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Phone: (717) 941-1208
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Jason G. Benion, Esq.
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Jason Benion takes care of the people who care for the dead and their loved ones.
As the head of Saxton & Stump’s Death Care group, Jason helps clients through the questions, deals and disputes that affect funeral homes, cemeteries, crematories, and other mortuary businesses and professionals.
Jason guides death care businesses through mergers & acquisitions, succession planning and other transactions with a focus on getting the best deal possible, while maintaining good relationships and the bottom line. On the buy side, Jason helps clients of all sizes target and acquire businesses that further their strategic goals. On the sell side, Jason helps clients smoothly transition to their next chapter and preserve business and family legacies.
Clients rely on Jason for assistance with licensing, the FTC Funeral Rule and state regulatory compliance. He regularly fields questions about preneed marketing, trusts and insurance, right of disposition issues, cremation authorization and disinterment. He also advises clients on the impact of federal and state legislation and regulations.
An experienced litigator, Jason can resolve consumer complaints, defend against licensing board charges and navigate business break-ups. He has significant experience litigating constitutional claims and against the government and litigates contract disputes, trade secret and non-compete claims, and employment matters.
Jason previously served as law clerk to the Hon. John E. Jones III in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. After he received his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center, Jason began his career with Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP in their Washington, D.C. office. Before joining Saxton & Stump, he was a principal in the business law and litigation practice group in the Harrisburg office of Post & Schell, P.C.
“I wanted to thank you for doing an amazing job representing me through what has been a long arduous process. I know this was a team effort but you navigated some intense, complicated and exhausting issues, always focusing on my best interest. You can add me to your list of satisfied funeral home owners.” — The owner of four funeral homes, a cemetery, and a crematory, following the sale of his business to a publicly traded company.*
“We cannot thank you enough for all of your advice and support in our crazy adventure. Business has been great so far and hopefully will continue. If we ever need any legal advice you will be my first call!” — A funeral director reflecting on the purchase of his first funeral home and crematory.*
Representative Experience
Represented the purchaser in a $25 million acquisition of a chain of funeral homes, crematories, and cemeteries
Represented family-owned funeral homes, cemetery and crematory in the $11 million sale of the business to a publicly traded company
Helped reorganize a funeral home corporation to avoid conflicts between generations and ensure the business remained in the family
Changed Pennsylvania law regarding food service in funeral homes by obtaining dismissal disciplinary charges against a funeral home
Successfully defended a funeral home against consumer complaints arising from family right of disposition dispute
Defended an insurance agency against consumer protection claims brought by state Attorney General’s office, resulting in a favorable settlement
Obtained a cease and desist order, which shut down an illegal online cremation marketer
Successfully litigated a challenge to the constitutionality of the Pennsylvania Funeral Director Law
Brought First Amendment retaliation claims resulting in a favorable settlement for a small business and the termination of defendant local officials
Enforced a funeral home’s non-compete and collected $500,000 in compensation for the client
Obtained an order for a developer allowing the disinterment of historic remains found on the site of a multi-million dollar construction project
*Testimonials found on this website are from actual clients. No monetary consideration was offered or given in exchange for these testimonials. Please keep in mind that the result of any legal matter depends on the unique circumstances of each case. These testimonials are not a guarantee or prediction of the outcome of your legal matter, and we cannot guarantee particular results for future clients based on successes we have achieved in past legal matters.
PRACTICES
EDUCATION
Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., cum laude, 2005
George Washington University, B.A. International Affairs, summa cum laude, 2001
BAR ADMISSIONS
Pennsylvania
District of Columbia
Massachusetts
COURT ADMISSIONS
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
MEMBERSHIPS
International Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Association
Pennsylvania Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Association, General Counsel
Cremation Association of North America (CANA)
Federal Bar Association
Pennsylvania Bar Association
Dauphin County Bar Association
James S. Bowman American Inn of Court
Community Involvement
State YMCA of Pennsylvania, Board of Directors
Humane Society of Harrisburg Area, Board of Directors
Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, Collection Coordinator
Speaking Engagements and Publications
Saxton & Stump Death Care Insights
Pennsylvania Dental Hygienists’ Association “Understanding Labor and Employment Law for Dental Hygienists in Pennsylvania,” 2020
Funeral Service Insider, “Be Our Guest: Pennsylvania Board Opens the Door to Offering Food,” 2019
Testified before the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Local Government Committee on Access to Cemeteries, 2017
International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association, Fall Management Conference, Federal Court & the Political Quagmire of Unconstitutional Laws, Speaker, 2013
Northampton County Community College, Funeral Service Education, U.S. and Pennsylvania Funeral Law, Guest Lecturer, 2013
New Jersey Cemetery Association Annual Conference, Before and After: How Heffner v. Murphy Changed the Pennsylvania Funeral Director Law, Keynote Speaker, 2013
“Legal Challenges to Regulations in Federal Court,” for Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Creating, Influencing and Challenging a Regulation, Author, 2012
Long Time Coming: Pennsylvania’s Antiquated Funeral Director Law, Death Care Management Council Conference, Author, 2012
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