Attorney Profile
Kimberly A. House
Areas of Practice
Contact Info
Overview
Kim is a strong advocate for her insured and self-insured clients who are facing serious and significant claims. Kim also has extensive experience in monitoring trials for excess carriers and participating in those trials when necessary. As a member of both our Casualty and Appellate Departments, Kim has valuable experience in all aspects of litigation from pleadings through the appellate process. She has participated both as trial counsel and as appellate counsel in multiple trials involving plaintiffs who were catastrophically injured.
Kim represents clients in matters involving premises, product and automobile liability. She has experience defending an elevator/escalator manufacturer against claims of product liability including both design defect, manufacturing defect, as well as claims of negligent inspection/maintenance. Additionally, Kim has handled several construction defect cases in single family homes or condominium complexes involving water intrusion cases resulting in property damage and mold.
Kim understands that strong practice management is a key component to favorable resolutions and positive outcomes for her clients. She is experienced in representing clients in both state and federal courts throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and she is also licensed to practice law in North Carolina and South Carolina. Kim is a strong mentor of young associates at the firm, and she believes that a collaborative approach to cases is an effective way to ensure that new ideas and defenses are being explored to the fullest extent.
Prior to joining the firm, Kim was an associate in the catastrophic loss department of a Philadelphia defense firm. While there, she gained valuable experience handling high-value cases for excess insurers. This experience included independently working up files and preparing cases for trial, often on short notice, in support of her litigation team. Kim also monitored litigation and trials for a variety of insurers. Kim also oversaw and handled cases for her own clients consisting of contractors and building product manufacturers.
Results
Successfully defended an appeal from a jury verdict previously secured by Aaron Moore and Alesia Sulock (Philadelphia) in favor of the firm’s client in a legal malpractice case. The plaintiffs initially asserted multiple tort claims and a claim under the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, which were dismissed by the trial court upon partial grant of the defense’s motion for judgment on the pleadings. The case proceeded to trial on a remaining breach of contract claim, resulting in a defense verdict. On appeal, the plaintiffs challenged the trial court’s rulings on both the motion for judgment on the pleadings and a motion in limine related to evidentiary exclusions. The Pennsylvania Superior Court unanimously affirmed the trial court’s rulings, holding that the tort claims were time-barred and that the plaintiffs had waived their evidentiary argument by failing to properly develop it in their appellate brief.
Successfully defended a national homebuilding company in a Philadelphia arbitration involving a motor vehicle negligence claim. The plaintiff falsely alleged he was a passenger in a vehicle operated by an independent contractor, triggering a contractual indemnity dispute. The arbitration panel found no liability and concluded the plaintiff’s claims were fraudulent. The panel also ordered the co-defendant to reimburse all reasonable attorneys’ fees expended in the defense pursuant to the indemnity agreement.
Obtained a favorable settlement during jury selection for a higher education institution against wrongful death and personal injury claims resulting from a fall.
Obtained a favorable settlement on the eve of trial for a product manufacturer against personal injury claims arising from a house fire.
Drafted a successful motion for summary judgment for a civil engineer regarding a storm water management design claim.
Served as co-counsel in successful defense of a national window manufacturer in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Thought Leadership
An Overview of Pennsylvania Law for Auto Law & Premises Claims, Marshall Dennehey Virtual Client Presentation, February, 2021
Super Lawyers list is issued by Thompson Reuters. A description of the selection methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.