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Overview

A seasoned attorney who focuses on representing creditors in secured transactions, receiverships, bankruptcies, and workout proceedings.

Her client base includes lenders, leasing companies, trade creditors, trustees, and receivers. She is widely recognized for her solution-oriented approach to problem-solving, which has earned her high acclaim in the legal community.

Clients have consistently praised her skills, professionalism, and commitment to service, noting her ability to quickly analyze problems and provide decisive action. She is dedicated to providing exceptional service to her clients and is a trusted advisor for her clients who require sound advice and effective strategies.

Chambers USA singled her out as a standout legal practitioner and recognized her as a top-ranking attorney in Foster Garvey's Creditors' Rights & Bankruptcy practice. Clients have also lauded her skills and approach to client service, with comments such as:

"Deborah is very professional, well reasoned and one of our primary attorneys. She is very strong for her client service and general level of service, commercial awareness and vision and level of sophistication."

"Deborah consistently goes above and beyond to deliver high quality and timely assistance in matters. She is quickly able to turn requests around and is confident in her responses related to questions or strategy. She is often relied upon. She is a favorite attorney and is usually the first person recommended to work on matters for us. She is very strong for her client service and general level of service, commercial awareness and vision and level of sophistication."

Professional Activities

  • American Bankruptcy Institute, Trustee
    • Business Reorganization Committee, Former Co-Chair
    • Committee to the Commission Studying Changes to Chapter 11
    • Publications Committee
  • King County Bar Association, Member
  • Oregon Bar Association, Member
    • Debtor-Creditor Subsection
  • Washington State Bar Association, Member
    • Debtor-Creditor Subsection

Community Activities

  • Consumer Education and Training Services (CENTS), Former Board Member
  • Northwest Kidney Centers Foundation, Former Board Member
  • Swedish Medical Center Foundation
    • Former Board Member
    • Former Campaign Planning Committee Member

News & Insights

News

Publications

  • "Are Non-Debtor Releases/Permanent Injunctions Authorized Under the Bankruptcy Code?” American Bankruptcy Institute Journal
    American Bankruptcy Institute Journal, May 2003
  • "Dot Com Windups Using State Law,” National Business Institute (Monograph)
    National Business Institute (Monograph), 2001
  • "Should an Oversecured Creditor be Entitled to Post-Petition Interest at the Default Rate?” American Bankruptcy Institute Journal
    American Bankruptcy Institute Journal, March 1998
  • "To Be Inventory or Not To Be Inventory - That is the Question: Auto Dealerships Bankruptcies Create Confusing Landscape for Secured Creditors,” American Bankruptcy Institute Journal
    American Bankruptcy Institute Journal, 1997
  • "Dealing with Bankruptcy,” National Business Institute (Monograph)
    National Business Institute (Monograph), 1997

Admissions

  • Washington, 1992
  • Oregon, 2004
  • U.S. District Court, District of Oregon, 2005
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington, 1993
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington, 1992
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, 1996

Education

  • J.D., Seattle University School of Law (cum laude), 1992
    • Fredric Cutner Tausend Moot Court Competition, Semifinalist, 1991
    • Order of the Barristers, Member
  • M.S., University of Massachusetts, 1985
  • Honours Bachelor of Commerce, Laurentian University, 1982

Honors & Recognition

  • Chambers USA (Washington) Leading Individual, Bankruptcy/Restructuring Law, 2012-present
  • The Best Lawyers in America©
    • Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, 2011-present
    • Best Lawyers "Lawyer of the Year" in Washington - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights, 2021
  • Lawdragon 500, 500 Leading U.S. Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers, 2022 and 2020
  • Washington Super Lawyers list, 2003-2009, 2012-present
  • 2010 Top Lawyer, Seattle Metropolitan magazine
  • Rising Star, Washington Super Lawyers list, 2001
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Rating
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