PHILADELPHIA, Pa., April 5, 2023 — Saxton & Stump has announced the hire of two attorneys to fill vital roles in the Greater Philadelphia area. Terri Pawelski joins the firm as an equity shareholder and will be part of Investigations and Criminal Defense Group in the Philadelphia office. She is joined by senior counsel William DeStefano in the Malvern office who will also be on the Investigations and Criminal Defense team. The group is co-chaired by Mark E. Cedrone and the Hon. Lawrence F. Stengel (Ret.). DeStefano and Pawelski are the latest well-respected and well-known attorneys to join the group that, in addition to Cedrone and Stengel, already includes Hon. Robert A. Graci (Ret.), Carson Morris, Harlan Glasser and William C. Costopoulos.
“Terri and Bill have been recognized throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey as high-profile attorneys for white collar defense for decades and their experience will keep strengthening this growing group,” Saxton & Stump CEO James W. Saxton said.
“I’ve known Terri and Bill for years, and their reputations are impeccable,” said Cedrone. “Having them in our group will have immediate impact and bring the group to a higher level. They will be warmly welcomed and will seamlessly fit in with our group.”
Pawelski has more than 24 years of experience defending individuals and companies against criminal investigations and indictments and has been involved in the defense of more than 100 criminal investigations and 20 trials in federal and state courts. Pawelski is admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and earned her law degree from Boston University School of Law, cum laude, and her undergraduate degree from Dickinson College, magna cum laude. She was named to the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list from 2014 to 2021.
DeStefano has spent his 50-year career defending corporations against federal criminal investigations and indictments and has tried more than 100 criminal and civil cases to verdict, primarily in the federal courts. He is AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell and has been named to the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list each year since 2004. He has also been recognized by the Best Lawyers In America rating service since the early 2000s extending through 2023. DeStefano is admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, earned his law degree from the Duquesne University School of Law and earned his undergraduate degree from Villanova University.
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 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.
