Rolf E. Kroll

Rolf E. Kroll

Partner
Office:Harrisburg, PA
Phone:(717) 760-7502
Cell:(717) 554-1409
Email:rkroll@margolisedelstein.com
vCard:Download

Rolf E. Kroll has decades of experience protecting the assets and reputations of his commercial and individual clients. He has successfully defended a range of commercial clients, including contractors, subcontractors and renovation companies in multi-party litigation in the state and federal courts. He defends companies in product liability actions and individual clients in negligence cases.

Rolf has experience defending municipalities, public officials and local governments in civil rights litigation. He is the author of “By Amendment,” a treatise on the history of civil rights litigation in the United States. Rolf regularly counsels municipal entities that face claims under 42 U.S.C. §1983.

For decades, personal and commercial insurers have trusted Rolf to handle their coverage disputes. These cases include first-party benefits litigation, as well as uninsured and underinsured motorist claims. He has also successfully tried cases alleging bad faith and unfair trade practices. He is a frequent lecturer on insurance issues.

Education:

  • Dickinson School of Law (J.D.)
  • Denison University (B.A., cum laude)

Honors:

  • AV Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rated

Bar Admissions:

  • Pennsylvania

Court Admissions:

  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania

Professional Affiliations:

  • American Bar Association
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • Philadelphia Bar Association

Speaking Engagements and Presentations:

  • "Trucking Litigation and DOT Regulations in PA," Lorman Education Services, Harrisburg, PA
  • “Take the Case to Trial,” Harrisburg, PA
  • “Bad Faith in Pennsylvania and Virginia, ” PAMIC, Harrisburg, PA
  • “UM-UIM Litigation, ” Pennsylvania Defense Institute, Harrisburg, PA
  • “Indemnity Issues in Pennsylvania," Harrisburg, PA
  • “Bad Faith in Pennsylvania, ” Pittsburgh, PA
  • “Homeowner Liability," State College, PA
  • “Insurable Interests,” PAMIC, Harrisburg, PA
  • “SIU Investigations, ” Harrisburg, PA

News and Verdicts:

Representative Matters:

  • Sheddy v. Piatt Township - In this Civil Rights action, the Plaintiff alleged 1st, 5th and 14th Amendment violations as a function of decisions rendered by the local zoning hearing board. Rolf convinced the court that the claims were barred by the Rooker-Feldman Doctrine, res judicata and by the rational relationship between the zoning hearing board's decision and a legitimate state interest. The claims were dismissed at the earliest possible stage in the proceedings.
  • Perez v. Gamez- In this Section 1983 Civil Rights case alleging unreasonable search and seizure of a Hispanic male plaintiff who, through mistaken identity, was wrongfully forced to remain in prison for over three months, Rolf convinced the court that his client had a right to rely upon a facially valid warrant and successfully dismissed the case with prejudice.
  • Jones v. Hampton Construction - In this Stormwater Management/Construction case, the Plaintiffs claimed their historic 100-year-old farmhouse was destroyed by flood water pouring off a newly excavated residential development. Plaintiffs' demand was $1 million and punitive damage claims remained until the close of Plaintiffs’ case. Plaintiffs rejected multiple six-figure settlement offers. After an 8 day trial, the jury returned a verdict that, when adjusted for causal negligence and third-party contributions, amounted to under $5,000.00 for Rolf’s client.
  • Smith v. Newberry Township - In this Civil Rights action the Plaintiff claimed he was assaulted by a mob and then unlawfully arrested, and prosecuted without probable cause. Official court documents were referenced in the Complaint allowing Rolf to assert a successful demurrer.
  • Began v. Graves - In this Traumatic Brain Injury Case, the Plaintiff alleged that Rolf's client ran over a 14 year old boy riding his bicycle. Rolf moved in limine to exclude Plaintiff's liability expert witness. On day three of trial, he was granted an in-camera cross-examination of the expert. As a result of the cross-examination, Rolf's client was dismissed from the case.