Pennsylvania Family Law Attorney
Abbie is a family law attorney who helps clients navigate divorce, custody, and support matters with clarity and a steady, grounded approach. She works with individuals facing difficult transitions and focuses on helping them understand their options while taking the legal process off their plate so they can focus on moving forward.
Her approach is shaped by her background in restorative justice and her work supporting individuals experiencing abuse. She focuses on hearing what clients want and keeping those goals front and center, even when situations become complex or emotional. She is known for listening closely and for seeing her clients as whole people, not just cases, bringing a level of attention and humanity that is often missing from the legal process. She communicates honestly and directly, while still bringing compassion to every interaction.
Abbie has experience representing clients in divorce, custody, and support matters, including custody modifications and high-conflict situations. She brings a strong awareness of power imbalances in relationships and works to support clients who may feel at a disadvantage, while still approaching each situation without judgment. Clients working with Abbie can expect thoughtful preparation, attention to detail, and an attorney who remains steady and engaged throughout the process.
Before joining Petrelli Previtera, Abbie’s work focused on supporting individuals navigating complex and often high-stakes situations, including those involving abuse, discrimination, and systemic challenges. She began her career working directly with individuals seeking protection from abuse orders and has continued that work through both legal and community-based roles. She also has experience in civil rights, public defense, and plaintiff-side employment law.
Abbie earned her Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School, where she served as Co-Director of the Family Practice at the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau and represented clients in family law matters including custody, divorce, and domestic violence cases. She was also a member of Harvard Defenders, providing client-centered representation in criminal proceedings, and completed over 2,000 hours of pro bono service. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania, graduating summa cum laude with honors in Political Science and Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies.
Abbie remains actively involved in restorative justice work, including facilitating harm healing, conflict resolution, and transformation processes for community members and organizations, and providing training in restorative justice to interested parties. Restorative justice work focuses on strengthening relationships, reducing harm, understanding and meeting peoples’ needs, and working toward outcomes that allow people to heal and move forward in a good way. Abbie is also the author of work on sexual violence prevention education and restorative justice, with publications including writing featured in Washington Monthly and contributions to law review article Taking Restorative Justice Seriously.
Abbie is accepting new clients and is available for consultation by appointment, either virtually via Zoom or in person at the firm’s Philadelphia office. She looks forward to hearing about your situation, helping you understand your options, and supporting you as you move forward.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- Pennsylvania
- New Jersey
- Massachusetts
Education
- Harvard Law School, Juris Doctor
- University of Pennsylvania, Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude
Publications & Presentations
- Contributor to “Taking Restorative Justice Seriously”
- Author of work on sexual violence prevention education and relationship dynamics
- Published in Washington Monthly
- “Critical Race Theory Embodied,” Harvard Law School Conference (2023)
- “Freedom Dreaming with Restorative Justice: Community Applications,” Harvard Law School Conference (2022)
- “Visions for Community Safety,” UC Washington Center Conference (2023)
Professional Associations & Affiliations
- Philadelphia LGBTQ Bar Association
Areas of Practice
- Divorce
- Custody
- Spousal Support
- Marital Agreements
- Custody Modifications
- Family Law