Mr. Wolf concentrates his practice in the areas of complex business litigation including insurance coverage and bad faith litigation and advice involving primary and excess liability policies with an emphasis on complex coverage and class action lawsuits.
He has lectured on class actions and how to manage the class action lawsuit. Mr. Wolf routinely publishes articles and speaks to industry professionals regarding insurance regulations and proper claim handling procedures. His broad insurance background includes litigating all aspects of insurance cases involving property and casualty insurance.
He has also successfully handled intellectual property litigation for his clients involving alleged patent, trademark and copyright infringement claims. Mr. Wolf has tried numerous lawsuits to successful conclusion and deposed hundreds of experts on liability, causation and damages. He has represented clients in meditations and arbitrations in various venues and jurisdictions.
Articles and Presentations:
Annual Conference of the Council on
Litigation Management (CLM), "Class Actions: Plaintiff's Attorney's
Dream, Insurance Carrier's Nightmare," April, 2010
National Business Institute, "Settling Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claims," February, 2010
National Business Institute, "Ethical Considerations in Coverage Disputes," June, 2009
Author, "Civil Conspiracy Claims Extend Business Litigator's Reach to Defendants Not a Party to the Contract," The Firm Inquiry, Winter, 2008
Central Claims Executives Association Conference, "Class Actions, Plaintiff's Attorney's Dream Insurance Carrier's Nightmare," October, 2008
Author, "Tide Turning? Decisions Opposing Class Certification," The Firm Inquiry, Summer 2008
National Business Institute, "Insurance Law from A to Z," May, 2008
Author, "Missouri Court Limits Class Action Certification," The Firm Inquiry, Fall 2007
Author, "Fraudulent Misrepresentation of Policy Limits," The Firm Inquiry, Fall 2006
Recent Trial Results:
Rias v. Safeco Ins. Co. of America, 594 F.Supp.2d 1090 (E.D.Mo. 2009). Obtained summary judgment for insurer. Court found Safeco's policy did not provide unlimited building and code upgrade coverage following fire loss to home in historic district as argued by plaintiff.
Vogt, et al. v. Travelers Indemnity Company of America, CV305-8822-CC, Jefferson County, Missouri (May, 2008). Obtained summary judgment for insurer. Insurer had no duty to defend or indemnify insured for construction defect claims under commercial general liabilty policy.
The Charter Oak Fire Insurance Co. v. Edward Holthaus, et al., Slip Copy, 2008 WL 509557 (E.D.Mo, Feb 22, 2008). Obtained summary judgment for insurer confirming no duty to defend or indemnify insured for lawsuit relating to auto accident where plaintiff alleged catastrophic injuries.
Meuanghane v. Stoneland, Inc., et al., 2106CC-03135, St. Louis County, Missouri (February 7, 2008). Obtained jury verdict for defendant. Jury found defendant was not liable for plaintiff's closed head injury when defendant's forklift overturned on her vehicle striking her in the head.
Foremost Insurance Company v. Gene Evans, 05WA-CC00338, Washington County, Missouri (December, 2007). Obtained jury verdict for insurer. Jury found no coverage for fire damages to insured's property as a fraud, misrepresentation and intentional loss conditions and exclusions in policy.
Plunk, et al. v. Shelter Mutual Insurance Company, 05-BO-CC-00030, Bollinger County, Missouri (August, 2007). Obtained summary judgment for insurer. Insurer had no duty to provide coverage for business personal property following residential fire.
Travelers Indemnity Co. v. Vas-Nes, Slip Copy, 2005 WL 3107697 (W.D.Mo., Nov 18, 2005). Obtained summary judgment for insurer. Insurer had no duty to provide coverage for employee dishonesty claim.
Assurance Co. of America v. Adbar, L.C., 129 Fed.Appx. 334 (8th Cir. 2005). Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld entry summary judgment for insurer. Builder's risk policy language was not affected by Missouri's Valued Policy Statute, saving insurer over $500,000 on insured's claim.
Bar Memberships:
Missouri
Illinois
Arkansas
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri
Professional Affiliations:
Illinois State Bar Association
Defense Research Institute
Property Law Research Bureau
Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers
Council on Litigation Management
