Ms. Woolf is the Managing Partner of the firm and one of its founding members. Ms. Woolf’s practice is devoted to the representation of clients in catastrophic loss, class action and multidistrict litigation, complex commercial, insurance coverage, construction, and government liability litigation.
Catastrophic Loss Litigation
Represented major transportation software engineering company in consolidated lawsuits arising out of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority collision on June 22, 2009 involving nine wrongful death and over 50 personal injury lawsuits.
Represented the thoroughbred racetrack operator in lawsuit to recover catastrophic business interruption loss resulting from electrical transformer fire.
Represented underground utilities contractor in lawsuit involving $26M property damage claim resulting from ruptured waterline.
Represented underground utilities contractor in $18M property damage claim involving the destruction of or damage to 16 residential properties resulting from explosion of underground natural gas line.
Represented underground utilities contractor in wrongful death lawsuit involving the death of two minors who were struck in a parked car by utility contractor’s dump truck.
Class Action & Commercial and Business Tort Litigation
Represents medical device manufacturer in class actions pending in various federal and state courts arising from sale and distribution of Class II medical device.
Represented major pharmaceutical company in federal court action seeking certification of nationwide class under consumer fraud statutes, obtaining order denying class certification.
Represented major pharmaceutical company in litigation arising from the divestiture of a wholly-owned medical device subsidiary.
Represented an international manufacturer in litigation arising from the divestiture of a worldwide battery business.
Represented national food producer in multidistrict litigation seeking certification of nationwide class of consumers involving allegedly false advertising claims.
Has represented national and local corporations at the trial and appellate levels in state and federal courts in matters involving the sale of corporate subsidiaries and businesses, alleged predatory lending practices and consumer fraud, federal and state antitrust violations, claims arising from non-competition agreements and the misappropriation of technology and other contractual disputes.
Represented a surety in protracted litigation with the Resolution Trust Corporation arising from the failure of a savings and loan institution.
Insurance Law
Has represented insurers in various complex insurance coverage disputes, including:
The Humane Society of the United States, et al. v. National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa. and Fund for Animals, Inc. v. National Union Fire Insurance Company, et al. Represented directors and officers insurer in related federal and state court actions for declaratory judgment and breach of contract brought by not-for-profit organizations to recover defense expense and settlement payment incurred in defense of RICO litigation against them. Acted as lead counsel in state and federal court actions. Obtained judgment in favor of directors and officers insurer after the close of evidence in state court trial. Obtained summary judgment in favor of insurer in federal court action.
Industrial Enterprises, Inc. v. Penn America Insurance Company. Represented insurer in declaratory judgment action to determine insurer’s liability for expenses incurred by insured in CERCLA enforcement action. Acted as lead counsel throughout case and at trial. Liability of insurer determined as a matter of law prior to trial, which proceeded on damages. Obtained verdict limiting damages claim subject set-off. Liability ruling reversed on appeal.
