Saxton & Stump launches regulatory and government affairs practice

Lancaster-based law firm Saxton & Stump hired two new employees to lead the firm’s new regulatory and government affairs practice.

Attorney and lobbyist Kathleen Duffy Bruder, deputy chief of staff under former Gov. Tom Corbett, joined the law firm to lead the practice with Amanda McClellan, the practice’s new government relations adviser.

Bruder and McClellan are joining the firm from Harrisburg-based law firm McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC. The two will work with former judges Lawrence Stengel and Robert Graci to help clients navigate challenges involving all levels of government, according to a press release.

“Kathy and Amanda bring a tremendous wealth of knowledge and relationships to provide guidance to our clients as many face the long-lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said James Saxton, CEO of Saxton & Stump. “Kathy has truly established herself as an asset with the capability to connect them with government decision-makers and her practice has become even more critical as business leaders seek creative ways to survive and thrive.”

While at McNees Wallace & Nurick, Bruder represented clients in industries including energy and environment, oil and natural gas and food and beverage involving public finance, state and local tax, employment and corporate governance.

McClellan is expected to support the regulatory and government affairs team by helping in the development of legislative lobbying plans for clients and coordinating legislative outreach.

A government relations practice is always a benefit to clients, but the need for businesses to have access to rule-makers in state government is more important than ever thanks to the current crisis, said Saxton.

“We’ve been helping clients understand the practical implications of the new regulations and how it applies to their business operations,” he said. “Adding Kathy to our team provides a direct line of communication to key government officials. Adding this service offering has been part of our firm’s strategic plan.”