Overview
Litigation
Debbie has appeared in state and federal trial courts and before arbitral panels throughout the country and has handled multimillion-dollar disputes involving:- Breach of contract
- Breach of warranty
- Business torts
- Fiduciary issues
- ERISA matters
- Securities fraud
In ERISA matters, Debbie represents plan administrators and plan sponsors in putative class actions alleging imprudent investment of plan assets or wrongful denial of plan benefits, and in individual matters alleging wrongful termination of benefits.
White Collar Defense & Investigations
Debbie also leads investigations under the FCPA, environmental laws, immigration laws, securities laws, and other state and federal statutes. Through these investigations – conducted in both the U.S. and internationally, on behalf of public and private companies – Debbie provides risk assessments and advises on voluntary disclosure. When needed, Debbie provides voluntary disclosure to governmental agencies and represents clients before such agencies.
In addition, Debbie represents individuals and companies in criminal matters involving allegations of wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, securities fraud and money laundering, among others.
Related Legal Services
Related Industries
Credentials
Bar Admissions
Minnesota
Court Admissions
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida
Clerkships
U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, Hon. James M. Rosenbaum, 1995-1997
Education
University of Minnesota Law School
J.D. magna cum laude, Minnesota Law Review (editor-in-chief) (1995)
Boston University
B.S. magna cum laude (1990)
Insights & Events
Insights
News
Other Perspectives
- Six Months Later: What Does the DOJ's Yates Memo Mean for You?
Panelist, Faegre Baker Daniels and the Minnesota Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, Minneapolis, 2016 - Anatomy of a Rate Increase
Intercompany LTCI Conference, San Antonio, Texas, 2016 - Significant New Cases--Minnesota and Federal Civil Practice Cases From 2015
Minnesota State Bar Association, Minneapolis, 2016 - U.S. Supreme Court Update: Key Criminal Decisions From the Court's 2014 Term
Minnesota's 50th Annual Criminal Justice Institute, Minnesota State Bar Association, St. Paul, Minnesota CLE 2015 - How to Calculate and Prove Damages to Recover Attorney's Fees
Minnesota State Bar Association, Minneapolis, Minnesota CLE, 2015 - Remedies and Damages Series: Methodologies and Challenges in Calculating and Proving Damages
Minnesota State Bar Association, Minneapolis, Minnesota CLE, 2014 - Nondispositive Motions
Author, Chapter 14 in "Federal District of Minnesota Civil Practice Deskbook," Minnesota CLE, 2014 (1st edition) and 2017 (Update) - Calculating and Proving Damages in Commercial Litigation: Methodologies and Challenges
Author, Chapter 20 in "Business Disputes: Claims and Remedies Deskbook," Minnesota CLE, 2015
Leadership & Community
Civic Activities
- U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota — Magistrate Merit Selection Panel, 2016, 2008
Firm Leadership
- Leader, Litigation Practice Group, 2020-present
- Faegre Baker Daniels — Leader, Business Litigation Group, 2016-2020
- Faegre Baker Daniels — Women's Forum for Achievement, Leadership Council, 2015-2020
Honors
- Twin Cities Business — Notable Women in Law, 2023
- Minnesota Lawyer — The POWER 30: Business Litigation, 2022-23
- Chambers USA — Minnesota, Litigation: General Commercial, 2019-23
- American College of Trial Lawyers — Fellow
- Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal — Top Women in Business, 2017
- Minnesota Super Lawyers — Business Litigation, 2014-23; Rising Star, Business Litigation, 2008
- Minnesota Lawyer — Attorney of the Year, 2011
No aspect of these recognitions has been approved by the highest court of any state.