Deborah Practices in the Firm's Litigation Management Group where she serves large national companies in multi-state employment law litigation. Deborah's experience includes the defense of a variety of employment disputes that include claims of discrimination under federal and state law as well as claims for retaliation, wrongful termination, defamation, violations the FMLA as well as wage and hour cases. Deborah is a graduate of the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination ("MCAD") certified program in conducting investigations into employment discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation claims.
Notable Experience
ˇ Deborah recently prevailed on summary judgment in a case in which a municipal employee claimed that his employer violated his First Amendment rights when the employer reviewed his emails sent by the employee over the Town's email system as part of criminal and sexual harassment investigations. The Court ruled that the employee had no reasonable expectation of privacy in his emails and ruled in favor of the municipal employer, dismissing the employees complaint.
ˇ Deborah has prevailed on summary judgments on behalf of employers in numerous cases, including cases involving claims of discrimination, harassment and retaliation.
ˇ She has successfully participated in the defense of school districts at trial against claims of sexual harassment including a claim of student on student sexual harassment which was won on appeal to the First Circuit Court of Appeals.
Before Edwards Wildman
Prior to joining the Firm, Deborah was a partner at a Massachusetts' firm were she focused on cases involving municipal liability, employment law, civil rights matters, land use and general liability. In her municipal practice, Deborah represented municipalities against whistleblower claims, discrimination claims, claims for the violation of the American with Disabilities Act as well as First Amendment and civil rights matters. Deborah regularly provided pre-litigation counseling to public and private employers on employment related matters.
Besides Edwards Wildman
Deborah enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and friends as well as participating in a variety of sports including running and yoga. Deborah ran her first Boston Marathon in 1999.