Deborah represents management in the areas of employment discrimination and wrongful discharge.
Her practice is devoted not only to defending companies in litigation but also to developing litigation-prevention strategies through advice and counsel and in-house training programs. She is included in the Best Lawyers in America®, and Chambers USA® (2020) describes her as having a “great presence in front of a jury.”
While Deborah is an experienced and skilled litigator, she is equally adept at assisting in the peaceful exits of employees without litigation, including key employees. She is also an effective investigator of workplace disputes and often serves non-clients in this regard. Her guidance while grounded in law is always practical and geared to client needs.
Highlander v. KFC, 805 F.2d 644 (6th Cir. 1986)
Black v. Zaring Homes, 104 F.3d 822 (6th Cir. 1997)
Niswander v. The Cincinnati Insurance Company, 529 F.3d 714 (6th Cir. 2008)
Gambill, et al. v. Duke Energy Corporation, 2012 U.S. App. LEXIS 1563 (6th Cir.)
Lentz v. The Cincinnati Insurance Company, et al., 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 72354
Al-Khadra v. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Case No. A0909199 (Hamilton Co. June 9, 2011) (judgment entry on defense verdict following four-week trial)
Harvard Law School, J.D., 1982
Harvard University, M.A., 1979, Degree in Classics
University of Cincinnati, B.A., 1977
Phi Beta Kappa
Ohio, 1982
Kentucky, 1983
Chambers USA, Labor and Employment, 2008-2024
AV® Rated, Martindale-Hubbell®
The Best Lawyers in America®: Employment Law – Management, 2011-2025, “Lawyer of the Year,” 2012, 2015, 2025; Labor Law – Management, 2011-2025, “Lawyer of the Year,” 2025; Litigation – Labor & Employment, 2011-2025, “Lawyer of the Year,” 2014
Selected for inclusion in Ohio Super Lawyers®, 2004-2024 (Top 50 in Cincinnati, Top 100 in Ohio, Top 25 Women in Cincinnati, Top 50 Women in Ohio)
BTI Client Service All-Stars, BTI Consulting Group, 2012
Inclusion in National Corporate Counsel Super Lawyers®
College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, Fellow
Cincinnati Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
Ohio State Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
Ohio Management Lawyers Association
Advancement Committee, Chair
Executive Committee, former Member
Compensation Committee, former Member
Legal Personnel Committee, former Chair
Diversity and Inclusion Committee, former Co-Chair
Ohio State Bar Association, May 2021 – Investigations Made Easy
LEAP Conference, Las Vegas, 2021 – Harassment, Discrimination and Retaliation in 2021: New Risks in a New World
LEAP Conference, Las Vegas, 2020 – Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow But Lawsuit Is Tomorrow – Do’s and Don’ts of Termination and Beyond Harassment and Bullying to Actual Cultural Change
LEAP Conference, Las Vegas, 2019 – What is a “Reasonable Accommodation” Anyway?
LEAP Conference, Las Vegas, 2018 – HR in a #MeToo World
2019 Labor & Employment Law Seminar- West Chester
2019 Labor & Employment Law Seminar
August 22, 2024 | Experience
Frost Brown Todd (FBT) secured a significant legal victory on behalf of client Prysmian Cables &...
June 27, 2016 | Publications
Earlier this month, Ohio Governor John Kasich signed Ohio House Bill 523 (HB523), authorizing the us...
June 16, 2011 | Experience
Plaintiff Eman Al-Khadra, M.D. pursued to trial claims against her employer, Cincinnati Children’s...