Lawrence A. Wolfe was born in London, Ontario, Canada, and moved to Detroit with his family in 1952. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wayne State University in 1969 and a J.D. from the Detroit College of Law in 1972. Mr. Wolfe practiced law for seven years specializing in corporate and labor law. In 1979, he joined Production Tool Supply Company, an international distributor of industrial tools, supplies, and machinery. He became president of this company in 2003.

Mr. Wolfe is married to the former Andrea Kahn, and they have two children and four grandchildren. He is an active participant or board member in many organizations including: the American Technion Society, Bar Ilan University, Hillel Day School of Metropolitan Detroit, Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), Jewish Community Center Association (North America), and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit (2012-13 campaign chair).