Saxton & Stump Targets Lehigh Valley With Elite IP Team Acquisition

ALLENTOWN, PA – February 09, 2026 – In a significant strategic maneuver, law firm Saxton & Stump has officially planted its flag in the Lehigh Valley, acquiring a team of globally recognized intellectual property specialists and opening its eleventh office in Allentown. The move integrates the entire professional team from the highly regarded IP boutique Design IP, signaling a major push to serve the region's burgeoning innovation-driven economy.

Effective February 9, the acquisition deepens Saxton & Stump’s capabilities in a critical and evolving area of law. The firm, which already has a substantial presence across Pennsylvania, is betting on the Lehigh Valley as a key growth market, a region noted for its robust manufacturing, healthcare, and technology sectors. This expansion is designed to provide local innovators with access to a powerful combination of specialized IP counsel and the broad resources of a full-service law firm.

A Strategic Play in a Booming Region

Saxton & Stump's entry into the Lehigh Valley is a calculated decision rooted in the area's economic vitality. The region has cultivated a reputation as a hub for both established industrial players and a growing number of technology startups, all of which rely heavily on the protection of their intellectual assets. By establishing a physical presence, the firm aims to become an integral part of this ecosystem.

The new office, initially located at 1575 Pond Road, is just the first step. Firm Chairman James W. Saxton confirmed that the company is already in the process of securing a larger, permanent space. This future hub is intended to support continued growth and establish a full-service legal center, underscoring a long-term commitment to the regional business community. This move positions Saxton & Stump to directly compete with other regional and boutique firms for a share of the valuable IP legal market.

“We were intentional about how we wanted to grow our IP practice,” said Andrew Oltmans, Chair of Saxton & Stump’s Intellectual Property Group. “Bringing in the sophisticated design‑patent and intellectual property talent of Damon and his team complements our existing bench, significantly expands the number of registered patent attorneys in our group, and provides the scale needed to serve innovative companies of every size.”

Acquiring a Global Leader in Design Patent Law

At the heart of this expansion is the integration of the team from Design IP, a boutique firm that carved out an international reputation for its expertise, particularly in the niche area of design patents. The move brings shareholder Damon Neagle, senior counsel Michael Berkowitz, and associate Tyler Donato, along with experienced paralegal Jannifer Walters, into the Saxton & Stump fold. Collectively, they add nearly 60 years of focused IP experience.

Neagle, the former managing partner of Design IP, is a prominent figure in the world of intellectual property. With over two decades of experience, he has prosecuted hundreds of U.S. and foreign design patents for clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to startups. His work has spanned complex technologies in sectors like medical devices, advanced manufacturing, and consumer electronics. Beyond his practice, Neagle has actively shaped design patent law and policy, contributing amicus briefs in landmark cases and serving as a former chair of the American Intellectual Property Law Association Industrial Designs Committee.

Berkowitz brings more than 25 years of experience guiding clients through the entire IP lifecycle, with a focus on global portfolio management in mechanical and electromechanical technologies. Donato supports clients in the preparation and prosecution of both utility and design patents, as well as trademarks, adding further depth to the team's capabilities.

The Growing Currency of Design Patents

This acquisition places a significant emphasis on design patent expertise, a field of intellectual property that has seen a surge in strategic importance. While utility patents protect how an article works, design patents protect its unique ornamental appearance—its shape, configuration, and surface aesthetics. In an increasingly crowded global marketplace, a product's design is often a primary differentiator and a key driver of brand value.

Recent trends validate this focus. Intellectual property offices worldwide have reported a steady rise in design patent filings, reflecting a growing recognition among businesses that visual identity is a valuable asset worth protecting. For companies in sectors like consumer electronics, medical devices, and automotive manufacturing—all present in the Lehigh Valley—a strong design patent portfolio can create formidable barriers to entry for competitors and secure a decisive market advantage. By absorbing a team renowned for its proficiency in this area, Saxton & Stump is not just expanding its service list; it is acquiring a highly sought-after strategic capability.

An Integrated Platform for Innovation

The merger offers clear synergistic benefits. Clients of the former Design IP now gain seamless access to Saxton & Stump’s comprehensive suite of legal services, which includes complex litigation, corporate transactions, regulatory counseling, labor and employment, and data privacy. This integrated model is particularly valuable for innovative companies whose legal needs often extend far beyond intellectual property.

“Saxton & Stump’s well-established intellectual property practice and collaborative culture create a powerful platform for our clients,” Neagle stated. “Joining a full-service firm strengthens our ability to serve the needs of our clients, and the firm’s expansion to the Lehigh Valley brings additional legal capabilities and resources to area businesses. This is a region rich with growing, innovative companies, and we look forward to serving their legal needs.”

This move is emblematic of Saxton & Stump's broader growth strategy, which has seen the firm expand to 300 professionals, including more than 150 attorneys, through a model that attracts top talent and boutique practices. By pairing a specialized, high-performing team with its extensive platform, the firm is making a compelling case that it can provide sophisticated, results-focused advice to the innovators shaping the future of the Lehigh Valley and beyond.