Kathleen M. Reilly

Bar / Professional Activity

• Presenter and Panelist at NJ State Bar Association Presentation entitled A Day on Evidence, 2024
• Hudson County Bar Association Trustee, 2024
• New Jersey Association for Justice Co Chair of Automobile Committee for Presentations at the NJAJ Meadowlands Seminar, 2024
• Co-Chair Civil Practice Committee of the Hudson County Bar Association, 2023
• President of the New Jersey Association for Justice, 2021
• Trustee of the Hudson County Bar Association, 2023
• Trustee of the Hudson County Bar Association, 2022
• President of the New Jersey Association for Justice, 2022
• President-Elect of the New Jersey Association for Justice, 2020
• NJAJ Diversity & Inclusion Committee, 2019
• Speaker for New Jersey ICLE on Premises Liability from the Plaintiff's persepctive at the New Jersey State Bar on May 31, 2019, 2019
• Second Vice President of New Jersey Association for Justice, 2018
• American Board of Trial Advocates - (ABOTA), 2016
• 2009 - 2010 Appointed to District Ethics Committee Commencing September 2009
• Trustee, Hudson County Bar Association, 2014
• U.S. District Court District of New Jersey, 1983
• NJAJ Headquarters Committe, 2016
• Vice President, West Hudson Bar Association, 2000 - 2001
• Member, American Association for Justice, 1988 - Present
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 1983
• Member, Civil Practice Committee, Hudson County Bar Association, 2000 - Present
• Member, Arbitration Committee, Hudson County Bar Association, 2006 - Present
• NJAJ Co Chair Women Trial Lawyers Caucus, 2016
• Member, Executive Committee and Board of Governors, 2011 - present and Member, American Association for Justice, New Jersey, 1988 - Present
• Moderator and Panelist at NJAJ Meadowlands Seminar Masters of Advocacy in November, 2018., 2018
• Pennsylvania, 1983
• Treasurer, New Jersey Association for Justice, 2014
• NJAJ Budget, Audit & Finance Committee Member, 2016
• Member, Injury Board National Network of Trial Attorneys, 2009 - 2010
• NJAJ Education Committee, 2016
• President, West Hudson Bar Association, 2001 - 2002
• Co-Chair of the NJAJ Meadowlands Conference held in Secaucus, NJ in November, 2018 providing educational seminars for attorneys, 2018
• New Jersey, 1983

Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)

• $2,750,000 settlement on the eve of trial, after 6 yrs of litigating personal injury claims on behalf of 73 yr old truck driver who was injured when a forklift driver dropped an 800 lb pallet of bluestone on him causing serious injuries, 2025
• $1,250,000 settlement of wrongful death claims on behalf of 82 yr old killed while crossing the street in front of his home at night , 2025
• $945,000 Settlement of wrongful death claim for 80 year old woman in Hunterdon County whose vehicle was struck head on by a truck when the driver fell asleep losing control and the vehicle and crashing into the decedent's car., 2024
• $6,000,000 settlement in May 2023 of wrongful death case of 43 yr. old woman struck and killed by trash truck operated by Interstate Waste Management in Belleville New Jersey, 2023
• $235,000 settlement for motorcyclist killed when struck by car which failed to stop at a stop sign., 2023
• $500,000 settlement on behalf of bicyclist who suffered fractures and TBI when struck by motorist in Chester, New Jersey, 2023
• Confidential significant settlement for client in ride share vehicle, 2022
• $500,000 settlement on behalf of motorcyclist hit by car on Route 287 in Morristown, NJ; plaintiff suffered leg fracture and knee injuries as well as degloving of his back, 2020
• $650,000 verdict for plaintiff who suffered herniated disc in low back requiring spinal stabilization surgery and a labral tear in the shoulder as the result of rear end hit motor vehicle accident in Bayonne, New Jersey, February, 2010
• Co-Chair of the NJ Meadowlands Conference, 2019
• $750,000 Settlment at Mediation of serious spinal injuries requiring fusion surgery from motor vehicle accident, 2018
• $287,500 settlement for woman who slipped and fell on ice in commercial parking lot suffering fractured hip, 2017
• $435,000 settlement for plaintiff injured in motor vehicle accident where plaintiff suffered herniated disc in neck requiring spinal stabilization surgery with psychological claims;Underlying $50,000 policy paid and UIM claim settled for $385,000 on second day of trial., 2011
• $1,500,000 settlement in slip and fall accident for woman from Kearny, NJ who fell at Hess Station in Harrison, NJ.  Settled during second day of Jury Selection.  Client suffered back injury which ultimately required spinal stabilization surgery. Client struck by third party delivery person pushing a handtruck which hit plaintiff's leg causing her to fall directly onto the floor. , 2012
• $150,000 settlement for 88 year old driver of car from North Arlington, NJ,  struck by speeding motorist , 2012
• $425,000 Settlement at trial in June,2009 of slip and fall in supermarket where client suffered a hip injury when she fell on loose grapes, 2009
• Confidential settlement in medical malpractice matter for delay in diagnosis of Melanoma, 2014
• $475,000 settlement in October, 2009 for individual suffering herniated disc and shoulder injuries following accident in which his truck was struck in the rear by a fully loaded cement truck, HUD-L-3553-07, 2009
• $265,000 settlement for child struck by car suffering fractured leg; claims vs utility company for failure to replace streetlight over intersection as well as uninsured motorist claim against private carrier, 2017
• $500,000 settlement in auto negligence & medical malpractice matter in Essex County; case settled on fourth day of trial, 2008
• Confidential settlement involving claims of failure to diagnose fracture in the emergency room which led to the paralysis of patient, 2015
• $200,000 settlement for passenger in vehicle t-boned at intersection in Newark, NJ; plainitff suffered spinal fracture., 2012
• $6 Million verdict in March 2009 in a construction accident case representing plaintiff in Silvano Santos v. Baker Residential and New Way Construction - HUD- L-102-07, 2009
• $537,000 Verdict in Hudson County for client who slipped and fell on wet interior steps in the Kearny Town Hall, Kearny, NJ. Plaintiff suffered a ruptured patella tendon which required surgery to repair., 2012
• $65,000 verdict in October 2009 in an automobile accident case representing plaintiff Francis R. Lyons v. John Sabato III - HUD-L-1028-08, 2009
• $1.8 million settlement at Mediation involving constuction worker injured when trucking bar was negligently used at worksite and plaintiff was struck in face and head by flying trucking bar., 2016
• $350,000 settlement on third day of trial in Hudson County, NJ for plaintiff suffering aggravation of RSD following intersection car accident, 2010
• $700,000 settlement in dram shop litigation arising out of sale of alcohol in mini-market to minors which ultimately led to a one car accident and death of the passenger.  The matter was complicated by the fact that the dceased passenger was the underage purchaser of the alcohol., 2018
• $485,000 settlement at trial for plaintiff injured at construction site when he fell into an unguarded hole during the construction of a parking garage and suffered a fracture of the radial shaft of his arm which required surgery along with an aggravation of a pre-existing anxiety disorder., 2011
• Confidential settlement in medical malpractice and automobile accident case after plaintiff, a Newark, NJ resident, was injured in autobmobile accident and underwent epidural injections which were negligently performed.  Plaintiff's spinal cord was struck with epidural needle during the procedure causing him to suffer permanent injury to his right, dominant hand and numbness and tingling throughout the upper arm and chest area., 2012
• Verdict for $1,243,891.38 for Plaintiff in Hudson County when plaintiff bicyclist struck by limousine and required a knee replacement and spinal procedures and was not able to return to work, 2008
• $265,000 settlement for passenger of car struck by PSEG truck when provisional driver made abrupt left turn causing acccident and plaintiff's need for back surgery. , 2014
• $900,000.00 settlement on first day of trial, July 2009 for postal maintenance worker who was injured in rear end hit auto accident which left him with herniated discs which required spinal stabilization surgery, 2009
• $850,000 settlment in case against a big box store for injuries sustained when box fell off shelf injuring plaintiff , 2015

Representative Clients

• $625,000 settlement on behalf of bicyclist struck by car at an intersection where liability was significantly contested, 2020

Special Licenses / Certifications

• Re-certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Civil Trial Attorney, 2016
• Re certified as a Civil Trial Lawyer by the Supreme Court of New Jersey, 2021
• Joined ABOTA, 2017
• Certified by New Jersey Supreme Court as a Certified Civil Trial Attorney, 2010

Pro bono / Community Service

• Volunteer ESL teaching for immigrants living in the Morristown New Jersey area at St Margaret's Church, Morristown, NJ, 2024
• ESL teacher for Catholic Charities in Morristown,NJ, 2025
• Actively involved in The Sean Reilly TBI Fund - dedicated to improving the daily quality of life for New Jersey victims of Traumatic Brain Injury and their families., 2009- Present
• Church of Christ the King, New Vernon, NJ - Lay Coordinator of Women's Cornerstone Retreat, Eucharistic Minister, 2014 Member of RCIA Team
• Josephine's Place, Elizabeth, NJ Golf Committee Member helping raise funds for a women's resource facility in Elizabeth, NJ.
• Past Board Member, Delbarton School Mothers Guild, 2003 - Present

Educational Background

• Rosemont College, Rosemont, Pennsylvania, B.A. in Political Science, 1979
• Seton Hall University School of Law, 1979-1982

Scholarly Lectures / Writings

• Presenter in August 2025 for NJ State Bar Association on preparing and presenting an opening statement, Panelist and Presenter, Interactive Trial Techniques Part 1: Opening Statements, New Jersey State Bar Association, 2025
• I presented at the FILEVINE LEXSUMMIT conference about my career, establishing a law practice and the paths I took during my career., Speaker, Crucial Steps Proven to Advance Careers and Establish Firms, Filevine LEXSUMMIT Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah, Lawyers, 2023
• Participated as panelist for New Jersey Association for Justice at the Young Lawyers Seminar at the Conventionis Atlantic City, May 2023, Panelist, Lessons I Learned from Cases I lost, New Jersey Association for Justice Atlantic City, May 2023, 2023
• I helped form, sought speakers and spoke in virtual seminar with respect to the presentation of virtual civil jury trials, Program Chair and Speaker, Virtual Civil Trial, NJAJ, 2021
• I provided an update on premises liability before the Premises Seminar at the Boardwalk 2020 Seminar for the NJAJ., Speaker, Five Current Cases on Premises Liability, New Jersey Association for Justice, 2021
• Speaker and panelist for NJICLE on Plaintiff's Perspective of Premises Liability matters, September 17, 2021., Speaker and Panelist NJICLE, Premises Liablility, New Jersey State Bar - ICLE, 2021
• I am co chair of the seminar responsible to select programming and assist in the overall operation of the seminar., Co Chair, Chair New Jersey Association for Justice Meadowlands Seminar, New Jersey Association for Justice, Litigation, 2020
• I presented from the plaintiff's perspective on handling the workplace injury case for the NJ State Bar.  It was a webinar., moderator and speaker, Roadmap to Handling the Workplace Injury case, New Jersey State Bar - ICLE, 2020
• I was a speaker at the litigation at Sunrise Program at the 2020 NJAJ Boardwalk Seminar.  My presentation was on the utilization of economic experts to maximize damages., Speaker, DAMAGES: Using Economic Experts to Maximize Damages, New Jersey Association for Justice, Litigation, 2020
• speaker on top ten cases in New Jersey in the field of torts for 2020 at the annual Boardwalk Seminar, Speaker, Top Ten in Torts- New Jersey, New Jersey Association for Justice, Litigation, 2020
• co chair and moderator of day long seminar on motor vehicle litigation in New Jersey., Co-chair and moderator, New Jersey Association for Justice - Automobile Program, Boardwalk, 2020, NJAJ, Litigaton, 2020
• I presented, along with Kim Haduck from Veritext Court Reporting, on how to conduct depositions via zoom., Speaker, Remote Depositions, New Jersey Association for Justice, Litigation, 2020
• Co Chair of New Jersey Association for Justice seminar Medicine for Lawyers at the Boardwalk Seminar in May 2019, Chair of Seminar, Chair Medicine for Lawyers, 2019
• Speaker on this topic at morning programs, Speaker and Panelist NJAJ Litigation at Sunrise, : Using Economic Experts to Maximize Damages, 2020
• responsible to organize moderate and speak at annual convention, Co-chair NJAJ Automobile Seminar for the Boardwalk Convention 2020, 2020
• I am co-chair of the Annual Boardwalk Seminar which is a virtual convention on August 5,6 and 7, 2020. I have been involved in scheduling speakers and approving programs as well as the overall operation of what has now become a virtual convention., Co-chair of event and Chair of multiple seminars, Co-Chair NJAJ Boardwalk Seminar, 2020
• Helped organize speakers for the Medicine for Lawyers Program and will moderate our first virtual Boardwalk Convention for the NJAJ in August, 2020, Moderator and Chair of NJAJ Medicine for Lawyers, Chair Medicine for Lawyers, 2020
• I am a co chair of the entire Meadowlands Seminar run by the New Jersey Association for Justice in November 2019, Chair Meadowlands Seminar, 2019
• Moderator and  Program Chair for Medicine for Lawyers, NJAJ Boardwalk Seminar May 2018, Moderator & Program Chair, Medicine For Lawyers, New Jersey Association For Justice, 2018
• I was a co chair of the Automobile program presented at the New Jersey Association for Justice Boardwalk Seminar in Atlantic City in May, 2019, Chair New Jersey Association for Justice Boardwalk Convention Automobile Seminar, 2019
• I was asked to be a speaker and panelist for a day long seminar on Premises Liability presented by the NJ ICLE at the New Jersey State Bar Association Headquarters in New Brunswick, NJ, Speaker and Panelist, Premises Liability The Plaintiff's Perspective, New Jersey State Bar - ICLE, 2019
• Top Ten in Torts - speaker at NJAJ Boardwalk Seminar, May 2018, Speaker, NJAJ, New Jersey Association For Justice, 2018
• Speaker - Ethics, What to do when Attorney leaves Firm, New Jersey Association For Justic, 2015
• Panelist and speaker at New Jersey Defense Association  Women and the Law Seminar, Making the Most of your natural talents, strenghts and weaknesses., Speaker, Making Most of Natural Talents, Strengths & Weaknesses, New Jersey Defense Association, 2010
• Ethics Concerns with Confidentiality Agreements and Guaranteeing Liens. Speaker and Panelist at Ethics presentation at the Annual NJ Association for Justice meeting in Atlantic City, NJ, Speaker, Ethics, New Jersey Association For Justice
• Speaker and panelist on Ethics with presentation entitled " Most Frequently Asked Ethics Questions Facing Trial Lawyers.", Speaker, Ethics, New Jersey Association For Justice, 2012
• Panelist in Seminar at New Jersey State Bar Convention Annual Meeting on Trial Practice - The Lawyers Perspective.  Addressed Video Depositions:  Uses and Abuses, Speaker, Video Depositions: Uses and Abuses, New Jersey State Bar Association Meeting, 2012
• Panelist and Speaker at conference for trial lawyers sponsored by New Jersey Association for Justice.  Topic of discussion was Making Preponderance Work., Speaker, Making Preponderance Work, New Jersey Association For Justice, 2012
• Panelist and Speaker at Seminar sponsored by New Jersey Defense Association entiled Women and the Law. , Speaker, Jurors Perspectives on Female Lawyers from Plaintiff's Perspective, New Jersey Defense Association, 2011
• Speaker, The Ethics of Referral Fees - Who Can Pay What to Whom?, New Jersey Association For Justice, Atlantic City, 2013
• Speaker, Ethics - Retainer Agreements, NJAJ Boardwalk, 2014
• Organized and Moderator of Seminar directed to smaller law firms and sole practitioners with variety of speakers on technology and paperless office options., Moderator, Cutting Edge Technology for Sole Practitioners and Small Firms, New Jersey Association for Justice, 2016
• Program Chair and Moderator for Seminar providing a local and national perspective on Automobile Trials at the NJAJ Boardwalk Seminar, April 7&8, 2016, Program Chair Automobile Program, Proving Causation in Auto Trials, New Jersey Association For Justice, 2016
• Program Chair and Moderator of program teaching medicine for lawyers in the area of pain medicine, epidural injections, Radiology and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation., Program Chair & Moderator, Medicine for Lawyers, NJAJ, 2016
• Program CoChair New Jersey Association for Justice Automobile Seminar November, 2016, Co-CHair, Hot Motor Vehicle Topics & Auto Ins Update, New Jersey Association For Justice, 2016
• Program co-Chair for NJAJ Boardwalk Seminar, Program Co-Chair, Medicine for Lawyers, New Jersey Association For Justice, 2017
• Program Co-Chair at NJAJ Boardwalk Seminar, Program Co-Chair, Automobile Seminar, New Jersey Association For Justice
• Moderator of Seminar presented by the Hudson County Bar Association in April, 2018, Panelist & Moderator, Employment Law Seminar, Hudson County Bar Association, 2018
• Moderator and Program Chair Law Firm Marketing Seminar in February 2018, Moderator & Program Chair, New Jersey Association for Justice, 2018
• Program CoChair New Jersey Association for Justice Automobile Seminar May, 2018 BOardwalk Seminar, Moderator & Program Chair, Automobile Seminar, New Jersey Association For Justice, 2018

Honors

• Recipient of the Gerald B O'Connor Award for Excellence in Medical Malpractice , Gerald B O'Connor Award for Excellence in Medical Malpractice, New Jersey Association for Justice, 2023
• Recipient of the 2024 Trial Attorneys of New Jersey Trial Bar Award for demonstrating trial excellence, Trial Attorneys of New Jersey Trial Bar Award, Trial Attorneys of New Jersey, 2024
• Named to NJBIZ Top 50 Lawyers, 2021, NJBIZ TOP 50 Lawyers, NJBIZ, 2021
• Member of Million Dollar Advocates Forum, 2008 - Present
• 2010 Civil Litigator of the Year by the Hudson County Bar Association
• Kathleen M. Reilly was named the Civil Trial Practitioner of the Year for 2014 by the Hudson County Bar Association.    , Hudson County Civil Trial Lawyer of the Year, Hudson County Bar Association, 2014
• Named to American Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018., 2018

“Kate is dedicated to achieving justice for victims of serious accidents and does so with empathy and compassion.”

“In the last 9 months has tried 2 cases to verdict . 1st verdict was 1.2million and 2nd verdict was for 6 million. both cases were against very good attorneys. she is an outstanding litigator and the 6 million verdict is one of the highest if not the highest verdict obtained by a female attorney in a personal injury construction case in the state of n.j.”

“has had a 6million dollar verdict and a1.2million verdict in the last 2 years. has won5 or 6 cases by jury verdict in the last 2 years and is clearly one of the best trial lawyers in the state and clearly is the best or one of the best female trial lawyers in new jersey”