The Depth of Experience is Our Differentiator
With nearly four decades on the bench and decades more in high-stakes litigation and appeals, the Appellate Advocacy team at Saxton & Stump brings a rare, inside-out understanding of how appellate decisions are made and how to influence them. We do more than navigate the appellate process — we have helped shape it.
Our attorneys and former judges have presided over and litigated hundreds of civil and criminal appeals across every Pennsylvania appellate court and multiple federal circuits. Whether advising trial counsel or leading an appeal, our team brings clarity, authority, and persuasive strength to each case.
Meet the Team Behind Our Appellate Success
With a powerhouse roster that includes two former U.S. District Court judges and a retired Pennsylvania Superior Court judge, our group offers deep judicial insight and a strategic, forward-thinking approach to appellate litigation.
Our professionals are known for their legal acumen and ability to distill complex trial records into persuasive legal narratives. Our attorneys have successfully briefed and argued appeals involving:
- State and federal constitutional challenges
- State and federal regulatory challenges
- Statutory construction
- Business litigation
- Medical malpractice and healthcare litigation
- Sentencings and criminal convictions
- Construction litigation
- Preliminary and permanent injunctions
- Amicus briefs on behalf of non-profits and professional associations
Hon. Christopher C. Conner (Ret.)
Co-Chair and Shareholder
- Served 22 years as U.S. district judge, including seven as chief judge, in the Middle District of Pennsylvania
- Presided over nationally watched cases, including “Kids for Cash”; former vice president of the Pennsylvania Bar Association
Matthew W. Rappleye
Co-Chair and Shareholder
- More than 30 years as a trial and appellate litigator, with successful appeals before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and Pennsylvania appellate courts
- General counsel at Saxton & Stump, advising on complex firmwide legal strategy
Hon. Lawrence F. Stengel (Ret.)
Shareholder
- Served 14 years as U.S. district judge in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, following 14 years on the bench at the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas
- Former chief judge and seasoned neutral in complex civil matters and post-trial disputes
Hon. Robert A. Graci (Ret.)
Senior Counsel
- Former Pennsylvania Superior Court judge and chief counsel to the Judicial Conduct Board of Pa.
- Served 18 years as deputy attorney general for Pennsylvania, focused on appellate and criminal law
Mark E. Cedrone
Shareholder
- Federal litigator for 35 years, with successful arguments in multiple U.S. appellate courts
- Represents high-ranking officials and business owners in white-collar and post-conviction matters
Jason T. Confair
Shareholder
- Has litigated numerous appeals, securing significant wins, before the Pennsylvania appellate courts.
- Clerked for a former Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and a former Senior Judge of the Pennsylvania Superior Court.
Harlan W. Glasser
Shareholder
- Former assistant U.S. attorney, Middle District of Pennsylvania, handling complex appeals
- Focuses on federal litigation, regulatory enforcement, and post-trial strategy
Shohin Vance
Shareholder
- Argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and Pennsylvania Supreme Court
- Advises elected officials and legislative bodies in high-stakes trial and appellate litigation
Joshua J. Voss
Shareholder
- Litigated multiple appeals before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Commonwealth Court, and Superior Court
- Leads precedent-setting appeals in constitutional, political, and commercial matters
Kathryn D. Maza Courtney
Senior Counsel
- Advises healthcare clients on appellate strategy, medical malpractice defense, and post-verdict risk management
- Clerked in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit; admitted to practice in both
Elizabeth M. Ray
Senior Counsel
- Former prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, including five years as assistant U.S. attorney
- Handled U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit appeals involving forfeiture, restitution, and financial crime
Jennifer S. Snyder
Senior Counsel
- Litigates in mass torts, antitrust class actions, and multidistrict federal cases
- Advises hospitals on risk exposure and appellate issues in complex litigation
Isabelle S. Young
Senior Counsel
- Completed five judicial clerkships across three jurisdictions
- Admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, with experience supporting federal judges in complex trial and post-trial matters
Together, our appellate advocacy team offers a comprehensive and strategic approach to every phase of appellate litigation.
Representative Appeals
Working with Us: Strategic Allies for Law Firms
Many law firms trust our team to assist with their clients’ post-verdict needs. If you are navigating an appeal, facing an urgent post-verdict issue, or need a trusted partner to fully handle post-trial advocacy, our experienced team is ready. Consider partnering with us when you need to:
- Evaluate civil or criminal appellate potential after a verdict
- Preserve key issues for appeal during trial or post-trial
- Draft or respond to post-trial motions
- Handle emergency or interlocutory appeals
- Add appellate muscle to complex civil or criminal matters
Let’s Talk Appeal Strategy
Ready to consult or refer a case? Contact us using the form below.