KAtE BYRNE

---

Kate Byrne is running for school board. She is a seasoned attorney admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania since October 2012. With extensive experience in both the public and private sectors, she has built a distinguished career in litigation, insurance defense, civil rights law, and criminal prosecution.

Kate currently acts as Staff Counsel for Fortune 500 insurance company.  She handles a diverse caseload, including general liability, auto liability, and public sector matters.  She has experience representing Pennsylvania municipalities in both premises liability and civil rights litigation.

Earlier in Kate's career, she served for more than five years as an Assistant District Attorney at the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office. There, she specialized in prosecuting economic crimes and crimes against older adults, participating actively in both county and federal elder justice initiatives. Kate's role involved extensive trial work, policy collaboration, and advisory responsibilities with law enforcement agencies.

Kate's foundation in the legal field was laid through legal internships and clerkships with the Delaware and Montgomery County District Attorney’s Offices, the Villanova Federal Tax Clinic, and a local civil litigation firm while earning her degree at Villanova University. Additionally, she served as a Judicial Extern for the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia.

With a dynamic background spanning prosecution, civil litigation, insurance defense, and client advisory roles, Kate continues to bring comprehensive legal expertise and a strong commitment to advocacy in every aspect of her practice.

Kate grew up nearby in Montgomery County.  Through her life, her parents instilled in her the importance of education.  At a young age, they helped Kate to understand that a solid foundation in school would help her achieve her goals later in life. Kate's mother worked in the field of special education and gave insight into the challenges that often are faced by school employees and parents on a day-to-day basis. She also allowed Kate to see the great pride the public-school employees have in helping students achieve success in school.  

If elected, Kate will work to make sure that school students have access to a safe and fulfilling school environment.  No student should ever be made to feel unsafe or unwelcome in their school. In a day and age where federal oversight of schools is being diminished, its important for a local government to continue to take on that role to make sure all students have access to a free and appropriate education that takes into account their own special needs. Kate will also work to continue to expand on the transparency of school board business.  Meetings should remain accessible to all, in as many ways as possible.  The public should not have to question what decisions are being made and why, and should have full access to attend and comment on school board decisions. 

Finally, Kate will work to support  educators in their workplace, making sure that they are appropriately supported and compensated so that they can continue to support and educate the children of the greater community.