Bio

Debo Adegbile, a partner in the Government and Regulatory Litigation Group, focuses his practice on a range of matters at the intersection of law, business and government policy. He has significant experience in commercial, government-facing and appellate litigation, as well as strategic counseling in high-stakes cases, anti-discrimination matters and investigations. His work includes leading civil rights or equity audits and workplace reviews for corporate clients. He advises top management and boards in the wake of high-profile allegations of specific misconduct, shareholder proposals or demands. Mr. Adegbile also advises clients in connection with congressional inquiries and testimony and has himself testified before congressional committees on multiple occasions. In addition, he recently completed a six-year term as a commissioner on the US Commission on Civil Rights, following appointment by President Obama in 2016. His broad legal experience draws upon years of practice in the law firm, government and not-for-profit sectors, including senior roles with the Senate Judiciary Committee and in the leadership of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF), Inc. Mr. Adegbile's recent representations include municipalities and local government agencies involved in US Department of Justice (DOJ) investigations and/or False Claims Act litigation; leading healthcare, social media, and financial institutions responding to anti-discrimination investigations or algorithmic bias inquiries; investment advisors assessing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies; leading corporations and nonprofits in connection with racial equity audits or reviews; educational institutions in connection with investigations, strategic advice and federal and state litigation, including the successful defense of Harvard University’s admissions policies and practices; a major cultural organization in an internal investigation; and financial institutions and trade associations in connection with federal fair lending compliance and/or investigations. He has also advised a number of clients in connection with Consumer Financial Protection Bureau enforcement matters. Mr. Adegbile also has substantial experience representing municipalities and law enforcement entities in connection with DOJ policing “pattern or practice” investigations or police reform efforts. In 2020, Mr. Adegbile was appointed by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals as amicus curiae to brief and argue an en banc Fair Housing Act appeal regarding an issue of first impression. Mr. Adegbile is a frequent speaker on Supreme Court and anti-discrimination law topics.