Michael Wolfer | Butler Weihmuller Katz Craig LLP

Michael Wolfer is a Partner in Butler’s Subrogation and Recovery Department, working out of the firm’s Philadelphia office. He focuses his everyday practice on high-stakes property subrogation claims across the country, routinely representing both domestic and international insurance carriers. Michael regularly handles complex, large-loss property disputes involving construction defects, product liability, structural failures, fires, commercial explosions, and catastrophic water damage.

A major part of Michael’s practice involves managing large-scale loss scenes from the ground up and coordinating multi-party evidence inspections. He works closely alongside forensic experts and engineers to investigate new losses from the outset of the claim. By diving into the technical details early on, he is able to translate complicated engineering and industry-code data into straightforward legal arguments that maximize recoveries for his clients. Among his notable cases, Michael served as counsel in the complex litigation following a widely publicized roof collapse in Center City, Philadelphia, which ultimately resulted in a substantial financial recovery.

Dedicated to the local legal community and practical civil dispute resolution, Michael also regularly serves as an official arbitrator for the Philadelphia County Arbitration Program. This hands-on experience gives him a well-rounded perspective from both sides of the aisle. It sharpens his day-to-day trial advocacy, helping him accurately evaluate litigation risk, handle key depositions, and effectively present data-heavy cases to judges and juries alike.

Michael earned his law degree from the Rutgers School of Law and his bachelor’s degree in political science from Columbia University. While at Columbia, he successfully competed as a Division I varsity wrestler for the Lions. The discipline, strategic mindset, and work ethic he developed on the wrestling mats shape his approach to practicing law today, driving his commitment to getting the best possible results for Butler’s clients nationwide.

Admissions

New Jersey
Pennsylvania

Recognitions

Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, Certified Civil Arbitrator

Education

Columbia University, New York
Bachelor of Arts
Rutgers University School of Law
Doctor of Jurisprudence

Memberships

Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM)
Philadelphia State Bar Association
Columbia University Club of Philadelphia, Board Secretary, 2018 – 2020

Courts

Philadelphia’s Court of Common Pleas
United States District Court – District of New Jersey

Media

Navigating Murky Waters When Subrogating Unresolved First-party Claims

Join Chicago Partner Geoffrey Waguespack and Philadelphia Partner Michael Wolfer as they present at the NASP 2026 Spring Conference on March 20, 2026. Their presentation will address challenges faced by subrogation professionals assigned to claims during the adjustment and/or coverage review. Participants will navigate the adjustment stage, identify problems that arise during the first-party cover...

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch – 2025 Edition

Join us in congratulating our attorneys who were recognized in the Best Lawyers – Ones to Watch 2025 publication! You can click on their bios above to learn more about each attorney. Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Their process is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their coll...

New York Court Emphasizes the Importance of Notice in Subrogation

An insurer generally acquires its insured’s rights against tortfeasors through subrogation. But what happens if the insured enters into a settlement and releases the responsible third party? Does the release extinguish the insurer’s subrogation claims? Like most answers to legal questions, it depends. Whether an insured’s release of a third party is binding against a subrogating insurer var...

Our Newest Partner – Michael Wolfer

Congratulations to Michael Wolfer for becoming our latest Partner at Butler Weihmuller Katz Craig! As a distinguished litigator focusing on property subrogation claims nationwide, Michael has earned acclaim for his success in high-profile cases, such as the Center City roof collapse in Philadelphia. His expertise extends to construction defects, product liability, structural failure, fire and expl...

Ones to Watch – 2024 Edition

Join us in congratulating our attorneys who were recognized in the 2024 Best Lawyers – Ones to Watch publication! Click on their icons to learn more. Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Their process is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographic...

Ones to Watch – 2023 Edition

Join us in congratulating our attorneys who were recognized in the 2023 Best Lawyers - Ones to Watch publication! Click on their icons to learn more. Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Their process is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical...

Pennsylvania Finds Exception to Anti-Subrogation Rule

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court recently adopted the “no-coverage exception” in Arlet v. Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board. 2022 WL 529350 (Pa. 2022). As most subrogation professionals are aware, the anti-subrogation rule prohibits insurers from subrogating against their own insureds. The Court in Arlet held that the rule does not apply where the insurer makes payments on a non-covered risk....

Attorney Spotlights | Michael Wolfer

Butler is proud to highlight the diversity among our team of attorneys. Many come from different backgrounds and walks of life. These experiences both professionally and in life are what bring a powerful dynamic and impact to the legal services we provide to our clients. This month, we highlight Philadelphia attorney Michael Wolfer. What type of legal work do you do, and how did you decide on a...

Best Lawyers – Ones to Watch 2022

Please join us in congratulating our attorneys for their inclusion in the inaugural edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch. This list recognizes lawyers who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice. They have been recognized in the First Edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for their work in insurance litigation. Congratulations! Click their...

Best Lawyers – Ones to Watch

IS AMAZON A SELLER? AN ISSUE PRIMED FOR STATE COURTS

The tide is turning as another federal court declares that Amazon is responsible for third-party products purchased on its website. On January 7, 2020, the Southern District of Texas in McMillian v. Amazon.com, 433 F.Supp.3d 1034, joined the Third Circuit court of Appeals and the Western District of Wisconsin in finding that Amazon can be a “seller” under the applicable state product liabilit...

Michael Wolfer – Winner Of The Inaugural Impact Award

The production and distribution of scholarly content for the legal and insurance industry has been a critical component of Butler’s growth over the past 40 years. The Firm produces a diverse array of content that is distributed through various channels, such as blogs and articles on the Firm’s website; articles for trade and association publications; scholarly/academic content for legal treati...

District of New Jersey Rejects Waiver of Subrogation in Residential Solar Contract

New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Group v. Vivint Solar, Inc., 2018 WL 1003745 (D.N.J. 2018) Recently, Judge Sheridan of the District of New Jersey rejected a waiver of subrogation in a residential solar contract, finding that the contract was one of adhesion and that the waiver was against public interest. New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Group v. Vivint Solar, Inc., 2018 WL 1003745 (D.N.J. ...

And You are Not Done; The Future of Products Liability Claims Against Amazon Still Uncertain

This past summer, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals issued a seminal opinion in Oberdorf v. Amazon.com, Inc., which held Amazon could be liable as a seller for products sold by third parties on its website. The issue, however, appears to be far from settled as opinions addressing whether Amazon is a “seller” continue to hit dockets across the country. Federal courts applying various States' ...

How Amazon Disrupted Product Liability

This article is originally a publication of Property Casualty 360 on October 28, 2019. Legal opinions may vary when based on subtle factual differences. All rights reserved. Amazon is the quintessential example of a modern-day “disrupter.” From books to electronics to groceries and media, the trillion-dollar behemoth has significantly impacted almost every sector of the economy. Perhaps les...

Subro Sense Podcast – Unpacking Product Claims against Amazon

Historically, many jurisdictions have held that Amazon was not a “Seller” when considering products sold on its website by third-party vendors. Recently, a U.S. Court of Appeals held for the first time that Amazon was a “Seller” and therefore potentially liable for defective products purchased on its website. Host Aaron Jacobs will be joined by guest Michael Wolfer as they discuss the ...

Congratulations to our Newest Senior Associates!

Please join us in congratulating Michael Wolfer and Gray Kelly for achieving the Senior Associate designation in our firm. We thank Michael and Gray for their service and commitment to the firm....

Amazon is subject to liability as “Seller,” rules the Third Circuit

In my article last month, “Should Amazon be Liable for Products Sold in its Marketplace,” I discussed how the Fourth Circuit, like many courts before it, ruled Amazon was not a “Seller” when considering products sold on its website by third-party vendors. While the Fourth Circuit in Erie Insurance Company v. Amazon.com, Inc., 2019 WL 215146, ruled in Amazon’s favor, Judge Motz wrote sep...

Should Amazon be Liable for Products Sold in its Marketplace?

Amazon, the largest e-commerce website in the world and a member of the “Big Four” has repeatedly, and successfully, argued that the company is not liable for harm caused by the defective products that are sold by third parties on its website. Most recently, Amazon avoided potential liability arising from a house fire caused by a defective headlamp. In Erie Insurance Company v. Amazon.com, In...

Notre Dame and Handling Tragic Losses

Imagine you just received an email with the subject line “New Assignment – April 15, 2019 loss – Paris, France.” You open the email and learn that you will be assisting in the rebuilding of Notre Dame. Immediately you realize this is not just another assignment. Notre Dame has served as a place of worship and a symbol of cultural heritage for nearly a millennia. People immediately gathere...

Lots of Cold Feelings in Pipe Freeze Claims

A recent Pennsylvania decision highlights the difficulties and critical issues associated with identifying potentially liable parties in pipe freeze cases. Freezing temperatures have captured the country’s attention once again. Videos and photographs of the Chicago tundra have gone viral on social media, serving as a reminder of winter’s icy grip. While pipe freezes may not be as visually stu...

District Judge in New Jersey Rules Waiver of Subrogation Provision in Residential Lease Is Unenforceable

Allstate New Jersey Insurance Company v. AvalonBay Communities, Inc., Case No. 16—5441, 2017 WL 1095473 (D.N.J. March 22, 2017). Background This case involved a subrogation action arising out of a fire loss at a residential apartment complex owned and managed by the Defendant. It is alleged that the Defendant’s maintenance workers caused a massive five-alarm fire while performing plumbing re...