Former D.A. Lynne Abraham Looks Forward

Her office prosecuted 75,000 cases each year

Philadelphia’s former longtime district attorney, Lynne Abraham is not ready to say she's arrived.

"There is this quote by artist Joan Miro that goes like this 'What a terrible thing for a human being to feel he has achieved everything they've set out to do in life because that means they haven't set the bar high enough.' So I still have a lot to accomplish," said Abraham.

Philadelphia's longest-serving district attorney is going back to work, just one day after officially leaving her old job.

Abraham is joining the local law firm of Archer and Greiner, P.C. as a partner, but there won't be time for a vacation -- the former D.A. is set to start her new position on January 18.

"I will be meeting people from the firm and look forward to the future, serving the interest of their clients with the highest quality," said Abraham.

Archer and Greiner is based in Haddonfield, N.J. and has several offices in the Delaware Valley. Abraham will work out of the Philly office -- from the 32nd floor of One Liberty Place.

The firm says she'll concentrate her practice on government relations, mediation, litigation and trial strategy and tactics. She'll also continue working in the private sector on initiatives to prevent gun violence and "curbing the activities of Internet sex predators."

The announcement came one day after Abraham's successor, Seth Williams, took the oath of office as the city’s first black district attorney.

Abraham was the first woman to ever serve as Philadelphia's district attorney. She held that office since 1991. That office prosecutes approximately 75,000 cases every year. Abraham oversaw 300 assistant district attorneys and 275 support staff.

“While it was extraordinarily pleasing to break that barrier it was more meaningful to give back to the City of Philadelphia. My position as the District Attorney filled every moment of my life seven days a week,” said Abraham.

Abraham decided not to run for re-election this last time around. A decision she said her husband, late radio personality Frank Ford, made for her after her he became ill. He died in March 2009.

“Another run for office was impossible at the time. I devoted my evening time to him and I had to look after his care,” said Abraham. “But am I leaving open the option of running for public office again,” she said.

As for what office Abraham may seek, she remains tight-lipped but one thing she will say is that retirement is not an option, at least for now.

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