Founder and experienced law firm leader providing direction and strategic vision for the firm’s growth
James W. Saxton is the chairman and co-founder of Saxton & Stump. He is an experienced leader who provides direction and strategic vision for the growth of the firm. Under Jim’s leadership as chief executive officer, in its first ten years, the firm’s revenue has increased nearly 500%, accompanied by exponential growth in the number of attorneys, business professionals, services provided, and geographic footprint.
Building on that strategic vision, Jim is the architect of a different professional services platform—one intentionally designed to embrace innovation at every level. This approach includes the strategic addition of 7+ affiliate companies, expanded marketing and business development support, talent growth initiatives, and the early adoption of AI. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience leading a successful healthcare litigation practice, Jim works closely with practice group leaders and attorneys to mentor them and support their professional development.
Throughout his career, Jim has held numerous leadership roles, including serving as co-chair of the health law practice at an Am Law 200 firm, where he also sat on the firm’s finance committee, as well as on the management committee of a large regional firm. His influence extends beyond the firm: Jim has been named to the Central Penn Business Journal’s Power 100 List for four consecutive years, recognizing the region’s top professional, political, and economic leaders who shape their communities and influence quality of life.
Healthcare Litigation Practice
In his litigation practice, Jim continues to represent hospitals and physicians before state and federal courts in professional liability and complex litigation matters. His practice includes healthcare litigation, health law, medical staff matters and strategic planning. Leveraging his extensive experience as a litigator, Jim advises physicians, hospitals, and post-acute care facilities to reduce their professional liability risk by promoting excellence in patient satisfaction and incorporating certain safety protocols using innovations such as industry-proven data analytics and artificial intelligence. He has helped create innovative risk reduction tools, including specialty-specific diagnostic clinical effectiveness dashboards and patient experience and engagement tools, many of which are now being used nationally. Jim has also created innovative safety programs for captive insurers, many national in scope.
Recognized expert on healthcare law issues
Jim is a nationally known speaker on healthcare issues, including litigation and trial best practices, mitigation, and patient safety, as well as overviews of the changes in the healthcare landscape. He has presented to many prominent healthcare organizations at both the state and national levels, including the American College of Surgeons, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, the American Urological Association, and the Physicians Insurers Association of America. (See “National Speaking Engagements” below for a full list of presentations.)
Additionally, he has published more than 300 articles, several handbooks, and seven textbooks in his field, including Operation Five-Star: Service Excellence in the Medical Practice – Cultural Competency, Post-Adverse Events, and Patient Engagement. (See “Publications” below for a full list.)
Jim is an active member of many professional associations and has been chosen as a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, a prestigious nomination reserved for less than one-half of one percent of the lawyers in the country; Fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia; and a board member of Joy Metrics. In 2017, he was certified as a member of Lawyers of Distinction, an honor limited to the top 10% of attorneys in the United States. As published in Philadelphia Magazine, Jim has been recognized annually on the list of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers since 2012. Additionally, he has been recognized annually by his peers on the list of Best Lawyers in America for his high caliber of work in Litigation – Healthcare since 2016 and as a Select Lawyer in Medical Malpractice Law in 2015.
Dedication to the Community
In addition to his legal pursuits, Jim believes strongly in giving back to the community, volunteering in leadership roles, and lending his expertise to many healthcare and community nonprofits. In 2014, Jim was the recipient of the “Excellence in Philanthropy Award” presented by the Lancaster General Health Foundation’s Board of Trustees. In 2013, he was awarded “Philanthropist of the Year” by The Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Additionally, Jim was the founding board member of the Lancaster Community Health Plan; chairman of the Lancaster YMCA Foundation; and prior to that, president of the Lancaster YMCA Board of Directors. Jim is also a past board member of the American Heart Association.
