1977, State of Florida

1977, State of Illinois

U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida

U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

U.S. Supreme Court

Stetson University College of Law (J.D., 1977)

Illinois State University (B.S., 1973)

David J. Abbey

David J. Abbey is an attorney in Wicker Smith’s St. Petersburg office, where his practice focuses on general liability, uninsured motorist, motor vehicle, and trucking negligence claims, and insurance and bad faith litigation.

Board certified in Civil Trial Practice by the Florida Bar, David has been a prolific trial lawyer on Florida’s Gulf Coast for over 40 years. Prior to joining Wicker Smith in 2026, he was a named partner in his own firm, where he represented organizations, governmental entities, insurance companies and individuals in a wide range of complex litigation matters. He has tried over 100 jury trials throughout his career, as well as countless mediations and arbitrations, and numerous appeals.

David is an Illinois native who holds an undergraduate degree from Illinois State University and a law degree from Stetson University College of Law. Deeply committed to community involvement, he is an active member of multiple professional organizations, a past President of the St. Petersburg Bar Association and the Kiwanis Club of St. Petersburg, as well as a past trustee and current council member at his church.

Outside of the office, David is an avid gardener, farmer, and car racing enthusiast. He has attended every Indianapolis 500 since 1965, with the exception of 2020 when fans were not allowed to attend due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The Florida Bar (Trial Lawyers Section; Civil Procedure Rules Committee 1994-2003)
• 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, Illinois, Bar Association
• Petersburg Bar Association (President, 2003-2004; Secretary, 1987-1988; Executive Committee, 1996-1998, 2000-2002; Trial Lawyers Section)
• Trucking Industry Defense Association (TIDA)
• First United Methodist Church of St. Petersburg (Trustee; Church Council; Staff-Parish Committee; Pre-school Committee; Usher)