Lynne M. Abraham

Lynne concentrates her practice in the areas of mediation, civil litigation and trial strategy and tactics. A significant focus for Lynne is representing banks and financial institutions in complex litigation, medical malpractice, and complex civil negligence matters.

Lynne joined Archer following a distinguished career in public service that began shortly after she graduated from Temple Law School in 1965. From 1991 to 2010, Lynne served as Philadelphia District Attorney, and was the first woman to hold the position. Originally appointed by Philadelphia judges in May 1991, she won election in November 1991 to an unexpired term and was re-elected to four, four-year terms before announcing she would not seek re-election. Her 19-year tenure as district attorney is the longest in modern city history.

As leader of the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania and one of the largest in the nation, employing approximately 600 attorneys and investigators and handling more than 75,000 cases a year, Lynne forged a reputation as a tough and effective yet compassionate protector of public safety for the 1.5 million citizens of the City and County of Philadelphia. Among her myriad accomplishments, Lynne was the first district attorney in the country to investigate and prosecute sexual abuse and predation by the priests of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. A 500-page “Report to the Public” was issued naming offenders and making constructive suggestions to the Legislature on how new legislation could assist in eliminating wide-spread clergy sexual abuse in all faiths.

In addition, Lynne was among the first prosecutors in the country to form a non-profit foundation operating in a district attorney’s office when she co-founded Urban Genesis Inc. to promote community leadership and provide grants to fund projects to improve neighborhoods and help the needy. In addition, I-L.E.A.D. was founded as a 501(c)(3) at the same time to offer community members a chance to achieve a fully accredited Associates Degree from Harcum College paid for through grant funding.