Knox Law wins top labor and employment honor in The Legal Intelligencer’s 2026 Best Of survey

Knox McLaughlin Gornall & Sennett, P.C. was named Pennsylvania’s top Labor and Employment Firm in The Legal Intelligencer’s 2026 Best Of readers’ survey. Retired Judge Andrew F. Szefi also finished second in the Individual Mediator category, underscoring the firm’s profile in labor law and alternative dispute resolution.

Why it matters: - The recognition puts Knox Law in front of Pennsylvania’s legal community as a leading firm in labor and employment work. - The award also highlights the firm’s ADR capabilities at a time when mediation and arbitration remain important tools for resolving workplace disputes.

What happened: - Knox McLaughlin Gornall & Sennett, P.C. was voted first-place winner in The Legal Intelligencer’s 2026 “Best Of” readers’ survey for Labor and Employment Firm. - Hon. Andrew F. Szefi (ret.) was named second-place winner in the Individual Mediator category. - The survey was voted on by Pennsylvania attorneys, in-house counsel, judges and legal administrators. - Winners were chosen by votes from that legal community.

The details: - Neal Devlin, president of Knox Law, said the recognition reflects the work of the firm’s labor and employment attorneys and the trust clients place in the team. - Szefi focuses on mediation, arbitration and early neutral evaluation in federal and state courts. - Szefi is a certified mediator for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. - Before joining Knox Law, Szefi served as a judge in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County. - Szefi previously presided over the Class Action docket in the Commerce and Complex Litigation Center, Housing Court and the general trial docket. - Before taking the bench, Szefi spent 10 years as Allegheny County Solicitor, serving as chief legal officer and director of the Legal Department. - Knox Law’s labor and employment practice handles workplace policy, compliance, labor relations and employment litigation for employers across multiple industries. - Knox Law’s ADR Services group provides mediation, arbitration and early neutral evaluation to help clients resolve disputes outside court. - Knox Law said more information is available at the firm’s website. - The firm says it has provided legal services for more than 65 years. - Knox Law lists practice areas including ADR Services, Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights, Business & Tax, Business Succession, Construction Law, Elder Law, Employee Benefits, Environmental Law, Estate Planning & Administration, Governmental Practice, Health Law, Intellectual Property & Technology, Labor & Employment, Litigation, Mergers & Acquisitions, Public Finance & Bonds, Real Estate and Workers’ Compensation.

Between the lines: - The results suggest Knox Law’s reputation is strongest in two overlapping areas: employment disputes and out-of-court resolution. - Szefi’s background as both a judge and county legal chief gives the mediation practice a credibility boost with lawyers looking for a neutral with courtroom experience.

What's next: - Knox Law can use the recognition to support business development in labor and employment and ADR. - Szefi’s ranking may help the firm market mediation services to attorneys and clients seeking dispute resolution outside litigation.

The bottom line: - Knox Law earned a prominent vote of confidence from Pennsylvania’s legal community, with separate recognition for both its employment practice and one of its mediators.