Rebar Kelly – Leading Litigation Law Firm

Law firms have been an integral part of our society. Almost all industries have the need at one time or another for law firms. Rebar Kelly was formed upon the principle that long-term relationships flow naturally from recognizing that clients are the true partners. Their lawyers have tried hundreds of cases to successful verdict and have served as lead counsel in some of the insurance industry’s most high profile cases.

By taking time to understand your business and by engaging in innovative solutions, they can often assist you in resolving matters before they lead to extensive costs or substantial exposure. We had a word with Cathleen Kelly Rebar, the managing partner and shareholder at Rebar Kelly, to get more insights into the company.

Every company has its own story to tell. What is Rebar Kelly’s story?

Rebar Kelly was formed over 8 years ago with a focus on client based service. One of our mottos is the famous quote by Walt Disney, “Do what you do so well that they will want to see it again and bring their friends.”

Over the years the firm has evolved with the times, and there are new issues that arise every year. It is important to be flexible while at the same time striving for perfection. Each person here is essential – they fit into the role that they fill perfectly. It has been important to us to find those people, and to utilize every person’s individual talents.

It’s easy to knock off an innovative product, but an innovative business system is much harder to replicate. What’s your say on this?

I do not think it is something that can be “knocked off” necessarily. Each company, each business is a separate entity and must find what works for them. If it could be replicated, success would be a lot easier to attain. Every company has a bit of trial and error – if something or someone doesn’t work out, you move on. That has been a key lesson. Do not waste time with people or methods that do not work out. The faster you move on, the quicker you evolve.

What is your firm’s secret sauce? What principles have contributed to your company’s success?

The people are the secret sauce. Throughout the years, the firm’s composition has changed. There is a saying that if the people in your room do not see your value, you are in the wrong room. It is the same thing with attorneys and staff in the workplace. Not everyone is a good fit, and the firm is not always the right fit for the individual. In those scenarios, we should move on. Over time, we have developed a team that listens to each other, respects the diverse suggested approaches, and includes others’ visions to reach a unified common objective of success. We all subscribe to the notion that we can be better each day than yesterday and get there. We need to keep at it, keep thinking, keep working, and keep trying to find solutions until we do. In other words, no matter how great you are, you need to seek to be better tomorrow because that is what our client deserves, and that is what we deserve of each other. Finding the right partner is also essential, and I have found that in Chris Kelly. He truly understands what the word partnership means.

Insurance fraud is a severe issue; how dedicated is Rebar Kelly towards fraud detection and investigation?

Rebar Kelly attorneys aggressively resist fraudulent claims. We understand the red flags of insurance fraud, including late notice, exaggeration of damages and loss, impeding access to claim information, failure to cooperate, financial stress, and the like. Our attorneys also understand the need to investigate potential insurance application fraud vigorously where policy rescission may be appropriate.

Rebar Kelly has extensive knowledge and experience in successfully investigating and litigating all types of insurance fraud, including arson fires, staged burglaries, questionable vandalism, mysterious disappearance, stolen/damaged artwork, unrelated and exaggerated damages, and application fraud. Rebar Kelly is fully equipped to assist its clients in all phases of these claim investigations, including assisting in obtaining all material and pertinent supporting claim documents and information from the insured, conducting an examination under oath from the insured, providing its clients with comprehensive coverage determinations based on the investigations, and if necessary, litigating disputed fraudulent claims.

Rebar Kelly attorneys understand the unique nature of fraudulent claims. Although our attorneys assist in aggressive fraud investigations, we are ever mindful of bad faith exposure and act accordingly in our representation of insurers across the United States.

Meet the Managing Partner

Cathleen Kelly Rebar is the Managing Partner and Shareholder at Rebar Kelly. She sets high standards for herself and her team. As a former college athlete, Cathleen learned the value of sacrifice and hard work as a means to success. One of her mottos is that if you want something, you have to earn it. Her team says she leads by this example. She has graduated from Villanova University School of Law in 1998, where she immediately embraced her role as an Assistant District Attorney in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. She went on to serve as a Deputy Attorney General before transitioning into private practice in 2001. 

Founding her insurance defense and insurance coverage based law firm in 2012 was the defining moment of her career. Over the past eight years, the firm has seen much success and evolution. Cathleen has adjusted and adapted to the needed changes within her firm, and today, it is one of the most team-based work-forces of its kind. Cathleen has also been an elected judge in Montgomery County, PA, for over ten years.

“Rebar Kelly was formed upon the principle that long-term relationships flow naturally from recognizing that our clients are our true partners.”