Meet David J. Abbey

Mr. Abbey has been defending organizations, governmental entities, insurance companies and individuals for over 40 years in personal injury, wrongful death, and coverage litigation. Mr. Abbey has tried in excess of 100 jury trials and participated in numerous appeals and arbitrations.

Practice Areas

• Agriculture/Industrial Accidents
• Bad Faith
• Coverage Litigation Motor Vehicle Liability/Trucking Defense
• Premises Liability
• Products Liability
• Uninsured Motorist Claims
• Wrongful Death

Education

• J.D., Stetson University College of Law, Gulfport, FL, 1977
• B.S., Illinois State University, Normal, IL, 1973

Admissions

• Florida 1977
• Illinois 1977
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
• U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
• U.S. Supreme Court

Professional Affiliations

• American Bar Association (Commercial and Transportation Section; Tort Trial Insurance Practice Section)
• Florida Defense Lawyers Association
• Florida Trucking Association
• Hillsborough County Bar Association
• Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel
• Illinois State Bar Association (Tort Law Section; Insurance Law Section)
• McLean County Bar Association
• St. Petersburg Bar Association (President, 2003-2004; Secretary, 1987-1988; Executive Committee, 1996-1998, 2000-2002; Trial Lawyers Section)
• The Florida Bar (Trial Lawyers Section; Civil Procedure Rules Committee 1994-2003)
• Trucking Industry Defense Association (TIDA)

Community Involvement

• First United Methodist Church of St. Petersburg; (Trustee; Staff-Parish Committee; Pre-school Committee; Usher)
• HTR Foundation (American Civil War Heritage, Board Member)
• Illinois State University: (Attorney Advisory Board, 2000-2022)
• Legion of Honor Member Kiwanis Club of St. Petersburg (President, 2012-2013)

Publications

• David J. Abbey and Kimberly A. Staffa, “Tactics to Combat Improper Comment and Argument by Plaintiff’s Counsel,” Trial Advocate Quarterly, Florida Defense Lawyers Association, Winter 1996, at 25
• David J. Abbey, Clancey Bounds and Kimberly A. Staffa, “Florida Uninsured Motorist Law Since Shelby: Florida Supreme Court Decisions and Legislative Response,” Trial Advocate Quarterly, Florida Defense Lawyers Association, Winter 1994, at 13

Distinctions

• 2023 Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year: Litigation-Insurance Law
• Adjunct Professor, Stetson College of Law, taught courses in Insurance Law and Damages (1987-1991)
• A-V® rated by Martindale-Hubbell
• Board Certified in Civil Trial by The Florida Bar (1993-Present)
• Florida Super Lawyers
• Florida Trend’s Legal Elite
• Wall Street Journal’s listing of the Top Attorneys in Florida

Presentations

Mr. Abbey has spoken to bar associations and firm clients on the topics listed below in
recent years.

• A Defense Prospective on Offers of Judgment and Proposals for Settlement
• Cases Most Likely to Proceed to Litigation and Trial
• Comparative Negligence, Comparative Fault and Joint and Several Liability
• Consequences on Civil/Insurance Claims of Attorneys’ Actions on Behalf of Criminal Defendants
• Defending the Questionable Disc Injury Claim
• Defending the TMD Claim
• Discovery Issues Involving Adjusters and Carriers
• Florida Bad Faith; Its History, Purpose and Development
• Avoiding Bad Faith Traps and Set-ups
• Florida Motor Vehicle Laws
• Premises Liability
• Renter and Owner Liability for negligent Use of Motor Vehicle
• Scope of Expert Discovery in Florida: The Forest through the Trees
• The Florida Casualty Claim: Accident to Appeal
• Trucking Litigation in Florida from a Defendant’s Perspective
• Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Personal Interests

• Auto Racing: Attended each Indianapolis 500 since 1965 to present
• Gardening and Farming: Maintained Florida backyard vegetable garden since 1980s to present
• Owns property in Illinois, which is farmed by a brother, Jeff Abbey.