David F. Abernethy

David F. Abernethy retired from the private practice of law in 2026 after nearly 40 years as a trial lawyer handling products liability, insurance and commercial cases. Davids extensive trial experience included many jury trials in state and federal courts around the United States and a number of complex arbitration proceedings. David also handled numerous appeals in state and federal appellate courts involving pharmaceutical and medical device products liability cases, asbestos claims, insurance coverage disputes, and a capital habeas case in federal court. David’s practice included a significant amount of pro bono work in diverse areas including family law, veterans benefits, civil rights and other cases. For more than 10 years he served as the pro bono partner for his law firm in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Before entering private practice in 1986, David served for nearly four years as a judge advocate officer in the United States Army, handling civilian labor and military administrative proceedings and acting as a prosecuting attorney in dozens of court-martial cases. He graduated summa cum laude from Syracuse University (1980) and the Syracuse University College of Law (1982).