William Costopoulos, region’s top criminal defense lawyer, joins Saxton & Stump
06/10/2021
William Costopoulos, region’s top criminal defense lawyer, joins Saxton & Stump
Criminal defense attorney William C. Costopoulos has joined Saxton & Stump in Harrisburg to bolster its White Collar Defense practice and support the firm’s Appellate and Post-Trial Advocacy and Attorney and Judicial Ethics and Discipline teams. Costopoulos is working alongside two former judges — Hon. Lawrence F. Stengel, (Ret.), former Chief Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and Hon. Robert A. Graci (Ret.), former Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge and former Assistant Executive Deputy Attorney General — as well as former Pennsylvania Deputy Attorney General Carson B. Morris. The firm counsels institutional and individual clients in all aspects of criminal and administrative investigations.
“Bill is considered one of the top criminal defense lawyers on the East Coast and we are thrilled that he is joining us,” said Saxton & Stump CEO James W. Saxton. “We recognize a growing need in our region so adding the expertise Bill has developed over a brilliant career is an excellent fit for our already established team.”
After serving briefly as a Dauphin County Assistant District Attorney, Costopoulos began his career in private practice, handling many complex and infamous cases. His best-known cases include the defense of Dr. Jay Smith, who was eventually freed from prison by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. That case became the subject of three books and a CBS mini-series. He defended former Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Rolf Larsen in a historic impeachment trial on the state senate floor. In 2002, Costopoulos obtained the acquittal of former City of York Mayor Charles Robinson, charged with murder during the 1969 riots in York, PA. He represented former Senate Whip Jane C. Orie, and former Speaker of the House, H. William DeWeese on public corruption charges. He also recently represented state Supreme Court Justice J. Michael Eakin before the Judicial Conduct Board.
“Joining Saxton & Stump’s team of skilled defense attorneys is an excellent opportunity for me,” said Costopoulos. “As I am winding down my current firm, I’m excited to add to their impressive team. The combination of a former federal judge, a former state judge, former prosecutors and renowned defense attorneys is the perfect recipe for arguably the strongest team to fight clients’ legal battles.”
Costopoulos is an active lecturer on legal matters, speaking before bar associations, continuing legal education seminars and civic groups. He was formerly an adjunct professor at Dickinson School of Law. He is also an accomplished author of three non-fiction books and three novels. Costopoulos earned a B.A. in political science from Dickinson College, his J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law, where he was valedictorian and editor in chief of the law journal, and his LL.M. from Harvard University School of Law. Prior to attending college, Costopoulos served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968.
William Costopoulos, region’s top criminal defense lawyer, joins Saxton & Stump
“Bill is considered one of the top criminal defense lawyers on the East Coast and we are thrilled that he is joining us,” said Saxton & Stump CEO James W. Saxton. “We recognize a growing need in our region so adding the expertise Bill has developed over a brilliant career is an excellent fit for our already established team.”
After serving briefly as a Dauphin County Assistant District Attorney, Costopoulos began his career in private practice, handling many complex and infamous cases. His best-known cases include the defense of Dr. Jay Smith, who was eventually freed from prison by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. That case became the subject of three books and a CBS mini-series. He defended former Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Rolf Larsen in a historic impeachment trial on the state senate floor. In 2002, Costopoulos obtained the acquittal of former City of York Mayor Charles Robinson, charged with murder during the 1969 riots in York, PA. He represented former Senate Whip Jane C. Orie, and former Speaker of the House, H. William DeWeese on public corruption charges. He also recently represented state Supreme Court Justice J. Michael Eakin before the Judicial Conduct Board.
“Joining Saxton & Stump’s team of skilled defense attorneys is an excellent opportunity for me,” said Costopoulos. “As I am winding down my current firm, I’m excited to add to their impressive team. The combination of a former federal judge, a former state judge, former prosecutors and renowned defense attorneys is the perfect recipe for arguably the strongest team to fight clients’ legal battles.”
Costopoulos is an active lecturer on legal matters, speaking before bar associations, continuing legal education seminars and civic groups. He was formerly an adjunct professor at Dickinson School of Law. He is also an accomplished author of three non-fiction books and three novels. Costopoulos earned a B.A. in political science from Dickinson College, his J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law, where he was valedictorian and editor in chief of the law journal, and his LL.M. from Harvard University School of Law. Prior to attending college, Costopoulos served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968.
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