Robinson Cole LLP
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E. Evans Wohlforth is a business litigator and appellate practitioner who has combined wide experience with the complex issues that arise in sophisticated litigation with an ability to identify and achieve practical solutions in commercial disputes.

Evans has particularly focused on health/managed care matters, having represented major payors in litigated matters in federal and state trial and appellate courts and in arbitrations. He has been listed as counsel on numerous published and unpublished opinions in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) field and has been frequently called on for his proficiency in other code-based areas of federal law as well as in complex class and multi-district actions involving a wide range of commercial issues.

Evans has represented clients in the federal district and bankruptcy courts of New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Idaho, Kansas, and Pennsylvania; the Second and Third Circuit Courts of Appeals; the state trial and appellate courts of New Jersey, Florida, New York, and Nevada; and the trial courts of North Carolina and California.

Evans’s broad experience in substantively and procedurally complex matters and his frequent appearances in the courts in New Jersey and elsewhere have made him a trusted authority and advocate by litigants and judges alike. The Federal District of New Jersey has called on him to act as pro bono counsel in prisoners’ rights class action litigation.

ERISA Litigation

Evans has represented a major ERISA benefits administrator and carrier for a number of years, handling matters of statewide and national importance and litigating a series of high impact issues, including cases that concern coverage for so-called “extension of practice” unlicensed surgical facilities, waiver of co-insurance/co-pay by medical providers, and “usual and customary” rates for reimbursement.  Numerous decisions won by Evans have moved the law in favor of the correct interpretation of common ERISA plan provisions and the preemption of state law by ERISA.

In the health arena, Evans has represented a major payors before the Second Circuit recently winning an important opinion rejecting tort liability for payors and in a major class action matter. He successfully defended an appeal to the Third Circuit regarding a coverage issue of statewide significance in New Jersey.  In other class action work, Evans secured the dismissal of a putative ERISA class action concerning payment for an unproven medical procedure. He is currently handling numerous trial level matters in the United States District of New Jersey, the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, the state courts of both states and in arbitrations around the country.

Commercial/Securities Litigation

Outside of the health/managed care arena, Evans has litigated a wide range of contract, business tort, and securities matters, including a trade secret/misappropriation case; a high-profile case concerning a consulting agreement; two extended matters concerning municipal bonds; numerous trademark and copyright disputes; and a lawsuit over a regional photocopy machine distributorship agreement for a major manufacturer. In representing a bond trading house, Evans succeeded in blocking the call of a Florida Highway Authority’s general obligation bonds, a result that was upheld on appeal. Other appellate experience has involved trade secrets, the scope of the “pollution exclusion” clause in commercial insurance, the reach of the parole evidence rule in New Jersey, and the “Opinion 39” attorney advertising issue decided by the New Jersey Supreme Court.

Bankruptcy Litigation

Evans has been involved with some of the largest and most prominent asbestos-based bankruptcies in the nation. During his five-year clerkship with Judge Wolin of the District of New Jersey, he was involved with cases that changed the landscape in this complex and evolving area, including Federal Mogul, Owens Corning, and the W.R. Grace/Sealed Air matters. Since then, he has counseled and appeared for clients in the G-I Holdings, United Gilsonite Laboratories, and Kaiser Aluminum chapter 11 cases. Important, non-asbestos bankruptcy representations include the multi-districted In re Tribune Co. Fraudulent Conveyance Litigation and the very large, Idaho real estate Ponzi-scheme, In re DBSI, in which Evans appeared for the chapter 11 and litigation trustees in numerous contested matters.

Clerkships

Evans was a judicial clerk to the Honorable Gary S. Stein of the New Jersey Supreme Court and to the Honorable Alfred M. Wolin of the United States District Court.

  • Rutgers University School of Law (Juris Doctor, Order of the Coif)
    • Senior Articles Editor, Rutgers Law Review
  • Manhattan School of Music (M.Mus.)
  • San Francisco Conservatory of Music (B.Mus.)

  • State of New Jersey
  • State of New York
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 3rd Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York

Selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the area of Commercial Litigation since 2013

Selected to the New York Metro Super Lawyers list for 2024 and 2025

Selected to the New Jersey Super Lawyers list from 2007 to 2019 and for 2021 and 2022

John C. Lifland American Inn of Court
Master

Essex County Bar Association

New Jersey State Bar Association

American Bar Association

New York City Bar Association

American Health Law Association

Rutgers Law School
Adjunct Professor of Law

Publications


June 1, 2008

Go Forth and Infringe No More? Dischargeability in Bankruptcy and Willful Patent Infringement

The Metropolitan Corporate Counsel

View the article.

June 1, 2008

Go Forth and Infringe No More? Dischargeability in Bankruptcy and Willful Patent Infringement

The Metropolitan Corporate Counsel

View the article.


News


November 6, 2025

Robinson+Cole Commends 62 Attorneys Recognized in 2025 Super Lawyers®

Robinson+Cole announced a total of 35 attorneys were named to Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers® lists and 27 lawyers were recognized on its “Rising Stars” lists in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island for 2025. In addition, Robinson+Cole Labor, Employment, Benefits, Immigration + Tax group chair Rachel V. Kushel, Appellate group chair Linda L. Morkan, and Manufacturing Law Industry team chair Jeffrey J. White were named to the Top 50: 2025 Connecticut Super Lawyers list. Rachel and Linda also appear on the Top 25: 2025 Women Connecticut Super Lawyers list. In addition, Bankruptcy + Reorganizations group co-chair, Natalie D. Ramsey was named to the Top 50: 2005 Women Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list. The Super Lawyers designation is based on regional balloting by attorneys, third-party research, and a peer review process encompassing myriad practice areas. An explanation of the Super Lawyers methodology can be found here. Recognized attorneys and their areas of practice include the following: Hartford, CT - Super Lawyers® Wystan M. Ackerman – Class Action Stephen W. Aronson – Employment Lit: Defense Bradford S. Babbitt – Business Litigation Bruce B. Barth – Employee Benefits Garry C. Berman – Real Estate Patrick M. Birney – Bankruptcy: Business Dennis C. Cavanaugh – Construction Litigation Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson – Employment & Labor Kathleen Dion – Schools & Education Michael R. Enright – Bankruptcy: Business Gregory R. Faulkner – Construction Litigation Edward J. Heath – Business Litigation Frederick E. Hedberg – Construction Litigation Rachel V. Kushel – Employment & Labor Michael F. Maglio – Banking Virginia E. McGarrity – Employee Benefits Joey Lee Miranda – Energy & Resources Linda L. Morkan – Appellate Martin A. Onorato – Construction Litigation James P. Ray – Environmental Litigation Emilee Mooney Scott – Environmental Rhonda J. Tobin – Insurance Coverage Theodore J. Tucci – Health Care Abby M. Warren – Employment & Labor Jeffrey J. White – Aviation and Aerospace Hartford, CT - Rising Stars Dan A. Brody – Criminal Defense: White Collar Kayla D. O’Leary Daly – Intellectual Property Jason H. DePatie – Insurance Coverage Scott T. Garosshen – Appellate Larry E. Grijalva – Construction Litigation Ryan Hoyler – Land Use/Zoning Kathryn N. Mullin – Real Estate Abigail L. Preissler – Securities & Corp Fin Jonathan H. Schaefer – Environmental Jennifer L. Shanley – Immigration: Business Taylor A. Shea – Business/Corp. Mallori D. Thompson – Business Litigation Taylor A. Vann – Civil Litigation: Defense Stamford, CT – Super Lawyers®  Steven L. Elbaum – Real Estate Brian J. Wheelin – Business Litigation Stamford, CT - Rising Stars Raymond J. Carta – Civil Litigation: Defense Emily C. Deans – Environmental Diana E. Neeves – Environmental Austin G. Provost – Real Estate Massachusetts - Super Lawyers® Kendra L. Berardi – Civil Litigation: Defense Danielle Andrews Long – Civil Litigation: Defense Seth B. Orkand – Criminal Defense: White Collar         Massachusetts - Rising Stars Jessica D. Bardi – Land Use/Zoning Jeffrey R. Gribouski – General Litigation Taz Islam – Business Litigation Rita E. Nerney – Employee Benefits New York Metro - Super Lawyers® John F. McCarrick – Insurance Coverage David D. Rodrigues – Intellectual Property Anna Jinhua Wang – Securities & Corporate Finance Evans E. Wohlforth Jr. – Health Care New York Metro - Rising Stars Joshua A. Dachs – Civil Litigation Sabrina M. Galli – Business Litigation New York Upstate - Rising Stars Danielle H. Tangorre – Health Care Wilmington, DE - Super Lawyers® and Pennsylvania - Super Lawyers® Natalie D. Ramsey – Bankruptcy: Business Pennsylvania - Rising Stars Katherine M. Fix – Bankruptcy: Business Rhode Island - Rising Stars William M. Daley – Business Litigation Kathryn M. Rattigan – Business Litigation

Recognition spans key regions and highlights the firm’s seasoned practitioners and emerging leaders in many business transactions and litigation practices
Robinson+Cole Commends 62 Attorneys Recognized in 2025 <i>Super Lawyers</i>® teaser
August 26, 2025

78 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2026

Firm receives top listing in Connecticut lawyer count in national peer review survey
78 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2026 teaser
October 31, 2024

Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized in 2024 Super Lawyers®

Thomson Reuters
Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized in 2024 <i>Super Lawyers</i>® teaser
November 6, 2025

Robinson+Cole Commends 62 Attorneys Recognized in 2025 Super Lawyers®

Robinson+Cole announced a total of 35 attorneys were named to Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers® lists and 27 lawyers were recognized on its “Rising Stars” lists in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island for 2025. In addition, Robinson+Cole Labor, Employment, Benefits, Immigration + Tax group chair Rachel V. Kushel, Appellate group chair Linda L. Morkan, and Manufacturing Law Industry team chair Jeffrey J. White were named to the Top 50: 2025 Connecticut Super Lawyers list. Rachel and Linda also appear on the Top 25: 2025 Women Connecticut Super Lawyers list. In addition, Bankruptcy + Reorganizations group co-chair, Natalie D. Ramsey was named to the Top 50: 2005 Women Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list. The Super Lawyers designation is based on regional balloting by attorneys, third-party research, and a peer review process encompassing myriad practice areas. An explanation of the Super Lawyers methodology can be found here. Recognized attorneys and their areas of practice include the following: Hartford, CT - Super Lawyers® Wystan M. Ackerman – Class Action Stephen W. Aronson – Employment Lit: Defense Bradford S. Babbitt – Business Litigation Bruce B. Barth – Employee Benefits Garry C. Berman – Real Estate Patrick M. Birney – Bankruptcy: Business Dennis C. Cavanaugh – Construction Litigation Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson – Employment & Labor Kathleen Dion – Schools & Education Michael R. Enright – Bankruptcy: Business Gregory R. Faulkner – Construction Litigation Edward J. Heath – Business Litigation Frederick E. Hedberg – Construction Litigation Rachel V. Kushel – Employment & Labor Michael F. Maglio – Banking Virginia E. McGarrity – Employee Benefits Joey Lee Miranda – Energy & Resources Linda L. Morkan – Appellate Martin A. Onorato – Construction Litigation James P. Ray – Environmental Litigation Emilee Mooney Scott – Environmental Rhonda J. Tobin – Insurance Coverage Theodore J. Tucci – Health Care Abby M. Warren – Employment & Labor Jeffrey J. White – Aviation and Aerospace Hartford, CT - Rising Stars Dan A. Brody – Criminal Defense: White Collar Kayla D. O’Leary Daly – Intellectual Property Jason H. DePatie – Insurance Coverage Scott T. Garosshen – Appellate Larry E. Grijalva – Construction Litigation Ryan Hoyler – Land Use/Zoning Kathryn N. Mullin – Real Estate Abigail L. Preissler – Securities & Corp Fin Jonathan H. Schaefer – Environmental Jennifer L. Shanley – Immigration: Business Taylor A. Shea – Business/Corp. Mallori D. Thompson – Business Litigation Taylor A. Vann – Civil Litigation: Defense Stamford, CT – Super Lawyers®  Steven L. Elbaum – Real Estate Brian J. Wheelin – Business Litigation Stamford, CT - Rising Stars Raymond J. Carta – Civil Litigation: Defense Emily C. Deans – Environmental Diana E. Neeves – Environmental Austin G. Provost – Real Estate Massachusetts - Super Lawyers® Kendra L. Berardi – Civil Litigation: Defense Danielle Andrews Long – Civil Litigation: Defense Seth B. Orkand – Criminal Defense: White Collar         Massachusetts - Rising Stars Jessica D. Bardi – Land Use/Zoning Jeffrey R. Gribouski – General Litigation Taz Islam – Business Litigation Rita E. Nerney – Employee Benefits New York Metro - Super Lawyers® John F. McCarrick – Insurance Coverage David D. Rodrigues – Intellectual Property Anna Jinhua Wang – Securities & Corporate Finance Evans E. Wohlforth Jr. – Health Care New York Metro - Rising Stars Joshua A. Dachs – Civil Litigation Sabrina M. Galli – Business Litigation New York Upstate - Rising Stars Danielle H. Tangorre – Health Care Wilmington, DE - Super Lawyers® and Pennsylvania - Super Lawyers® Natalie D. Ramsey – Bankruptcy: Business Pennsylvania - Rising Stars Katherine M. Fix – Bankruptcy: Business Rhode Island - Rising Stars William M. Daley – Business Litigation Kathryn M. Rattigan – Business Litigation

Recognition spans key regions and highlights the firm’s seasoned practitioners and emerging leaders in many business transactions and litigation practices
Robinson+Cole Commends 62 Attorneys Recognized in 2025 <i>Super Lawyers</i>® teaser
August 26, 2025

78 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2026

Firm receives top listing in Connecticut lawyer count in national peer review survey
78 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2026 teaser
October 31, 2024

Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized in 2024 Super Lawyers®

Thomson Reuters
Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized in 2024 <i>Super Lawyers</i>® teaser
August 15, 2024

78 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2025

78 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in <i>The Best Lawyers in America</i>© 2025 teaser
August 17, 2023

78 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2024

Best Lawyers in America
78 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2024 teaser
April 19, 2023

Robinson+Cole Continues Growth in New York with Addition of Partners in Capital Markets + Securities, Construction, and Managed Care + Employee Benefit Litigation


August 15, 2024

78 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2025

78 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in <i>The Best Lawyers in America</i>© 2025 teaser
August 17, 2023

78 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2024

Best Lawyers in America
78 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2024 teaser
April 19, 2023

Robinson+Cole Continues Growth in New York with Addition of Partners in Capital Markets + Securities, Construction, and Managed Care + Employee Benefit Litigation