Debra Friedman

Debra Steiner Friedman focuses her counseling and litigation practice on compliance with federal and state employment laws and regulations, noncompetition disputes, business torts, corporate reorganizations, affirmative action issues, and defense of discrimination claims.

Debra provides legal and business solutions to a myriad of human resource issues. She also regularly drafts complex corporate policies and contracts for her clients and advises them on best practices. Debra advises federal contractors how to comply with the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) laws and regulations and defends federal contractors in OFCCP audits.

Debra works closely with corporate counsel on the employment aspects of due diligence for complex transactions. She also negotiates and drafts employment and separation agreements for executives and companies in connection with such transactions.

Debra has successfully represented and defended many clients in noncompete, business tort, and discrimination lawsuits. She regularly defends clients before federal and state fair employment practice agencies.

Debra also counsels clients on how to address requests for workplace accommodations and, for places of public accommodation, requests for modifications to services and programs. She defends clients on a variety of disability accommodation issues before civil rights agencies and in courts.

Debra has published numerous articles on a variety of employment topics and has been interviewed and quoted by many media outlets. She lectures human resource professionals and management personnel on workplace issues such as anti-harassment programs, employee evaluation and discipline issues, and leaves of absence. Debra also is a Chapter Editor for the ABA’s Family and Medical Leave Act treatise, Second Edition.

Debra is vice chair of the board of directors for the Philadelphia Youth Network, a youth workforce development organization, and secretary of the board of the directors for the Valley Forge Chapter of the National Charity League, Inc., a philanthropic organization committed to fostering mother-daughter relationships through community service, leadership development, and cultural experiences.

Debra earned her Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, at the University of Pennsylvania in 1989 and her law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1992.

EXPERIENCE :

• Regularly counsel clients on hiring, performance, discipline, termination, and other employment issues affecting the workplace with the goals of ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations and promoting best practices.
• Performed audit of recruiting and onboarding materials for health insurer, identifying legal risks, providing step-by-step compliance solutions, and streamlining the electronic and paperwork process.
• Successfully resolved complex discrimination charge with the EEOC on behalf of the operator of multiple nursing homes by negotiating creative, non-monetary settlement and helping the owner implement HR practices to reduce further legal risks.
• Negotiated with government agency to reduce citations for government contractor as the result of an audit and helped to improve the contractor’s relations with the agency going forward.
• Obtained dismissal, with prejudice, for entertainment company on a Motion to Dismiss the Amended Complaint of a former employee alleging negligent security and negligent hiring and retention claims.
• Obtained summary judgment for insurance company client on Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) failure to accommodate claim brought by the current employee.
• Won preliminary injunctive relief on behalf of a Pennsylvania-based client in the wellness industry that faced efforts by MGM Resorts International and Life Time Fitness, Inc. to develop a competing business in Las Vegas. This result was secured in federal court in Nevada and led to a favorable settlement.

EDUCATION :

• University of Pennsylvania Law School, J.D., 1992
• University of Pennsylvania, B.A., magna cum laude, 1989

BAR ADMISSIONS : New Jersey; New York; Pennsylvania

COURT ADMISSIONS :

• New York Court of Appeals
• Pennsylvania Supreme Court
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
• U.S. District Court — Eastern District of New York
• U.S. District Court — Middle District of Pennsylvania
• U.S. District Court — Northern District of New York
• U.S. District Court — Southern District of New York

AFFILIATIONS :

• American Bar Association
• New Jersey State Bar Association
• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• American Health Lawyers Association