Prior to joining Rebar Kelly in 2017, Stephen practiced at three well respected litigation firms where he concentrated his practice in insurance defense. Prior to practicing in litigation, Stephen was a Staff Attorney for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Stephen has experience in all aspects of litigation including trial, arbitration, mediation, depositions, motion practice and settlement of claims.

• Cabrini College, B.A. in Political Science and History (2003)
• Widener University School of Law, J.D. (2009)

Automobile
Liability

Complex
Litigation

COVID-19
Claims

Employment
Law

Medical
Malpractice

Professional
Liability

Real Estate & Broker Defense

Excess
Coverage

Worker's
Comp.

Successfully defended a medical provider in a medical malpractice matter where Plaintiff alleged the failure/delay to diagnose breast cancer in Essex County, NJ. Prior to trial, Stephen successfully obtained partial summary judgment dismissing all direct claims against the insured leaving only claims for vicarious liability. Following a three and a half week trial, the matter resolved prior to closing arguments with Stephen’s client not contributing to the settlement and obtaining a dismissal.

Successfully obtained summary judgment in Sussex County, New Jersey in favor of a university in a case where the client had a $250,000 reserve to settle the matter. Plaintiff, an employee for a third party vendor, alleged that she slipped and fell on snow and ice on the university’s campus. Stephen successfully argued that the university had immunity and in the alternative, did not owe Plaintiff a duty because it was not responsible for snow and ice removal on the premises despite the fact that Plaintiff’s incident occurred on the university’s campus.

Successfully obtained dismissal in Burlington County, New Jersey on behalf of a major retailer in a case where an off the clock employee alleged that she slipped and fell on snow and ice in the store’s parking lot. Stephen successfully argued that the matter should be dismissed pursuant to workers’ compensation immunity despite the fact that the employee was not working at the time of the incident.

Successfully obtained summary judgment in Philadelphia County on behalf of a property manager and building owner of a residential and commercial building in a case where Plaintiff alleged to have slipped and fell on a liquid substance while walking up the steps to the premises. Stephen successfully argued that his clients did not have notice of the alleged dangerous condition despite the fact that his clients maintained and controlled the premises.

Successfully obtained summary judgment in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on behalf of a construction company in a subrogation matter. An employee of the Co-Defendant, security company, was patrolling the construction site when he crashed into a neighboring row home. The vehicle’s gas tank exploded and numerous homes sustained significant damage from the subsequent fire. Stephen successfully argued that the construction company did not negligently entrust the vehicle to the driver despite that fact the driver was unlicensed and the keys to the vehicle were kept on the construction site.

Successfully obtained dismissal in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on behalf of a security company in a case where Plaintiff alleged that he sustained serious and permanent injuries when he was detained by security after he was wrongfully alleged to have stolen another individual’s property entering a courthouse. Stephen successfully argued that the statute of limitations expired despite the fact that Plaintiff did not have knowledge the security guards who caused him injury were not employees of the courthouse until after the statute expired.

Stephen has obtained numerous defense verdicts and favorable results on behalf of self-insured entities, commercially insured entities and personal insureds at trial, arbitration, mediation and binding ADR.

Certified Legal Intern, Delaware County District Attorney's Office.

• Certified Arbitrator - Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas
• United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Historical Society Calendar Committee
• CLM
• Defense Research Institute, Trucking Law Committee

Legal billing for Claims Professionals. York, PA, November 2018

Negotiating Strategies for Claims Professionals. York, PA, September 2018

Hospitality and the Emerging IoT, RRM CLM Conference, Dallas, TX, February 2018

• Intro to Understanding Motion Practice in PA, NJ and NY

• Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Insurance Law, 2022
• Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Insurance Law, 2021

Stephen currently resides in West Chester, Pennsylvania with his wife and children. He enjoys spending time with family and friends and is an avid sports fan. Stephen was a member of the men’s soccer team while at Cabrini College and now enjoys coaching youth soccer at Rose Tree Soccer Club in Media, Pennsylvania.