Barley Snyder Welcomes Former President Judge David Ashworth to Mediation Team

Lancaster, Pa. – Barley Snyder is proud to announce that former Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas President Judge David L. Ashworth has joined the firm as a mediator, further strengthening the firm’s alternative dispute resolution capabilities.

For more than four decades, Judge Ashworth has been a respected presence in the Lancaster County legal community. He concluded his judicial career in January 2026 after serving for 26 years on the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas, where he presided over the Criminal Court, Civil Court, Drug Court and Discovery Motions Court. Judge Ashworth was elected by his fellow judges to serve as president judge of Lancaster County from 2020 through 2024, a role in which he managed court administration and oversight of the county’s 19 district judges, while continuing to hear cases.

At Barley Snyder, Judge Ashworth joins the firm’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Service Team, where he will concentrate on mediating complex civil disputes, including medical malpractice, product liability, personal injury, commercial matters, and construction cases. He is a National Judicial College–certified mediator, reflecting advanced training in dispute resolution and a demonstrated ability to guide parties through challenging negotiations efficiently and effectively.

“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to work with so many talented attorneys at Barley Snyder,” Judge Ashworth said. “I look forward to providing mediation services to those interested in resolving disputes without the need for protracted litigation. I hope to share the benefit of my experience with the next generation of young lawyers, helping to uphold the Lancaster Bar’s long tradition of outstanding legal service while serving clients throughout the region and beyond.”

Before taking the bench, Judge Ashworth built a successful litigation practice over more than 20 years as a trial attorney and founding partner of Wagman, Ashworth, Kreider and Wright in downtown Lancaster. He represented both plaintiffs and defendants in personal injury and product liability matters – experience that now informs his balanced, practical approach to evaluating risk, understanding litigation dynamics, and facilitating resolution as a mediator.

Judge Ashworth has also made lasting contributions beyond the courtroom. He spent 15 years as a senior adjunct professor at Franklin & Marshall College, where he taught a community-based learning course focused on the court system, treatment courts, and substance use disorder and addiction. His civic involvement includes service on numerous nonprofit boards, including a term as president of the Rotary Club of Lancaster, and ongoing service on the national board of All Rise, formerly known as the National Association of Drug Court Professionals.

Throughout his career, Judge Ashworth has been recognized for his leadership, service, and commitment to the justice system. His honors include the Lancaster Bar Association’s Judge Louise Gatling Herr Memorial Award for charitable and community service, and the inaugural 2024 Pennsylvania Association of Drug Court Professionals President’s Award, recognizing his lasting impact on treatment courts at both the state and national levels.

“Judge Ashworth’s career reflects the highest standards of public service and professional excellence,” said Jennifer Craighead Carey, managing partner of Barley Snyder. “His perspective as both a judge and a seasoned trial lawyer will be an extraordinary asset to our clients and to our attorneys across the firm.”

About Barley Snyder
Barley Snyder is a law firm based in Pennsylvania with more than 120 attorneys practicing from offices located in Lancaster, York, Reading, Harrisburg, Lebanon, Malvern, Hanover, Gettysburg and Schuylkill Haven, Pa., and Hunt Valley and Columbia, Md. The firm serves businesses, individuals and organizations in all major areas of civil law including business, employment, immigration, employee benefits, finance & creditors’ rights, intellectual property, litigation, estate planning and administration, real estate, tax, construction, environment and energy, health care, education, municipal authority, hospitality, senior living, cybersecurity and food and agribusiness. www.barley.com | @BarleySnyder