Building Trust. Providing Solutions
in Our Community.

Richard C. ("Rick") Howard, Jr. is one of the most dedicated, personable, and highly-respected attorneys in Bucks and Montgomery Counties and beyond. Demonstrating strong advocacy on behalf of well-counseled clients, people trust Rick's sound judgment, undaunted work ethic, and over twenty-five years' experience handling wide varieties of legal matters, particularly related to litigation.

With a proven track record of best strategies and problem-solving techniques, Rick seeks to resolve issues expeditiously and cost-effectively. Rick has extensive court experience appearing before judges, arbitrators, and juries, having brought several matters to successful verdict. Rick prides himself on getting to the heart of each client's individual legal issue, providing strong advice as part of the problem-solving process. Clients truly appreciate his individual care, active listening, and assistance in contending effectively with tough legal issues.

Rick is AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell in both ethics and legal knowledge. Clients such as insurance companies, business owners, contractors, vendors, and indiviudals come to Rick from throughout southeastern Pennsylvania. Rick’s practice areas include Civil and Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury, Insurance Defense, Commercial Debt Collection, and Divorce/Domestic Matters.

As Chief Financial Officer of Weber, Kracht and Chellew, Rick is charged with overseeing management of the firm's finances and the ongoing integrity of its financial stability. Widely viewed as enthusiastic and level-headed, Rick serves as a court-appointed arbitrator in Bucks County and is often appointed arbitrator in insurance and civil litigation matters.

Rick enjoys the interactive nature of public speaking, and believes strongly in good communication as part of problem-solving. This passion is evident in several facets, including his role as an adjunct professor at Bucks County Community College, where he teaches law courses. Rick has served as a presenter at legal conferences and seminars, including as Chair of the Bucks County Bar Association Continued Legal Education Committee. He also offers his expertise as a radio guest and resource on current legal issues.

Rick is actively involved in several organizations, including the Upper Bucks and Indian Valley Chambers of Commerce, Believers in Business, Pennridge Business Networking Group, and Quakertown Business Network Group.

He has served as board member for his neighborhood community association, and secretary for The 69th PA Irish Volunteers, a group that teaches Civil War and other first person living history to schools and the public.  His involvement extends to singing in The 69th PA Irish Volunteers Civil War Band, which raises funds to locate and place gravestones for fallen soldiers. This is incredibly meaningful work to Rick, whose family has a strong tradition of military and community service to our country.

When not working, Rick enjoys music, exercise, reading, visiting historic sites with his wife, walking his dog, hiking, relaxing with his family - including eight nieces and nephews - and camaraderie with friends.  He is an avid baseball and football fan and enjoys classic movies.

Admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and before the Federal Courts, Rick is an active member of the Pennsylvania and Bucks County Bar Associations. He received his law degree from the University of Dayton in 1990, with academic honors. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Scranton in 1987.

Rick is AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell

Practice Areas:
Commercial Debt Collection
Divorce/Domestic Matters
Insurance Defense
Litigation – Civil and Commercial
Personal Injury

Admissions:
Pennsylvania Supreme Court
US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
3rd US Circuit Court of Appeals
New Jersey Supreme Court

Professional Affiliations:
Pennsylvania Bar Association
Bucks County Bar Association
Believers in Business
69th PA Irish Volunteers
Quakertown Business Network
Pennridge Business Network
Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce
Indian Valley Chamber of Commerce
Irish American Business Network

Public Offices:
Sellersville Borough Zoning Hearing Board, 2016-Present

Education:
J.D., University of Dayton, 1990
B.A., Communications/History, University of Scranton, 1987

Clerkship:
Law Clerk, Honorable John J. Rufe, Court of Common Pleas, Bucks County (1990-1991)

Kathryn Liebhaber is driven by her desire to make a positive impact on the lives of her clients. Kathryn’s straightforward approach and thorough preparation instill her clients with confidence that she will be a dedicated and zealous advocate on their behalf.

Kathryn has keen negotiation skills that bring many cases to conclusion without the need for litigation. However, when negotiations fail, she has a sincere love for the courtroom.

Kathryn’s expertise in estate planning and administration helps individuals and families prepare for the future through the use of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and other means and will caringly navigate her clients through the complex probate process. Her practice also includes representing clients in divorce, custody, child support, alimony, Protection from Abuse, grandparent rights, and the unique needs of LGBTQ clients.

Kathryn honed her litigation skills as a certified legal intern through the University of Pittsburgh School of Law Family Law Clinic where she represented indigent clients in family law matters.

After law school, Kathryn was a law clerk for the Honorable David W. Addy in the Court of Common Pleas of Carbon County, Pennsylvania. Following her clerkship, she went on to practice family law exclusively for over 10 years in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas. She also was frequently appointed as an arbitrator in Carbon County for a variety of civil matters. Due to her extensive experience in family law, she was selected to be the Divorce Review Officer for the Honorable Daniel K. McCarthy, Interim Judge for the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County.

Kathryn recently relocated to Bucks County where she was born and raised. Since her return, she has broadened her practice to more varied civil litigation in both the State and Federal Courts. Her love of learning and desire to further her legal acumen drew her to joining Weber Kracht & Chellew in 2020.

Kathryn graduated from the University of Maryland and went on to earn her Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 2005. She is admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

When she is not working, Kathryn enjoys music (especially live), curling up with a good book, fishing, and has a special passion for ballet, which she studied for over 14 years.

Practice Areas:
Civil Litigation
Estate Planning & Administration
Family Law

Admissions:
Pennsylvania

Professional Affiliations:
Bucks County Bar Association

Education:
J.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Law, 2005
B.A.; Sociology; University of Maryland, College Park; 2001

Tyler Hereth is a seasoned associate attorney known for his unwavering commitment to securing the best outcomes for his clients. He brings a wealth of experience and dedication to his practice, specializing in criminal defense and civil litigation.
Tyler is known for his tenacity and steadfast approach to each case. A dedicated problem solver, he ensures that his clients' needs are met and their goals achieved.
He arrived at Weber Kracht and Chellew following eight years as an attorney with the Defender Association of Philadelphia, where he honed his skills as a fierce and passionate advocate.
Tyler is a native of Glastonbury, Connecticut and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Maryland, College Park. After graduating from University of Maryland, he enlisted in the United States Army in 2007 and earned a commission as an Armor Officer. Tyler deployed for 12 months to Kirkuk Province, Iraq with the 1st Cavalry Division, and served as an Armored Reconnaissance Platoon Leader in the Rashaad Valley. He then earned his Juris Doctor from Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law.
In addition to his legal career, Tyler is a devoted volunteer. He and his wife have been fostering dogs for multiple dog rescues since 2017, demonstrating their love for animals. Tyler has also volunteered as an election observer. As he puts it, “What can I say? I love dogs and democracy.”
Tyler and his wife share their home with their three dogs, where they all cheer on the Philadelphia Eagles every Sunday. He is also a talented musician, playing a variety of instruments, including the guitar, fiddle, mandolin, bouzouki, banjo, and is working on learning the bagpipes.

Practice Areas:
Civil Litigation
Criminal Defense

Admissions:
Pennsylvania
New Jersey

Professional Affiliations:
Bucks County Bar Association

Education:
J.D., Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law, 2015
B.A.; Philosophy; University of Maryland, College Park; 2006

As of October 24, 2022, Michael Kracht, Esquire has retired from the firm and will remain "Of Counsel" to the firm.

Michael Kracht became a lawyer quite simply to help people and make a meaningful difference in their lives. It is that desire to help and go way beyond the typical “call of duty” that motivates him to be an outstanding advocate and counselor to his clients. Michael's desire to give back started decades ago. After graduating from law school, Michael served as an Assistant Attorney General in the State of Kansas. After that, he entered the Peace Corps, teaching children in Ecuador for several years before returning to the States and joining the staff of Chester County's Legal Aid Office. Despite his busy practice, to this day, Michael is active in doing pro bono work for the community including handling protection from abuse matters. As Managing Shareholder of the firm, Michael leads by example, instilling in his staff and lawyers his profound belief that it is everyone's responsibility to help those in the community to the best of everyone's abilities.

Michael continues to serve as Solicitor to Dublin Borough and plans to continue pursuing his dedication to public service by continuing with his membership on the Doylestown Township Planning Commission and on his church’s Governing Council during his retirement.  His past municipal posts include Solicitor to Perkasie Borough, the Silverdale Zoning Hearing Board, and Special Counsel to both Sellersville and Souderton Boroughs. Projects have included the development of commercial and residential properties, the adaptive re-use of dilapidated properties, the dedication of a substantial amount of open space, and litigation of real estate disputes and personal injury claims. He takes pride in his work to help properties maintain their historical value and protect the environment.

Additionally, he has represented several local charities and service organizations throughout Bucks and Montgomery Counties, including Pennridge FISH, the American Foundation for Children with Aids, the Perkasie Fire Department, and Sellersville Fire Department. Of particular importance to Michael is his work as a founding board member and attorney for over 20 years to the Keystone Opportunity Center, a recognized regional leader in community-supported social services.

Michael’s practice areas have included Land Use, Zoning and Development; Municipal Law; Real Estate; and Civil and Commercial Litigation.

Outside of the practice of law, Michael enjoys playing the guitar at local coffee houses, hiking (His love of hiking has led him to climb the heights of Mount Washington in New Hampshire.), biking and cross-country skiing, gardening, playing tennis, and sailing.

A graduate of Northwest Missouri State University, Michael received his law degree from Washburn University in 1979, during which time he was recognized by the United States Chamber of Commerce as an "Outstanding Young American." He is admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar as well as the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.

Practice Areas:
Litigation – Civil and Commercial
Municipal Law
Real Estate
Zoning, Planning, and Land Use

Admissions:
United States Supreme Court
United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania

Professional Affiliations:
Director, The American Foundation for Children with Aids
Member, Bucks County Bar Association

Public Offices:
Sellersville Borough Zoning Hearing Board, 2016-Present
Dublin Borough, Solicitor, 2000 - Present
Silverdale Borough Zoning Hearing Board, 1995 - Present
Souderton Borough Zoning Hearing Board, 1997 - 2007
Perkasie Borough, Solicitor, 1991 - 2003
Assistant Attorney General, State of Kansas, 1979 - 1981

Education:
J.D., Washburn University, 1979
B.S., Secondary Education, Northwest Missouri State University

Joe Chellew came to the firm in 1988 following time spent as a sole practitioner in Media, PA and as a staff attorney for Legal Aid of Chester County. Before retiring from active practice, Joe represented a wide variety of business entities and individuals as trial counsel for the firm in matters of civil litigation, creation and dissolution of business entities, commercial and residential real estate transactions, and estate planning and estate administration. Significant client entities included Erie Insurance Company, Flagship City Insurance Company, Eastern Diversified Services, Suburban Equities, the Washington House Hotel & Restaurant and Sellersville Theater, among many others. He also served as an appointed arbitrator for State Farm Insurance Company, Employers Mutual Insurance Company, and Harleysville Insurance Company. He served as the firm's managing partner from 1997 until he retired from the practice in 2013. Since then, he has continued to serve as a mediator and neutral arbitrator until his retirement from the practice of law at the end of 2017.

 

Diane Yaglinski joined Weber, Kracht & Chellew in 2018. A Paralegal since 2011, her responsibilities here at the firm cover all aspects of insurance defense cases. On her career as a Paralegal, Diane indicates “I enjoy the investigation aspect of my work as a Paralegal, specifically seeking answers and finding solutions to our client’s needs.”

Ms. Yaglinski is also the firm’s Office Manager and handles all human resource and personnel matters. Diane is a graduate of Archbishop Wood High School and Peirce College where she majored in Paralegal Studies. Ms. Yaglinski resides in Sellersville and enjoys being active and spending time with her four children.

Sara Stridacchio joined our firm in 2023 after transitioning her career during the pandemic from real estate to the legal field. Originally from Commerce Township, Michigan, Sara is a graduate of Michigan State University. She now lives in Doylestown and in 2021 earned her Paralegal certification from Bucks County Community College. Sara brings her organization and analytical skills to tracking, reviewing, and requesting discovery for the firm’s insurance litigation. Sara gains satisfaction from a job well done when she sees the positive impact and successful outcomes her contributions bring. Outside of work, Sara is an active volunteer at her children's school where she enjoys assisting the teachers and staff in hosting events and fundraisers. In her spare time, you can find Sara at the baseball diamond, on the golf course, or in her home garden.

Christine’s desire to help people led her to pursue a career as a legal secretary. Her first job in the legal field was as a legal trainee at a maritime law firm in Philadelphia. She is an organized, team player who will pursue an issue until finding the answer. Christine’s passion for her work lies in doing a good job and seeing that dedication benefit clients.

In her spare time, Christine enjoys family dinners and time with her grandsons. She also likes to check out the latest home improvement tips on HGTV and loves spending time in her garden.

Juliette Clay joined our firm in 2023 as a Legal Secretary, providing administrative support - from greeting clients to filing court documents. Juliette pivoted to a career in the legal field after a successful 20-plus-year career as a graphic designer. Known for her creativity and tech-savvy skills, she has seamlessly integrated her artsy flair into her new role. Juliette is a graduate of Lansdale Catholic High School and earned an associate degree from the Lansdale School of Business. A Philadelphia native who now calls Perkasie home, Juliette recharges by spending time with her family, taking trips to the beach, and working on her many DIY projects. She is also in her seventh year of volunteering at the SPCA. She's fostered numerous kittens and shares her home with three cats of her own.