Rolf E. Kroll

Rolf has extensive experience defending municipalities, public officials, and local governments in high-stakes civil rights litigation. He regularly represents public entities in claims brought under 42 U.S.C. 1983 and related state law causes of action, including allegations involving police encounters, arrests, high-speed pursuits, use-of-force incidents, zoning and land-use decisions, employment retaliation, and municipal ordinances. He has secured dismissals and summary judgment in cases alleging violations of the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments, ADA claims, selective enforcement, and municipal liability, often by demonstrating the absence of a constitutional seizure, lack of retaliatory animus, exigent circumstances requiring split-second decision-making, or content-neutral exercises of governmental authority. His work includes precedent-setting decisions affirmed by the Third Circuit and Commonwealth Court, particularly in cases addressing due process “stigma-plus” claims, procedural transfer requirements, and the limits of constitutional liability arising from routine police and municipal operations. Rolf is also the author of By Amendment, a treatise on the history of civil rights litigation in the United States, and regularly counsels municipal entities navigating constitutional risk.

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.

Honors

•AV Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rated

Speaking Engagements

•“Contractor Deliveries & Premises Liability” PAMIC, April 2025 (Lancaster, PA)
•“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
•“The Reptile Theory and Bad Faith”
•“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

Client Testimonials

“You are the Mikhail Baryshnikov of attorneys. The GOAT. Thank you.”

“You were so prepared, confident, well spoken and I’m so happy you’re on my team.”

“You did a great job, especially in dealing with the plaintiff’s attorney!”

“It was terrific working with you. Many thanks for jumping in with both feet on this one!”

“We could have never received the successful verdict without you by our side. Thank you very much for everything.” - Insured/Policyholder

“We are very satisfied with the legal services provided by Attorney Rolf E. Kroll.”

“Thank you for not only your expert handling of the negotiations that resulted in a successful settlement, but for the many hours of fact-finding and strategizing.”

News & Case Results

Summary Judgment Granted in 7-Figure UIM Bicycle Accident Case

Rolf Kroll and Claire Murtha Secure Third Circuit Ruling Protecting Municipality’s Right to Keep Public Parking Public

Dismissal with Prejudice in Dog Bite Case with Permanent Injuries Involving Minor in Dauphin County, PA

Summary Judgment Granted in High-Exposure Pedestrian Accident Case (Lebanon County, PA)

Rolf Kroll Secures Dismissal of Federal Claims Arising from High-Speed Fatal Police Pursuit

Rolf Kroll & Claire Murtha Secure Dismissal of Fourth Amendment Claim Convincing Court that A Police Encounter and Direction to Disburse Does Not Violate the Constitution

Partner Rolf Kroll Secures Dismissal of Plaintiff’s Federal and State Court Civil Rights Claims

Rolf Kroll Secures Dismissal of Selective Enforcement/Equal Protection and Substantive Due Process Claims

Rolf Kroll Secures Important Ruling regarding ADA Implications in a Lethal Use of Force Case

Rolf Kroll Convinces Court that “Immature Criticisms and Rudeness” Not Enough to Prove a First Amendment Retaliation Claim or a Violation of the PHRA

Rolf Kroll Establishes New Law Relating to Transfers of Pendant State Law Claims After the Federal Court Relinquishes Jurisdiction of the Federal Claims

Rolf Kroll Secures Dismissal of Claims by Suspected Thief Despite Arrest and Booking and subsequent Dismissal of all Criminal Charges

Rolf Kroll Secures Dismissal of False Arrest and Malicious Prosecution claim of Man “Falsely” Accused of Theft Dismissed

High-Speed Police Chase - Defense Motion to Dismiss Prevails

Rolf Kroll Secures Dismissal of 4th and Fourteenth Amendment Claims Following 12 Mile High Speed Pursuit Resulting in Serious Injury

You Can’t Burn that Here! - Rolf Kroll Secures Dismissal in First Amendment Flag Burning Case

Rolf Kroll Convinces Court that while Nude Dancing is Protected Speech, Opening a Strip Club is Not

Rolf Kroll Successfully Limits Damages in 4 day York County Premises Liability Action

Rolf Kroll Obtains Improbable Defense Verdict in Automobile Negligence Case In Franklin County

Harrisburg Partner, Rolf Kroll, Obtains Defense Verdict in Five Day Commercial Property Loss Trial

Rolf Kroll, Esq. - Dauphin County Civil Rights Victory - Chiropractic Records Seized - Rule 11 Dismissal

Civil Rights Victory - Case of 1st Impression - Congratulations to Rolf Kroll, Esq., of our Harrisburg Office