Chris Rumpf, left, and Scott Mitchell, right.

Lancaster-based Saxton & Stump has continued its expansion as the year begins, adding a new practice group and a senior medical consultant.

The firm announced last week that it hired partner Scott Alan Mitchell, who now leads its new trusts and estates practice. Mitchell joins the firm after less than a year as a partner at Mitchell and Young, a Lancaster firm that has two lawyers after Mitchell's departure. He joined Mitchell & Young in March, coming from Rhoads & Sinon, a Harrisburg firm that recently announced it would be closing following a string of departures in 2017.

Saxton & Stump has also added to its roster of nonlawyer consultants, hiring Dr. Christopher Rumpf as a senior medical consultant, the firm announced Jan. 5. Rumpf will help with mitigation efforts for the firm's health care clients. Before joining Saxton & Stump, he was senior vice president and chief medical officer for Valley Health System in Winchester, Virginia. Rumpf has also held high-level positions at Capital Blue Cross and Aetna, the firm said.

In a statement, CEO James Saxton said Rumpf “brings a wealth of experience not only in clinical care but changes in health care delivery.” Saxton said Scott, with his estate planning practice, will help both new and existing clients, including those who seek planning counsel for individuals with special needs and require long-term care.

Saxton & Stump was created in 2015 when 16 lawyers broke off from Stevens & Lee to form their own firm. They said at the time that conflicts had been increasing between their medical malpractice and risk mitigation work and the other health care industry matters handled by Stevens & Lee. From the beginning, Saxton & Stump has also employed nonlawyer consultants to provide clients with industry-specific advice. They include physicians, nurses, psychologists, physician reimbursement specialists, health policy thought leaders, and business consultants.

Saxton & Stump also recently created a construction law practice, adding shareholder Ronald Pollock in September to work with seven of its existing lawyers. Pollock had been a partner at Lancaster firm Barley Snyder and leader of its construction law industry group.