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David F. Abernethy concentrates his practice on commercial litigation, with particular emphasis on the defense of products liability actions involving chemical exposure, pharmaceutical products and medical devices and the representation of insurers in coverage disputes involving general liability and directors’ and officers’ liability policies. David also handles a wide range of commercial contract, fraud and business tort cases.
Products Litigation. David has defended hundreds of products liability claims in Philadelphia on behalf of one of the nation’s largest pharmaceutical makers. He is national coordinating counsel for benzene exposure cases for a major manufacturer of consumer and industrial products. David has extensive appellate experience, including briefing and arguing numerous appeals in asbestos-related products liability claims.
Insurance Coverage Litigation. David has represented a number of the country’s largest insurance carriers, at trial and in appeals, handling complex coverage disputes under general liability and directors' and officers' liability policies. These disputes have arisen from diverse underlying litigation, including asbestos bodily injury and buildings claims, AIDS bodily injury claims, environmental pollution claims and securities actions.
Other Commercial Litigation. David has prosecuted and defended a variety of complex commercial cases, most recently prevailing in an arbitration proceeding in which our Fortune 100 client succeeded in terminating a key agreement that governed the management of one of its joint ventures. He has defended a number of complex fraud and breach of contract actions, and litigated direct and derivative claims in shareholder disputes involving closely held corporations. David has extensive experience litigating appeals in Pennsylvania state and various federal appellate courts.
In General. David graduated from Syracuse University in 1980 and from the Syracuse University College of Law in 1982, both summa cum laude. Before joining the firm he served in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, where he gained extensive trial experience as a prosecuting attorney. David is the chair of the firm’s pro bono committee and oversees the firm's pro bono practice. | 