development and education law matters. He is a past President of the Pennsylvania School Board Solicitors Association, and recently received its President’s Award for Distinguished Career Achievement for contributions to Pennsylvania school law. Litts represents both public and private sectors before state & federal courts, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board. He earned his J.D. from University of Pittsburgh School of Law and his B.A. from Dickinson College.
Rhonda F. Lord will be a shareholder and member of the Trusts & Estates, Education, and Public Finance Groups. She handles estate planning and advises public sector clients such as school districts and municipalities in the issuance of debt, policy matters and contract matters. She earned her J.D. from Dickinson School of Law and her B.A. from the University of Delaware.
Benjamin L. Pratt will be a shareholder and member of the Education, Labor and Employment and Construction groups. He has represented public entities in labor and grievance arbitrations, dismissal hearings, insurance subrogation claims, unemployment and workers compensation claims, court of common pleas litigation and appellate level litigation. He also serves as a solicitor for multiple school districts working on day-to-day educational issues. In 2023, he will be the President of the Pennsylvania School Board Solicitors Association. His J.D. is from Widener University Law School and his B.S. is from Catawba College.
Kay Mercein Mann will join as senior counsel and member of the Investigations and Criminal Defense, Title IX and Education groups. Since 2002, she has also served as general counsel at a York County-based manufacturer, where she sits on the board of directors. She also handles complex litigation, defending school districts in tax assessment appeals and other education law matters. She earned her J.D. from New York University School of Law and her B.A. from Yale.
Also joining the firm is associate attorney Jacob Broadway and paralegals Rachel Boos and Kristi Ober.
“Saxton & Stump’s impeccable reputation, world-class sophistication, and resources are ideal for our clients’ needs,” Confair said. “We are ecstatic about joining the Saxton & Stump team and are certain our clients will be as well.”
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 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 its infrastructure, the firm 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 its strategic plan. In 2023, the plan will include expanding the firm’s Philadelphia office, as previously announced, and continuing to bring on 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.