Our Story
Appel Yost LLP is a regional full-service law firm with a tradition of practicing law
and providing legal services dating back to 1883. The firm has offices throughout Lancaster County, including Lancaster City, Quarryville, Strasburg, Denver,
Ephrata, and Christiana.
Appel Yost attorneys provide legal advice and representation for individuals, companies, organizations, and municipal and educational entities within Lancaster, and throughout the region. The firm’s areas of legal practice and service include Business and Commercial Law; Civil and Commercial Litigation; Elder Law; Estate Planning and Estate Administration; Family Law, Divorce, Custody and Adoptions; Municipal Law; Nonprofit Law; Real Estate, Zoning and Land Use; and Wills, Trusts, and Estates
The complexity of modern law and business requires that attorneys specialize. Referral within the firm and collaboration among the attorneys assure that clients receive the highest quality and most efficient service. Moreover, routine tasks are delegated to paralegals, in order to assure cost efficiency. Appel Yost employs the latest technology in its practice of the law. The firm maintains computer research facilities and subscribes to numerous governmental and private databases and information services which helps the firm provide especially prompt service, and permits the attorneys to assist clients whose circumstances require an immediate response or rapid turn-around.
Locations:
In addition to our main office in Lancaster, Appel Yost has branch offices in Strasburg, Quarryville, Christiana, Denver and Ephrata for client meetings.
Our History
1883
Appel & Appel was founded in 1883 by brothers John Wilberforce Appel and William Nevin Appel, shortly after they were admitted to the Lancaster County Bar in 1882.
The brothers opened their law practice at 33 North Duke Street, directly across from the Lancaster County Courthouse.
As two of eleven siblings, John W. and William N. received their legal education under the guidance of prominent mentors, including George F. Baer, who was the lawyer and president of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway, and Major Adam Cyrus (A.C.) Reinoehl, a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature.
Their father, Rev. Thomas Gilmore Apple, served as a role model for service, holding positions as president of both Mercersburg College and Franklin & Marshall College. He was also a professor at the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church in the United States.
Early 1900’s
T. Roberts Appel joins his father, John Wilberforce Appel in the firm.
William Nevin Appel becomes a judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster.
During the 1930’s T. Roberts Appel was joined by his sons, Roberts R. Appel and Anthony R. Appel.
T. Roberts Appel was appointed and elected as a judge of the local Court of Common Pleas.
1950’s
John Milton Ranck, of Strasburg and law graduate of University of Pennsylania along with Herbert Levy, Harvard Law School and Dartmouth College graduate join and form Appel, Ranck, Levy & Appel, LLP.
1960’s
Herbert Levy leaves the firm to begin private practice.
Charles Foltz Herr, graduate of Franklin & Marshall College joins the practice (Appel, Ranck, Herr & Appel, LLP) specializing in the field of Estate Planning Law, Probate Law, Trust Law, Real Estate Law.
1982
Lancaster law firm, Hassel, Yost & Sorrentino merges with Appel & Appel and becomes Appel, Yost & Sorrentino.
Appel, Yost & Sorrentino offered excellent legal representation in all areas of practice for business and individual clients. Their investment in modern technologies including computerized time accounting and word processing and computerized legal research systems, allowed them to provide this counsel at a reasonable cost. For the convenience of their clients throughout Lancaster County, the practice opened and maintained offices in New Holland, Strasburg, Quarryville, and Christiana.
2025
Today, Appel Yost LLP proudly upholds its tradition of providing experienced legal counsel to businesses, organizations, and individuals within our close-knit community across Lancaster County and the surrounding areas of Central Pennsylvania.
Our dedicated team consists of 19 attorneys, 9 paralegals, legal assistants, and support staff who are committed to serving you. Our main office is located at 33 North Duke Street, with additional offices in the Annex building off Grant Street and in various locations throughout Lancaster County, including Christiana, Denver, Ephrata, Strasburg, and Quarryville.
As we continue to grow and evolve, our brand reflects our commitment to honoring our foundation while providing trusted counsel for generations to come.
When you choose Appel Yost LLP, you can rely on our attorneys to prioritize your best interests and offer effective, professional representation.