Richard I. Woolf

Principal
Bank of America Plaza
800 Market Street
Suite 1100
St. Louis, MO 63101-2501
1202 NE McClain Rd
Bentonville, AR 72712
314-242-5390

Print Bio PDF

Richard is an experienced litigator with a strong understanding of the law and a knack for strategic, outside-the-box thinking when it comes to analyzing civil lawsuits.

Richard has tried numerous cases as first- and second-chair and obtains favorable results for his clients. Richard’s practice is concentrated in third-party insurance defense and first-party insurance litigation, as he regularly handles defense matters of all kinds and sizes, including complex property and casualty/liability cases, and first-party matters, including insurance coverage analysis. He is a national presenter on insurance litigation and claims-handling matters, including on various casualty and property topics, insurance coverage issues and efficient claims-handling practices. He has been recognized for his work in insurance law by Best Lawyers.

Richard has a straightforward approach when it comes to handling cases and working with clients, focusing on communication, teamwork, and aggressive defense. These three core philosophies ensure that his clients are informed and regularly updated, that he is maximizing the skills and experience of those involved in any case he handles, and that he controls the litigation process and pace, where possible. This approach has consistently allowed him to successfully handle cases for his clients in an efficient manner.

When not in the office, Richard enjoys working out, playing and watching sports, spending time with family and friends, and hanging out with his dog.

Community Activities
Washington University School of Law Adjunct Professor, Pretrial Procedure & Settlement, 2015-2023
Nusach Hari Bnai Zion Synagogue Board of Directors, 2013-2021, Executive Vice President, 2013-2017

More About Richard

Education

  • Washington University in St. Louis School of Law (J.D., 2005)
  • Yeshiva University (B.A., cum laude, History, 2001)

Bar Admissions

  • Missouri
  • Illinois
  • Kansas
  • Arkansas
  • Iowa
  • Oklahoma
  • Tennessee
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa
  • Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

Recent Achievements

  • Super Lawyers - Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers (2021-2025)
  • Best Lawyers - Litigation-Insurance, The Best Lawyers in America (2021-2026)
  • Best Lawyers - Insurance Law, The Best Lawyers in America (2014-2026)
  • Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers Rising Stars (2013-2019)

Professional Affiliations

  • Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
  • Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
  • Illinois State Bar Association
  • The Missouri Bar
  • Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers
  • Tennessee Bar Association

Speaking

  • Presenter, "Evaluating and Negotiating Complex Bodily Injury and Wrongful Death Claims," PLRB Central Regional Adjusters Conference (August 2024)
  • Presenter, "Evaluating and Negotiating Complex Bodily Injury and Wrongful Death Claims," PLRB Western Regional Adjusters Conference (June 2024)
  • Presenter, "Minor Auto Accidents: Major Damages," PLRB Claims Conference (March 2024)
  • Presenter, "Code Upgrades vs. Pre-Existing Conditions," PLRB Claims Conference (March 2024)
  • Presenter, "Mastering the Maze: Insights on Handling Substantial Property Insurance Claims," NAMIC Claims Conference (February 2024)
  • Presenter, "Valuation, Depreciation & Diminution of Value Challenges," MAMIC (May 2023)
  • Presenter, "Recorded Statements," MAMIC (May 2023)
  • Presenter, "Misrepresentations: Coverage Considerations," PLRB Claims Conference (March 2023)
  • Presenter, "The Changing Nature of the Courts - Overview of Litigation Challenges Post-Pandemic," NAMIC Claims Conference (February 2023)
  • Presenter, "Small Injury, High Demand," CLM (October 2022)
  • Presenter, "Defending the Company and the Company Employee," Baker Sterchi (June 2022)
  • Presenter, "Misrepresentation: Coverage Considerations," PLRB (April 2022)
  • Presenter, "Maximizing the Effectiveness of the Mediation Process," NAMIC (March 2022)
  • Presenter, "Negotiations 2.0," CLM (November 2021)
  • Presenter, "Premises Liability Primer," CLM (November 2021)
  • Presenter, "Missouri, Kansas & Oklahoma: First & Third Party Bad Faith," CLM (February 2021)
  • Presenter, "Can I Have a Witness? Vehicles and the Evidence They Contain," PLRB (October 2020)
  • Presenter, "Minor Auto Accidents: Major Damages," PLRB (March 2020)
  • Presenter, "Case Assessments and Evaluations," CLM (December 2019)
  • Presenter, "Avoiding and Defending Bad Faith Claims," CLM (October 2019)
  • Presenter, "Evaluating and Negotiating Bodily Injury and Wrongful Death Claims," PLRB Regional Adjusters Conferences (September/October 2019)
  • Presenter, "Legal Bill Review for Claims Professionals," CLM (June 2019)
  • Presenter, "Making the Best Use of Your Mediator and the Mediation Process," CLM (May 2019)
  • Presenter, "Misrepresentations: Coverage Considerations," PLRB Claims Conference (April 2019)
  • Presenter, "Diminution in Value," MAMIC (January 2019)
  • Presenter, "Handling Fire Claims," CLM (December 2018)
  • Presenter, "Fool Me Once: A School, Daycare & Coverage Nightmare," PLRB Large Loss Conference (November 2018)
  • Presenter, "Fraud Claims," CLM (August 2018)
  • Presenter, "Negotiation Strategies," CLM (August 2018)
  • Presenter, "Evaluating Additional Insured Coverages," CLM (August 2018)
  • Presenter, "Litigation 101," CLM (July 2018)
  • Presenter, "Assessing and Addressing Insurance Fraud," CLM (July 2018)
  • Presenter, "Valuation, Depreciation, & Diminution of Value Challenges," PLRB Regional Adjusters Conference (June/September/October 2018)
  • Presenter, "Reservation of Rights," CLM (May 2018)
  • Presenter, "Misrepresentations: Coverage Considerations," PLRB Claims Conference (April 2018)
  • Presenter, "Evaluating Additional Insured Coverage and Contractual Indemnity Issues," CLM (April 2018)
  • Presenter, "Premises Security Litigation," CLM (April 2018)
  • Presenter, "Negotiations 2.0," CLM (March 2018)
  • Presenter, "Negotiations 2.0," CLM (February 2018)
  • Presenter, "Latent Defects & Exposure Claims: Special Topics," PLRB Regional Adjusters Conferences (2017)
  • Presenter, "Tips for Accurate Casualty Claims Evaluations," PLRB Regional Adjusters Conferences (2017)
  • Presenter, "Fraudulent Claims: Identification, Investigation and Litigation,: CLM (September 2017)
  • Presenter, "Fundamentals of a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit and Legislative Update," MSMA (April 2017)
  • Presenter, "Reservation of Rights," CLM (February 2017)
  • Presenter, "Practical Professionalism 2.0," CLM (February 2017)
  • Presenter, "Assessing and Addressing Insurance Fraud," CLM (February 2017)
  • Presenter, "Legal Bill Review for Claims Professionals," CLM (June 2016)
  • Presenter, "Case Assessment and Evaluation," CLM (June 2016)
  • Presenter, "Litigation 103," CLM (May 2016)
  • Presenter, "Misrepresentations: Coverage Considerations," PLRB Claims Conference (April 2016)
  • Presenter, "Making Best Use of your Mediator," CLM (March 2016)
  • Presenter, "Multidiscipline Approach to Investigations," CLM St. Louis Chapter (August 2015)
  • Presenter, "Negotiation Strategies 2.0," CLM (June 2015)
  • Presenter, "Negotiation Strategies for Claims Professionals," CLM (June 2015)
  • Presenter, "Premises Security Litigation," CLM (June 2015)
  • Presenter, "Negotiation Strategies," CLM (May 2015)
  • Presenter, "Misrepresentations: Coverage Considerations," PLRB Claims Conference (March 2015)
  • Presenter, "Handling a Fire or Explosion Claim," CLM (December 2014)
  • Presenter, "Fraudulent Claims," CLM (November 2014)
  • Presenter, "Fundamentals of Litigation Management," CLM (October 2014)
  • Presenter, "Misrepresentations: Coverage Considerations," PLRB Claims Conference (March 2014)