Suburban Life - Main Line/Philadelphia

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SL_PROFILE_Rebar_Kelly_0820_Layout 1 8 / 20 / 20 10 : 55 AM Page 1 D PROFILE As an accomplished attorney , an elected official , and a bold leader , Cathleen Kelly Rebar sets an uncompromising example for other women to follow . also introduced her to Michael Rebar Jr . , a Pennsylvania state trooper who would later become her husband and biggest supporter . Her early career years laid the groundwork Modeling for an ingrained need to serve the public . She went into private practice in 2001 . She was a shareholder and partner in two respected litigation firms before founding her own firm , now known as Rebar Kelly , in 2012 . The journey through her business evo - lution has given her a “ recipe for success ” — Greatness including the need to partner with others who share and appreciate her vision and who are committed to the hard work necessary to fulfill their goals . “ Winning is about achieving the desired result , which is not the same as beating the other side , ” she says . “ As a lawyer , we can for Women never guarantee an outcome for clients . But we can always guarantee the effort and unre - by BILL DONAHUE photography by RAY FRASCINO , FRASCINOFILMS | lenting commitment to an achievable outcome . ” ‘ A Lot to Give ’ Today , Rebar is the managing partner of ttorney Cathleen Kelly Rebar admits Rebar Kelly has experienced considerable Rebar Kelly , a successful law firm with offices whereas many people feel content in growth under the partners ’ leadership . Rebar in Pennsylvania , New Jersey , New York , and their personal and professional circum - A attributes the firm’s success to its team of Connecticut . She’s also a well - regarded Mag - stances , she always aspired for more — to be attorneys and support staff , as well as a work - isterial District Judge in Montgomery County . not just good but truly great and , more impor - place culture that requires everyone to always She makes no apologies for who she is : a tantly , to make a difference . give their best efforts . She believes her partner , smart , bold , and confident leader . She hopes Despite her success , she still believes she Chris Kelly , deserves significant credit . other women follow her example . has not achieved her full potential . She believes “ Chris is one of the most solid human She traces the embers of her competitive this work - from - behind mentality has set her beings one can know , ” she says . “ He values fire to her time playing collegiate athletics . As apart from her peers . Others seem to agree ; the individual and what they bring to the captain of her Long Island University softball the many honors and accolades bestowed table irrespective of whether they are a woman team ( then Division II , now Division I ) , she upon her in her career include Pennsylvania or a man . His support has powered the firm’s saw firsthand the results of her dedication , Super Lawyer , leader of the 2018 Professional growth and advancement in ways in which leadership , and intelligence . She and her Liability Department of the Year , and , most the firm has struggled in the past . One of the teammates inspired , supported , and pushed recently , Top 100 Lawyer . things I’ve learned about business is that you each other to be better in ways that transcended “ If you want to succeed , you have to be have to choose your partners wisely . Like a the playing field . great and surround yourself with others who marriage , you need a partner who can inspire After graduating from Villanova University want to be great , ” she says . “ I’m inspired by you to be as great as you can be . School of Law , Rebar served with two highly others who accomplish great things . Every “ Every person in this firm , from top to regarded local and state agencies as a prose - day I wake up and say , ‘ What can I do better bottom , contributes in a meaningful way , ” cutor . She found this early stage of her legal today ? ’ It would be easier to be less than I she continues . “ I could never do the jobs of career most fulfilling , because it enabled her am to please others , but that would not be the administrative staff or office manager ; to help the community at large . The work fair to those who follow me . ” SUBURBANLIFEMAGAZINE.COM AUGUST 2020 48 |

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SL_PROFILE_Rebar_Kelly_0820_Layout 1 8 / 20 / 20 10 : 56 AM Page 2 day to make the right decisions “ even when without them , and our talented and dedicated CATHLEEN KELLY REBAR’S they are tough , ” though she credits the work attorneys , we could not survive . These people ‘ Rules for Success ’ and support of others when referencing the all want to succeed , and they want to see the merits of her own Court — namely , Richard firm succeed . They’re just as important as I “ Success comes with sacrifices , Falcone , her senior clerk . “ He’s what makes am , if not more valuable . ” and there are no shortcuts . Hard this Court as great as it is , ” she says . Kelly suggests the rest of the firm sees it a work always trumps talent when When asked about Rebar , Falcone replies , bit differently , with Rebar as the force behind talent doesn’t work hard . ” “ There is no better person or Judge . She is the firm’s success . “ She leads by example , simply the best there is . ” and it is that example that drives us all “ Cancers need to go . Once you As a Judge , Rebar is mindful and appre - forward , ” he says . realize you have someone in your ciative of the fact that many people who Although Rebar finds the work chal - organization who has a negative come before her have had different life expe - lenging and invigorating , it’s her work in effect , it’s time to move on . Just riences than her own . public service that provides deeper meaning . like real cancer , a cancer in the “ As great as our Court is , my staff and I She has been serving the residents of western workplace is going to metastasize . work every day to try to improve , ” she says . Montgomery County as a Magisterial District “ We want everyone who comes into our Judge since 2009 . Her greatest accomplish - Even if the person is good at Court to feel that they have been treated with ments in life have come from her service in what they do , they need to be the same level of respect , fairness , and justice this capacity , which she vows to continue replaced if they are a distraction . that every member of our community should as long as she is able . Keep looking until you find the expect . On that there is no compromise . ” “ I have a lot to give , and I’m going to give right person . ” Going forward , Rebar hopes to continue it in some way , ” she says . “ Countywide , we blazing a path for others to follow — especially have established ourselves as a very good “ Don’t be a shrinking violent , other women . She’s reminded of a recent place to live and work , and that’s due in part even if it makes you uncomfort - conversation with her friend Leslie Gudel , to the partnerships we as Judges have developed able . I’m going to do what makes the first female sports broadcaster in Philadel - with state and local police , community leaders , me uncomfortable if I think it’s phia , about the issues faced by women in and the public , as well as the strong leadership the right thing to do . That’s where leadership positions . of President Judge Thomas DelRicci . Together , the growth happens . ” “ Sometimes women who lead are called our leaders are focused on inclusion , lifting aggressive or bossy , ” Rebar says . “ When people up , giving second chances where war - “ You have to understand your Leslie and I were talking about this , she said , ranted , and keeping people accountable . We own weaknesses in order to ‘ Those interactions are opportunities to change have changed lives , and I will be forever grateful overcome them . ” that mentality and show people as opposed for having had this opportunity . ” “ Rules are not made to be broken . I’m reminded of the Space Shuttle Challenger . NASA managers had known since 1977 that the contractor’s design of the solid rocket boosters contained a potentially catastrophic flaw , but they had failed to address this problem properly . NASA managers also disregarded warnings from engineers about the dangers of launching posed by the low temperatures of that morning and failed to report these technical concerns to their superiors . The The Rebar Kelly law firm has seen steady growth under the leadership of partners Cathleen Kelly Rebar and Chris Kelly . shuttle blew up as a result . The whole point is that we establish to just telling them that you are meant to be The work also enables her to set an rules for a reason , and when you here . ’ Real change happens when we change example for her son , Michael III , a top aca - allow deviation , that’s where you people’s minds by the way we act and show demic sophomore and two - sport athlete at get into trouble . Don’t create a them the way we see the world , so they St . Joseph’s Preparatory School . “ The Prep rule unless you plan to enforce it . ” understand . ” is dedicated to creating men committed to Rebar doesn’t yet have a clear picture of serving others , ” she adds . “ It’s why we chose “ Energy vampires can sink you . the next mountain to climb , only that “ there’s it . It furthers our commitment to making The people who create drama never going to be a time where I am standing the world a better place . Michael has that and chaos do it because they lack still and not helping someone or not growing passion , too . ” your focus . Don’t allow them to ? in some way . ” It’s just not in her DNA . As a Judge , Rebar does her best every steal your energy and take you away from what you set out to do . The people who have focus , For more information on the Rebar Kelly law firm , which has local purpose , and energy don’t have D offices in Blue Bell and Princeton , visit rebarkelly.com or call time for drama . ” ( 484 ) 344 - 5340 . SUBURBANLIFEMAGAZINE.COM AUGUST 2020 | 49

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