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email pageKathleen dedicates her practices to defending workers’ compensation matters. She regularly handles all types of workers’ compensation claims through trial and on appeal.
In addition, Kathleen also has extensive experience in all facets of the litigation process. She has not only defended clients in Division of Workers’ Compensation, but also in various venues, including the municipal, state and federal courts of New Jersey. She has tried cases through verdict in the state courts of New York and New Jersey and before the Division of Worker’s Compensation. She has also argued before the Appellate Division of New Jersey and successfully opposed a Petition for Certification before the New Jersey Supreme Court in the matter Ferraro v. Pepsi Cola, Inc., 205 N.J. 99, 13 A. 2d 362 (2011).
Prior to joining the firm, Kathleen worked as staff counsel for a major insurer. She also previously worked for a defense firm where she represented clients in workers’ compensation, public entity liability, premises liability and professional malpractice matters.
Kathleen is also active in the legal community. She was reappointed by the Supreme Court of New Jersey to the District IIA (North Bergen County) Ethics Committee for the 2014-2018 term after serving from 2010 to 2014. In 2018, Kathleen was appointed as a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association Workers’ Compensation Executive Committee. The Workers’ Compensation Executive Committee studies and develops changes in the administration and procedures pertaining to New Jersey Workers’ Compensation. Kathleen is active in Women Lawyers in Bergen and she is a past President of the organization after having served on the Executive Board for many years.
Associate, Morgan Melhuish Abrutyn, 2006-Present
Associate, Reilly Supple & Wischusen, 2003-2006
Associate, Fitzpatrick Reilly Supple & Gaul, 1993-2003
Associate, O’Rourke Hickey Wickham Mascola & Buell, 1992-1993
Assistant Attorney, Westchester County Attorney’s Office, 1991-1992
New Jersey
New York
US District Court for the District of New Jersey
JD, Washburn University School of Law, 1991
BA, cum laude, Northeastern University, 1988
Phi Alpha Theta Honor Society
Kathleen A. Hart Reappointed to District IIA Ethics Committee MMA commends Kathleen A. Hart on her reappointment by the Supreme Court of New Jersey to the District IIA (Bergen County) Attorney Ethics Committee. » Read More
Member, Bergen County Bar Association
Member, New Jersey State Bar Association
Member and Immediate-Past President, Women Lawyers in Bergen
Motion for Medical and Temporary Benefits tried in Mt. Arlington, Division of Workers' Compensation. After all testimony, including medical experts, the motion was dismissed for failure to sustain the burden of proof.
Tried a matter before Division of Workers’ Compensation where, after trial, the judge determined petitioner was an employee and awarded compensation. The matter was appealed on the basis the judge of compensation erred in concluding the petitioner was an employee. The New Jersey Appellate Division reversed the decision and held the petitioner was not an employee within the New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Act.
Tried matter to conclusion before the Division of Workers’ Compensation. Petitioner sought total disability on this application for review and modification. After a full trial, the judge awarded petitioner only 35% partial total.
Tried matter to conclusion before the Division of Workers’ Compensation. Following testimony, the judge dismissed the petitioner’s claim for failure to fulfill the burden of proof.
Author, "Judge of Compensation Orders Worker's Compensation Carrier to Cover Cost of Medical Marijuana" - Women Lawyers in Bergen Newsletter; Spring 2017
Co-Author, "Life of a New Jersey Worker's Compensation Claim" - Manual; 2016
Speaker, "Life of a New Jersey Worker's Compensation Claim" - Seminar for Firm Clients; 2016
Speaker, "Occupational Claims in New Jersey" - Presentation to Firm Clients; 2015
Speaker, "Liens and New Jersey Worker's Compensation" - Presentation to Firm Clients; 2015
Speaker, "Coming and Going Rule in New Jersey Worker's Compensation" - Presentation to Firm Clients; 2015
Speaker, "Jurisdiction in New Jersey Worker's Compensation" - Presentation to Firm Clients; 2014
Speaker, "Total Disability With and Without the Second Injury Fund" - Presentation to Firm Clients; 2014
Author, "An Evening with Paulette Brown, Esq." - Women Lawyers in Bergen Newsletter; Summer 2013
Author, "Independent Contractor Defense Still Alive Under New Jersey Workers' Compensation Act" - Women Lawyers in Bergen Newsletter; Winter 2012
Author, “Happy 40th Birthday Title IX” – Women Lawyers in Bergen Newsletter, Volume 6; 2012
Author, “We’ve Come a Long Way” – Women Lawyers in Bergen Newsletter, Volume 6; 2012
Author, “Can An Employee Who Works From Home Receive Worker’s Compensation? In NJ, Yes” - Women Lawyers in Bergen Newsletter; 2011
Author, “No More Filling the Gaps” – Women Lawyers in Bergen Newsletter, Volume 5; 2009
Speaker, “Basic Workers’ Compensation” – Seminar for Firm Clients; 2009
Speaker, “ADA, FMLA and New Jersey Workers’ Compensation” – Seminar for firm clients; 2007
Author, “The Supreme Court Speaks – Hojnowski v. Van’s Skate Park – Women Lawyers in Bergen Newsletter, Volume 2; 2006
Author, “Judge Sandra Spizziri, J.W.C.” – Women Lawyers in Bergen Newsletter, Volume 2; 2006
Ferraro v. Pepsi Cola, Inc., 205 N.J. 99, 13 A. 2d 362 (2011).