Bio

Debra Steiner Friedman focuses her counseling and litigation practice on compliance with federal and state employment laws and regulations; corporate reorganizations; diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies; affirmative action issues; executive mobility; and employment aspects of corporate transactions. 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. Additionally, Debra reviews and drafts detailed commission and other incentive compensation plans for executives. 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), and a Senior Reviewer for the ABA's Employment Discrimination Law Treatise, National Origin and Citizenship Chapter (Seventh Edition). Debra is Chair of the Board of Directors for the Philadelphia Youth Network, a youth workforce development organization, and past 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.