Attorney Profiles
Michael A. Karaffa Sr. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| Shareholder | |
| phone | (412) 803-1141 |
| fax | (412) 803-1188 |
| makaraffa@mdwcg.com | |
Michael A. Karaffa joined MDWC&G in 2002, where he practices in the firm's Casualty Department. Michael represents clients in a wide variety of matters, including trucking liability, product liability, fire loss litigation, motor vehicle liability, general litigation, and appeals. Over the course of his career, he has handled dozens of trucking accident cases, hundreds of asbestos claims, and multiple fire loss cases. He recently litigated and reached a successful settlement in a $10 million property fire loss claim allegedly caused by a defective product.
Michael's experience with multi-party litigation includes the handling of several class action matters, including one case involving the constitutionality of the creation of the Rails to Trails Linear Park, and one case involving the legality of a large corporation changing medical and health benefits for its retirees. He has also handled multiple party litigation arising from trucking loss claims, including a 42-vehicle accident, a 22-vehicle accident, and a 70-vehicle accident.
Michael is a 1978 magna cum laude graduate of the University of Pittsburgh where he received a B.S. degree in mathematics and economics. He attended Duquesne University School of Law where he served as a member of the Moot Court Board and received his J.D. degree in 1981.
- Year Joined Organization:
- 2002
- Areas of Practice:
- Trucking Liability
- Product Liability
- Motor Vehicle Liability
- General Litigation & Appeals
- Fire Loss Litigation
- Construction Litigation
- Professional Liability
- Bar Admissions:
- Pennsylvania, 1981
- U.S. District Court Western District of Pennsylvania, 1981
- U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit, 1984
- U.S. Tax Court, 1985
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1990
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Pennsylvania, 1999
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 2002
- Education:
- Duquesne University School of Law, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
1981
J.D.
Honors: Moot Court Board - University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
1978
B.S.
Honors: Magna Cum Laude
- Classes/Seminars Taught:
- Duquesne University Moot Court Board
- Professional Associations and Memberships:
- Allegheny County Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Fraternities/Sororities:
- Kappa Kappa Psi
- Phi Eta Sigma
- Omicron Delta Epsilon









