Debra Katz

Katz was raised in Woodmere, New York as a Reform Jew.{{cite news |last1=Dolstein |first1=Josefin |title=How Debra Katz became one of America's top #MeToo lawyers |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/how-debra-katz-became-one-of-americas-top-metoo-lawyers |access-date=18 April 2020 |agency=The Times of Israel |date=May 26, 2019}}{{Cite web|last=Mullins |first= Luke |author-link =|title= Meet DC's Leading #MeToo Lawyer - Attorney Debra Katz is a key advocate in the fight against sexual harassment. |publisher=Washingtonian|date=June 14, 2018 |url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2018/06/14/meet-debra-katz-dc-leading-metoo-lawyer/ }} and graduated from George W. Hewlett High School. In 1980, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree (summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa) from Union College and in 1984, a J.D. cum laude from the University of Wisconsin Law School where she was a member of the Wisconsin Law Review and as Articles Editor of the Wisconsin Women's Law Journal. She ultimately left the Wisconsin Law Review and founded the Wisconsin Women's Law Journal because she believed the former lacked racial diversity.{{cite web |title=Debra Katz: Ahead of Her Time |url=https://momentmag.com/debra-katz-ahead-of-her-time/ |website=Moment Magazine |access-date=26 February 2022 |date=11 June 2020}}

In her first year of law school, she began to glimpse how sexism played a role in the legal profession when she noticed that her class discussions were predominately led by men.{{Cite web|last=Wexler|first=Ellen|title=Debra Katz: Ahead of Her Time|url=https://momentmag.com/debra-katz-ahead-of-her-time/|website=Moment Magazine|date=11 June 2020|language=en}} Upon confronting one of her professors about this issue, he immediately denied it and then later apologized to the class after noticing the behavior to be true.

After law school, Katz clerked for Judge William A. Bablitch on the Wisconsin Supreme Court and held a Women's Law and Public Policy Fellowship at Georgetown University Law Center.

Alongside Lisa Banks,{{cite news |title=Attorneys for former Washington National Football League employees demand league investigate on its own |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/08/27/attorneys-former-washington-nfl-employees-demand-league-investigate-its-own/ |access-date=26 October 2021 |newspaper=Washington Post}} Katz represents 40 former employees of the Washington Commanders.{{cite magazine |title=Former WFT Employees Want Investigation Findings Released |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/10/12/former-washington-football-team-employees-want-investigation-findings-released |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=26 October 2021 |language=en-us}} The clients accused the organization of fostering a toxic and abusive work environment for years, in which women were frequently subjected to sexual harassment.{{cite news |title=Lewd cheerleader videos, sexist rules: Ex-employees decry Washington's NFL team workplace |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/08/26/redskins-cheerleaders-video-daniel-snyder-washington/ |access-date=26 October 2021 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en}} After these allegations were reported on by the Washington Post, the team hired an outside law firm to conduct an independent investigation, which was later taken over by the NFL.{{cite magazine |title=NFL Takes Over Washington Football Team Probe |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2020/09/01/nfl-takes-over-washington-football-team-investigation-sexual-harrassment |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=26 October 2021 |language=en-us}} The team was fined $10 million after the investigation was completed, but the full results have not been made public.{{cite web |title=NFL has no plans to release more details from Washington Football Team investigation |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/13/sport/nfl-washington-football-team-investigation-spt-intl/index.html |website=CNN |date=13 October 2021 |access-date=26 October 2021}} Katz and Banks have been vocal critics of the NFL and its Commissioner Roger Goodell for their refusal to release the investigative report.{{cite web |title=Lisa Banks, Debra Katz: Roger Goodell's claim regarding difficulty of making WFT findings public is "false" |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/10/28/lisa-banks-debra-katz-roger-goodells-claim-regarding-difficulty-of-making-wft-findings-public-is-false/ |website=ProFootballTalk |access-date=26 February 2022 |date=28 October 2021}} In April 2023, these allegations, and the subsequent investigation, ultimately led to the sale of the team.{{Cite news |last=Belson |first=Ken |last2=Rosman |first2=Katherine |date=2023-04-13 |title=Dan Snyder Agrees to Sell Washington Commanders for $6 Billion |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/13/sports/football/washington-commanders-sale-dan-snyder.html |access-date=2024-02-21 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

Katz represents Charlotte Bennett, an aide to former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo who accused him of sexually harassing her in June 2020.{{cite web |last1=Ferré-Sadurní |first1=Luis |last2=Rashbaum |first2=William K. |date=28 July 2021 |title=Cuomo's Counsel, a Key Figure in Sexual Harassment Inquiry, Will Resign |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/28/nyregion/cuomo-judith-mogul-resignation.html |website=The New York Times}} Ms. Bennett originally reported her allegations to Jill DesRosiers and Judith Mogul, Cuomo's chief of staff and special counsel. They did not forward her complaint to the Governor's Office of Employee Relations, which would have launched an independent investigation into the allegations.

After a five-month long investigation, the New York Attorney General Letitia James released a report finding that Governor Cuomo engaged in sexual harassment against at least 11 women in his circle, including Ms. Bennett, and retaliated against those who came forward.{{cite web |date=3 August 2021 |title=Independent Investigators Find Governor Cuomo Sexually Harassed Multiple Women, Violated State and Federal Laws |url=https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2021/independent-investigators-find-governor-cuomo-sexually-harassed-multiple-women |access-date=2 September 2021 |website=Attorney General of New York |language=en}} One week after the results of the investigation were released, Governor Cuomo announced his resignation.{{cite web |date=10 August 2021 |title=Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigns over sexual harassment allegations |url=https://apnews.com/article/andrew-cuomo-resigns-17161f546bb83c32a337036ecf8d2a34 |access-date=2 September 2021 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}} In 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice announced a settlement with the State of New York Executive Chamber to resolve federal claims Cuomo engaged in a pattern or practice of sexual harassment and retaliation.{{Cite web |date=2024-01-26 |title=Office of Public Affairs {{!}} Justice Department Secures Settlement Agreement with State of New York Executive Chamber to Resolve Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Claims Under Title VII {{!}} United States Department of Justice |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-secures-settlement-agreement-state-new-york-executive-chamber-resolve |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=www.justice.gov |language=en}}

Debra Katz represents Dr. Julian Craig, the former Chief Medical Officer of United Medical Center in Southeast Washington. In November 2017, Dr. Craig testified at a D.C. Council hearing regarding unsafe and fraudulent practices being implemented by Veritas of Washington, a consulting firm contracted to manage the hospital. Following his testimony, Dr. Craig was terminated by the D.C. Council.{{cite news |title=D.C. public hospital's former top doctor files whistleblower lawsuit |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/dc-public-hospitals-former-top-doctor-files-whistleblower-lawsuit/2018/02/15/24c14c4a-1264-11e8-9065-e55346f6de81_story.html |access-date=26 October 2021 |newspaper=Washington Post}}

Debra Katz and Alexis Ronickher represented Janet Herold, a senior attorney at the U.S. Department of Labor who filed a whistleblower complaint against then-Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia.{{cite web |last1=Dave |first1=Simpson |title=DOL Atty Fired After Claiming Trump Tie Quashed Oracle Suit - Law360 |url=https://www.law360.com/articles/1343718/dol-atty-fired-after-claiming-trump-tie-quashed-oracle-suit |website=www.law360.com |publisher=Portfolio Media, Inc. |access-date=10 May 2023 |language=en}} According to Ms. Herold's complaint, Scalia abused his power as secretary and intervened in settlement discussions involving a company with ties to the Trump administration. When she objected to his actions, she was reassigned to a non-legal position in Chicago.{{cite news |last1=Scheiber |first1=Noam |last2=McCabe |first2=David |last3=Haberman |first3=Maggie |title=Trump's Labor Chief Accused of Intervening in Oracle Pay Bias Case |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/13/business/economy/oracle-settlement-scalia.html |access-date=26 October 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=13 August 2020}} After filing an official whistleblower complaint, she was terminated, though she was later reinstated.{{cite news |title=Litigator Who Sued Oracle Exits DOL for Second Time This Year |url=https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/litigator-who-sued-oracle-exits-dol-for-second-time-this-year |access-date=26 October 2021 |work=news.bloomberglaw.com |language=en}}

Debra Katz and Alexis Ronickher represented a former aide to Congressman Patrick Meehan who accused the Pennsylvania representative of sexual harassment.{{cite web |last1=Schor |first1=Elana |title=Rep. Meehan denies harassing former aide amid settlement, loses House ethics seat |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/20/pat-meehan-denies-harassment-aide-misconduct-claim-congress-353583 |website=POLITICO |date=20 January 2018 |access-date=10 May 2023 |language=en}} Meehan and the aide reached a confidential settlement using taxpayer money, which became public in January 2018.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/20/us/politics/patrick-meehan-sexual-harassment.html|title=Congressman Combating Harassment Settled His Own Misconduct Case|last1=Rogers|first1=Katie|date=2018-01-20|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-03-06|last2=Vogel|first2=Kenneth P.|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}} A few months later, Meehan resigned from Congress before the House Ethics Committee could complete its full investigation.{{cite news |last1=Tamari |first1=Jonathan |title=Rep. Pat Meehan resigns, will pay back $39,000 used for harassment settlement |url=https://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/pat-meehan-pa-resigns-will-pay-back-sexual-harassment-settlement-20180427.html |access-date=30 April 2019 |publisher=Philadelphia Inquirer |date=April 27, 2018}}

Katz represented a former staffer of Congressman Eric Massa in his sexual harassment complaint against Massa.{{Cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/13/AR2010041302257.html|title=Staffers' accounts paint more detailed, troubling picture of Massa's office|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=2019-03-06|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286}} Stories published in NBC,{{Cite web|url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/politics/Allegations-Against-Massa-Worse-than-Previously-Known--90759639.html|title=Allegations Against Massa Worse than Previously Known: Report|last=Cavaliere|first=Victoria|website=NBC New York|date=13 April 2010 |language=en|access-date=2019-03-06}} Politico{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/stories/0410/35890.html|title=For abused aides, few good options|last1=Allen|first1=Jonathan|last2=Lovley|first2=Erika|website=POLITICO|date=16 April 2010 |language=en|access-date=2019-03-06}} and the Washington Post{{Cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/21/AR2010042103814.html|title=Payments by former congressman Massa investigated|last=Leonnig|first=Carol|date=2010-04-22|newspaper=Washington Post}} detailed the egregious sexual harassment suffered by many of Massa's staffers, and the power structure put in place to facilitate such behavior. Massa resigned in March 2010, during a pending House Ethics Committee investigation.{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/34001.html|title=Rep. Eric Massa to resign|last1=Thrush|first1=Glenn|last2=Bresnahan|first2=John|website=POLITICO|date=5 March 2010 |language=en|access-date=2019-03-06}} In November 2017, it was reported that a number of Massa's former staffers were paid nearly $100,000 of taxpayer funds in settlements.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/congress-settled-harassment-claims-disgraced-n-y-pol-article-1.3668981|title=Congress reportedly paid nearly $100,000 to settle sexual harassment claims against disgraced N.Y. congressman|last=Sommerfeldt|first=Chris|website=nydailynews.com|date=30 November 2017 |access-date=2019-03-06}}

Katz is representing Irwin Reiter, a longtime Weinstein Company executive, who reportedly objected to Harvey Weinstein's alleged sexual harassment of a front desk assistant {{cite web |title=Veteran DC Whistleblower Lawyer Says She Reps 'Good Guy' in Weinstein Scandal {{!}} National Law Journal |url=https://www.law.com/nationallawjournal/2017/10/12/veteran-dc-whistleblower-lawyer-says-she-reps-good-guy-in-weinstein-scandal/ |website=National Law Journal |publisher=ALM Media Properties |date=12 October 2017 |access-date=16 June 2018}} and Weinstein's sexually predatory behavior. Reiter was instrumental in providing New York Times reporters Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey with information about Weinstein's misconduct that proved critical to their reporting.{{cite web |title=In new book, Times reporters detail Weinstein investigation |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/book-times-reporters-detail-weinstein-investigation-65498530 |website=ABC News |access-date=26 February 2022 |language=en}} Reiter has been identified by Kantor and Twohey, who won the Pulitzer Prize for their reporting,{{cite web |title=The New York Times, for reporting led by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, and The New Yorker, for reporting by Ronan Farrow |url=https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/new-york-times-reporting-led-jodi-kantor-and-megan-twohey-and-new-yorker-reporting-ronan |website=www.pulitzer.org |access-date=26 February 2022 |language=en}} as the key whistleblower.

Debra Katz represented Dawn Dunning, who testified against Harvey Weinstein during his criminal trial in February 2020.{{Cite web|title=How Long Will Harvey Weinstein's Prison Sentence Be? His Lawyer Isn't Optimistic|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/how-long-will-harvey-weinsteins-prison-sentence-be-his-lawyer-isnt-optimistic-1283183|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=10 March 2020|language=en|access-date=2020-05-12}}

Dunning, a former aspiring actress, testified that after she met Weinstein in the early 2000s, they formed a relationship she believed would help her career. However, during business meetings, Weinstein propositioned Dunning for sex and sexually assaulted her.{{Cite news|last1=Kantor|first1=Jodi|last2=Abrams|first2=Rachel|date=2017-10-10|title=Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie and Others Say Weinstein Harassed Them|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/10/us/gwyneth-paltrow-angelina-jolie-harvey-weinstein.html|access-date=2020-05-12|issn=0362-4331}}

Weinstein was not criminally charged in connection with Dunning's allegations – but the prosecution used her testimony to show a pattern of behavior.{{Cite news|last=Ransom|first=Jan|date=2020-01-29|title=Weinstein Accuser Says He Told Her, 'This Is How the Industry Works'|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/29/nyregion/harvey-weinstein-trial-tarale-wulff.html|access-date=2020-05-12|issn=0362-4331}}

In March 2020, Weinstein was found guilty of criminal sexual assault in the first degree and rape in the third degree.{{Cite web|title=Harvey Weinstein Found Guilty Of Rape, Sexual Abuse In Mixed Verdict|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/02/24/805258433/harvey-weinstein-found-guilty-of-rape-but-acquitted-of-most-sexual-assault-charg|website=NPR.org|date=24 February 2020 |language=en|access-date=2020-05-12|last1=Dwyer |first1=Colin |last2=Romo |first2=Vanessa }}

Debra Katz represents Patricia Wulf, the first woman to come forward publicly with information detailing the sexual harassment allegations against opera star Plácido Domingo,{{Cite web|title=AP: Women accuse opera legend Domingo of sexual harassment|url=https://apnews.com/c2d51d690d004992b8cfba3bad827ae9|date=2019-08-13|website=AP NEWS|access-date=2020-05-12}} and Angela Turner Wilson, another professional singer with similar claims regarding Domingo.{{Cite web|title=Domingo's accusers: Nothing 'chivalrous' about groping women|url=https://apnews.com/6bfab514f79442d991e43fbf3444e782|last=Gecker|first=Jocelyn|date=2019-12-03|website=Associated Press|access-date=}} In interviews with the Associated Press and National Public Radio,{{Cite web|title=Plácido Domingo Accuser Patricia Wulf Shares Her Story|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/08/15/751465705/pl-cido-domingo-accuser-patricia-wulf-shares-her-story|website=NPR.org|language=en|access-date=2020-05-12}} Ms. Wulf detailed Domingo's repeated unwelcome sexual advances and propositions that created a sexually hostile work environment for women.

Wulf and Wilson's accusations ultimately led to Domingo withdrawing from his Metropolitan Opera performances{{Cite news|last=Cooper|first=Michael|date=2019-09-24|title=Plácido Domingo Leaves Met Opera Amid Sexual Harassment Inquiry|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/24/arts/music/placido-domingo-met-opera-harassment.html|access-date=2020-05-12|issn=0362-4331}} and submitting his resignation as the director of the Los Angeles Opera.{{Cite web|title=Plácido Domingo resigns from L.A. Opera 'with a heavy heart' amid harassment inquiry|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2019-10-02/placido-domingo-resigns-from-la-opera-harassment-allegations|date=2019-10-02|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-12}} Domingo has either withdrawn from or been removed from all scheduled performances with U.S. opera companies, and several in Europe.{{Cite web|title=Placido Domingo withdraws from upcoming shows at Spanish opera house|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/domingo-spain-cancels-1.5477872|last=Parra|first=Aritz|date=2020-02-27|website=CBC|access-date=}}

In February 2020, it was reported that the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) reached a deal in which it would limit the union's comments about the investigation into Domingo, and Domingo would pay the union $500,000. The deal fell apart after details were made public by the Associated Press. Domingo has since withdrawn from AGMA.{{Cite news|last=Cooper|first=Michael|date=2020-02-25|title=Disclosure of Plácido Domingo Allegations Scuttles $500,000 Deal|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/25/arts/music/placido-domingo-sexual-misconduct.html|access-date=2020-05-12|issn=0362-4331}}

Debra Katz and Lisa Banks represent Dr. Rick Bright, a federal scientist who served as director of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority until his removal in April 2020.{{cite web |last1=Diamond |first1=Dan |title=HHS whistleblower Rick Bright resigns from government |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/06/hhs-whistleblower-rick-bright-resigns-426895 |website=POLITICO |date=6 October 2020 |access-date=10 May 2023 |language=en}}

Dr. Bright alleged that he was retaliated against{{Cite news|title=Ousted vaccine official alleges he was demoted for prioritizing 'science and safety'|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/05/05/rick-bright-hydroxychloroquine-whistleblower-complaint/|last1=Abutaleb|first1=Yasmeen|last2=McGinley|first2=Laurie|date=|newspaper=Washington Post|language=en|access-date=2020-05-12}} after raising concerns about the federal government's lack of medical protective equipment, and its apparent unwillingness to take urgent action to adequately prepare for and respond to the coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, Dr. Bright objected to the Trump administration's “reckless and chaotic” response to the pandemic,{{cite web |title=Top health official resigns over Trump's 'chaotic and reckless' Covid response |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/rick-bright-resigns-coronavirus-trump-whistleblower-hydroxychloroquine-b866281.html |website=The Independent |access-date=26 February 2022 |language=en |date=7 October 2020}} and the administration's promotion of potentially dangerous drugs – specifically, the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine – through approval processes,{{Cite web|title=Ex-BARDA chief decries science taking back seat to politics, demands investigation into Trump administration|url=https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/ex-barda-chief-decries-science-taking-back-seat-to-politics-cronyism-covid-19-research|website=FierceBiotech|date=23 April 2020 |language=en|access-date=2020-05-12}} despite pressure from his superiors who Dr. Bright believed were acting on political motivations, rather than scientific merit.{{Cite web|title=Ousted vaccine director files whistleblower complaint alleging coronavirus warnings were ignored|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/05/politics/rick-bright-complaint/index.html|author1=Kaitlan Collins |author2=Jeremy Diamond |author3=Kevin Liptak|website=CNN|date=5 May 2020 |access-date=2020-05-12}}

Following his termination from the Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. Bright accepted a position with the Rockefeller Foundation as Senior Vice President of Pandemic Prevention and Response. In August 2021, it was announced that Dr. Bright had reached a settlement with the government for an undisclosed amount.{{cite web |last1=Stolberg |first1=Sheryl Gay |title=A U.S. scientist settled his federal whistle-blowing complaint over Covid treatments. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/09/us/politics/rick-bright-whistleblower.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=26 August 2021 |date=9 August 2021}}

Katz represented Chloe Caras, a former director of operations for Isabella Eatery in her sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit against celebrity chef Mike Isabella, Mike Isabella Concepts, and four of his business partners.{{cite news |last1=Paquette |first1=Danielle |title=Lawsuit accuses celebrity chef Mike Isabella of 'extraordinary' sexual harassment |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/celebrity-chef-mike-isabella-is-sued-for-extraordinary-sexual-harassment/2018/03/19/4cc47bf4-27a4-11e8-b79d-f3d931db7f68_story.html?noredirect=on |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=16 June 2018 |date=19 March 2018}} The lawsuit was settled in May 2018. The financial terms of the settlement remain confidential, but included is a binding agreement requiring the restaurant company to implement harassment training and stronger policies to prevent future sexual harassment.{{cite news |last1=Judkis |first1=Maura |last2=Carman |first2=Tim |title=Mike Isabella settles federal lawsuit with employee who alleged sexual harassment |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/food/wp/2018/05/07/mike-isabella-settles-federal-lawsuit-with-employee-who-alleged-sexual-harassment/ |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=16 June 2018 |date=7 May 2018}}

Debra Katz and Lisa Banks represented Christine Blasey Ford,{{cite web |title=Lawyer For Christine Blasey Ford Talks Impact Of Her Client's Testimony |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/10/06/655246457/lawyer-for-christine-blasey-ford-talks-impact-of-her-clients-testimony |website=NPR |access-date=10 May 2023}} professor at Palo Alto University, who in September 2018 alleged that U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her in the early 1980s, when they were both teenagers.{{cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/brett-kavanaugh-accused-sexual-misconduct-1120385|title=Brett Kavanaugh has been accused of sexual misconduct with a woman in a letter that's been passed to the FBI: Report|date=13 September 2018|publisher=Newsweek}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/california-professor-writer-of-confidential-brett-kavanaugh-letter-speaks-out-about-her-allegation-of-sexual-assault/2018/09/16/46982194-b846-11e8-94eb-3bd52dfe917b_story.html|title=California professor, writer of confidential Brett Kavanaugh letter, speaks out about her allegation of sexual assault|last=Brown|first=Emma|date=September 16, 2018|newspaper=The Washington Post|language=en|access-date=2018-09-17}} Dr. Ford later testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee.{{cite web |url=https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/09-27-18%20Ford%20Testimony.pdf}}

Katz represented Vanessa C. Tyson, associate professor at Scripps College, who in 2019 alleged that Justin Fairfax sexually assaulted her in 2004.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/for-vanessa-tyson-speaking-out-on-sexual-assault-began-long-before-she-accused-fairfax/2019/02/08/ce8b721a-2b26-11e9-b011-d8500644dc98_story.html|title=For Vanessa Tyson, speaking out on sexual assault began long before she accused Fairfax|last=Schmidt|first=Samantha|date=February 8, 2019|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=2019-02-12}}

Katz represents Michelle Manning Barish, who accused former New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman of physical and emotional abuse while they were engaged in a romantic relationship.{{cite web |title=Former NY attorney general won't face abuse charges |url=https://www.columbiadailyherald.com/story/news/2018/11/08/former-ny-attorney-general-won/8879885007/ |website=The Daily Herald |access-date=26 February 2022}}

Ms. Barish came forward in an article by The New Yorker, in which she described Schniederman's pattern of committing physical abuse with a sexual partner, including choking and slapping, as well as engaging in threats and emotional abuse.{{cite magazine |title=Four Women Accuse New York's Attorney General of Physical Abuse |url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/four-women-accuse-new-yorks-attorney-general-of-physical-abuse |magazine=The New Yorker |access-date=26 February 2022 |date=7 May 2018}} Soon after the article was published, Schneiderman resigned from his position as Attorney General of New York.{{cite web |last1=Hakim |first1=Danny |last2=Wang |first2=Vivian |title=Eric Schneiderman Resigns as New York Attorney General Amid Assault Claims by 4 Women |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/07/nyregion/new-york-attorney-general-eric-schneiderman-abuse.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=26 February 2022 |date=7 May 2018}} He later admitted to abusing Ms. Barish and lost his license to practice law for a year.{{cite web |author=Sonia Moghe |title=Former New York AG Eric Schneiderman's law license has been suspended for a year over allegations of abuse |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/28/politics/former-ny-ag-eric-schneiderman-law-license-suspended/index.html |website=CNN |date=28 April 2021 |access-date=26 February 2022}}

Debra Katz, Carolyn Wheeler and Joseph Abboud represented members of a student feminist group at the University of Mary Washington who were subjected to online harassment and threats.{{cite news |title=Court reinstates sex harassment suit against Virginia school |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/court-reinstates-sex-harassment-suit-against-virginia-school/2018/12/19/142725ae-03e4-11e9-958c-0a601226ff6b_story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220052552/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/court-reinstates-sex-harassment-suit-against-virginia-school/2018/12/19/142725ae-03e4-11e9-958c-0a601226ff6b_story.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 December 2018 |access-date=27 December 2018 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en}} In December 2018, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that university officials had an obligation to proactively protect the students against online sexual harassment, and that such action would not infringe any student's free speech rights. This ruling represents the first time that students have a constitutional right to a school environment free from student-on-student sexual harassment.{{cite web |title=Feminist Majority Foundation v. Hurley, No. 17-2220 (4th Cir. 2018) |url=https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca4/17-2220/17-2220-2018-12-19.html |website=Justia Law |publisher=Justia |access-date=27 December 2018 |language=en}}

Katz and Lisa Banks brought a Title IX claim on behalf of a graduate student at the University of Colorado alleging retaliation. Katz, Marshall & Banks alleged that CU-Boulder violated Title IX by exposing the student to a sexually hostile academic environment and to retaliation by a tenured professor in the department after her Title IX claims were validated by the university's Office of Discrimination and Harassment. The case settled for $850,000 plus various non-monetary provisions, including a public statement from the University Chancellor stating that settling the claims was "the right thing to do."{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailycamera.com/cu-news/ci_26294506/cu-firing-professor-david-barnett|title=CU-Boulder moves to fire professor accused of retaliating against sexual assault victim|date=7 August 2014|language=en|access-date=2018-01-12}}

In July 2011, ArmorGroup North America and its affiliates paid $7.5 million to resolve allegations that AGNA submitted false claims for payment on a State Department contract to provide armed guard services at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. The settlement resolves U.S. claims that in 2007 and 2008, AGNA guards violated the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) by visiting brothels in Kabul, and that AGNA's management knew about the guards’ activities. The settlement resolves a whistleblower suit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia under seal by James Gordon against AGNA, ArmorGroup International plc, G4S plc and Wackenhut Services Inc. under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act.{{cite web|title=Armor Group North America and Its Affiliates Pay $7.5 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations|url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/armor-group-north-america-and-its-affiliates-pay-75-million-resolve-false-claims-act|publisher=US Department of Justice|access-date=January 13, 2018|language=en|date=July 7, 2011}} {{PD-notice}}

A jury in the District Court for the District of Columbia awarded Ronnie Barrett $300,000 in compensatory damages and $2 million in punitive damages in her sexual harassment and retaliation suit against Andre Chreky and the Andre Chreky Salon, one of the top-rated salons in Washington, D.C. Mr. Chreky was the hairdresser to former First Lady Laura Bush. Barrett was a former hair colorist at the salon.{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/16/AR2010081604790.html|title=D.C. hairstylist Andre Chreky settles harassment lawsuit for $7 million|website=washingtonpost.com|language=en|access-date=2018-01-12}}

In a whistleblower case brought under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Katz successfully defeated a motion for a protective order filed by the defendant to prevent the plaintiff from deposing Biogen Idec's CEO, James Mullen. Mr. Blanton alleged that the Boston-based pharmaceutical fired its chief reimbursement expert in retaliation for complaints about illegal kickbacks to physicians.

The Securities and Exchange Commission confirmed allegations made by Roger Barnes, a former Fannie Mae accounting manager, that the mortgage-finance institution illegally altered its accounting information and retaliated against him for complaining about it. The SEC further concluded that Fannie Mae manipulated its earnings through cookie jar accounting and ordered Fannie Mae to restate its earnings. As a result of Mr. Barnes' disclosures, Fannie Mae's management team, including Fannie Mae's CEO and other top executives, were removed from their positions. Ultimately, Fannie Mae's restatement of earnings was one of the largest in U.S. history. Additionally, Barnes received a sizable settlement.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/07/business/a-whistleblower-is-kept-in-the-wings-at-the-hearing.html|title=A Whistle-Blower Is Kept in the Wings at the Hearing|last=Dash|first=Eric|date=2004-10-07|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-01-12|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}

Jury verdict of $250,000 in compensatory damages and $1 million in punitive damages for claims of sex discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation.{{Cite web|url=https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2452260/estes-v-georgetown-university/|title=Estes v. Georgetown University, 231 F. Supp. 2d 279 – CourtListener.com|website=CourtListener|language=en|access-date=2018-01-12}}

Katz is representing women who allege NPR former news executive Michael Oreskes is guilty of sexual harassment.{{cite news|last1=Raphelson|first1=Samantha|title=Legal Landscape Shifts As More Sexual Harassment Allegations Surface Online|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/11/15/564393698/legal-landscape-shifts-as-more-sexual-harassment-allegations-surface-online|access-date=11 January 2018|publisher=Here & Now|date=November 15, 2017}} She is counsel to Irwin Reiter in the Harvey Weinstein scandal.{{cite news|last1=Barber|first1=C. Ryan|title=Veteran DC Whistleblower Lawyer Says She Reps 'Good Guy' in Weinstein Scandal|access-date=11 January 2018|publisher=National Law Journal|date=October 12, 2017|url=https://www.law.com/nationallawjournal/sites/nationallawjournal/2017/10/12/veteran-dc-whistleblower-lawyer-says-she-reps-good-guy-in-weinstein-scandal/?slreturn=20180013161959}}

Katz is vice chair of the board of directors of the Project On Government Oversight.{{Cite web|url=http://www.pogo.org/about/board-staff/board-of-directors.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/|title=POGO's Board of Directors|website=Project On Government Oversight|access-date=2018-01-12}} She has contributed articles to Ms. Magazine.{{Cite web|url=http://msmagazine.com/blog/author/dkatz/|title=Debra Katz, Author at Ms. Magazine Blog|website=Ms. Magazine Blog|language=en-US|access-date=2018-01-12}} Katz is also on the board of directors of Americans for Peace Now.{{cite web |title=Press Release: APN Announces Six New Board Members |url=https://peacenow.org/entry.php?id=38849#.YhasWujMIdU |website=peacenow.org |access-date=26 February 2022}}

In 2024, Katz was added to Lawdragon’s Hall of Fame,{{cite web |title=Lawdragon Announces Its 2024 Hall of Fame Inductees |url=https://www.lawdragon.com/guides/2024-01-05-lawdragon-announces-2024-hall-of-fame-inductees |website=Lawdragon |publisher=Lawdragon Inc. |access-date=21 February 2024 |language=en |date=5 January 2024}} a list recognizing prominent lawyers previously named on Lawdragon's 500 Leading Lawyers in America list.{{cite web |title=The 2022 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Employment & Civil Rights Lawyers |url=https://www.lawdragon.com/guides/2022-06-16-the-2022-lawdragon-500-leading-plaintiff-employment-civil-rights-lawyers |website=Lawdragon |publisher=Lawdragon Inc. |access-date=10 March 2023 |language=en |date=16 June 2022}} In 2023, Katz also recognized as a trailblazer in Labor and Employment Law by the D.C. Bar,{{cite web |title=DC Bar - D.C. Bar Communities Announce Inaugural Trailblazer Award Recipients |url=https://www.dcbar.org/news-events/news/d-c-bar-communities-announce-inaugural-trailblazer |website=www.dcbar.org |publisher=DC Bar Association |access-date=10 March 2023 |language=en}} an honor bestowed to only six members of the D.C. Bar. She has also been included annually in Washingtonian Magazine’s list of Top Lawyers since 2004,{{cite web |title=Washington, DC's Top Lawyers - Washingtonian |url=https://www.washingtonian.com/best/lawyers/search/speciality/Employment%20Plaintiffs/ |website=Washingtonian |publisher=Washingtonian Media Inc. |access-date=10 March 2023 |date=28 December 2017}} and is recognized in its Top Lawyers Hall of Fame list.{{cite web |title=Top Lawyers Hall of Fame - Washingtonian |url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2022/09/16/top-lawyers-hall-of-fame/ |website=Washingtonian |publisher=Washingtonian Media Inc. |access-date=10 March 2023 |date=16 September 2022}}

In 2019, 2021, and 2023, Katz was named to the Washingtonian Magazine's list of "The Most Powerful Women in Washington, D.C."{{cite web |title=Washington's Most Powerful Women |url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2019/10/01/most-powerful-women-in-washington/ |website=Washingtonian |access-date=26 October 2021 |date=1 October 2019}}

Katz is a Fellow at The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, a Member of the International Women's Forum, and a Fellow of the American Bar Association. Katz was named the “Civil Rights Lawyer of the Year” for Washington by The Best Lawyers In America for 2018,{{cite web |title=Debra S. Katz - Washington, DC - Lawyer {{!}} Best Lawyers |url=https://www.bestlawyers.com/lawyers/debra-s-katz/44634 |website=bestlawyers.com |publisher=Best Lawyers}} a pioneering #MeToo attorney by the Washington Post{{cite news |title=Christine Blasey Ford's lawyer Debra Katz: The feared attorney of the #MeToo moment |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/09/24/meet-christine-blasey-fords-lawyer-debra-katz-nerves-of-steel-and-proud-to-be-among-the-top-10-plantiffs-attorneys-to-fear-most/ |newspaper=Washington Post |date=September 24, 2018 |language=en}} and Washingtonian Magazine,{{cite news |title=Meet Debra Katz, DC's Leading #MeToo Lawyer |url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2018/06/14/meet-debra-katz-dc-leading-metoo-lawyer/ |work=Washingtonian |publisher=Washingtonian Media Inc. |date=14 June 2018}} and was listed as one of Forward's 50 American Jews who have had a profound impact in 2018.{{cite web |title=Fierce Defender In The Face Of #MeToo |url=https://forward.com/series/forward-50/2018/debra-katz/ |website=The Forward |date=3 December 2018 |publisher=The Forward Association, Inc. |access-date=27 December 2018}}

Katz was honored as a 2018 Lawyer of the Year by the Metropolitan Washington Lawyers Association along with her colleague, Lisa Banks. The award is presented annually to one or more Washington, DC attorneys who have achieved great accomplishments, and whose work embodies the mission of the association. Katz was recognized for the influential role she has played in the #MeToo movement through her representation of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, Michelle Manning Barish, Chloe Caras, and Irwin Reiter.{{Cite web|url=https://www.katzbanks.com/news/debra-katz-lisa-banks-honored-mwela%E2%80%99s-lawyers-year|title=Debra Katz and Lisa Banks Honored as MWELA's Lawyers of the Year|date=2019-02-04|website=katzbanks.com|language=en|access-date=2019-03-06}}

Katz's work representing victims of sexual harassment and assault, discrimination, and retaliation also won her recognition as a Law360 2019 “Titan of the Plaintiffs Bar” – an annual award bestowed upon ten influential plaintiff-side attorneys who had a significant impact in the past year inside and outside the courtroom.{{Cite web|url=https://www.law360.com/articles/1150628/titan-of-the-plaintiffs-bar-katz-marshall-s-debra-s-katz|title=Titan Of The Plaintiffs Bar: Katz Marshall's Debra S. Katz - Law360|website=www.law360.com|language=en|access-date=2019-06-07}}

T’ruah, an organization of rabbis and cantors with the mission of advancing human rights around the world, honored Katz with the Raphael Lemkin Human Rights Award during its “Celebration of Human Rights” event.{{Cite web|url=https://www.truah.org/meet-our-2019-human-rights-hero-honorees/|title=Meet Our 2019 Human Rights Hero Honorees|date=2018-11-08|website=T'ruah|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-07}}

Katz has one son, Ari Katz.{{Cite web|url=https://www.themarthablog.com/2019/05/a-guest-blog-from-ari-katz-on-his-love-for-raising-chickens.html|title=The Martha Stewart Blog : Blog Archive : A Guest Blog from Ari Katz on His Love for Raising Chickens|website=www.themarthablog.com|date=13 May 2019|access-date=2019-12-13}} She is married to Nicole Berner,{{cite web |url=https://www.jamhoff.com/attorneys/nicole-g-berner/|title=Nicole G. Berner|website=James & Hoffman, P.C. |access-date=17 May 2022}} a federal appeals court judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2017/11/15/sexual-harassment-attorney How The Landscape Is Shifting For Sexual Harassment Accusers, Accused And Attorneys], Here & Now interview with Robin Young
• [https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2017/12/08/sexual-harassment-stakes-huge-low-income-women-metoo-must-help-them-too-katz-alejandro-column/928821001/ Sexual harassment stakes huge for low-income women. Will #MeToo help them too?], USA Today
• [https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/599af919e4b033e0fbdec63d Discrimination Isn’t Just a Difference of Opinion – It’s a Violation of the Law], Huffington Post
• [https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2017/08/03/betsy-devos-jacksons-title-ix-approach-fails-trust-women-debra-katz-hannah-alejandro-column/536000001/ Betsy DeVos' Title IX approach fails to trust women who report sexual assault], USA Today
• [https://www.law360.com/employment/articles/941975/confronting-bias-to-improve-workplace-well-being Confronting Bias To Improve Workplace Well-Being], Law360
• [https://www.washingtonian.com/2018/06/14/meet-debra-katz-dc-leading-metoo-lawyer/ Attorney Debra Katz is a key advocate in the fight against sexual harassment. June 14, 2018], Washingtonian
• [https://lawtally.com/lawyers/debra-s-katz/ Debra Katz lawyer profile], LawTally

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Katz, Debra}}

Category:1958 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century American Jews

Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people

Category:21st-century American women lawyers

Category:21st-century American lawyers

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Category:American Reform Jews

Category:George W. Hewlett High School alumni

Category:Georgetown University Law Center alumni

Category:Lawyers from Washington, D.C.

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Category:People from Montgomery County, Maryland

Category:People from Woodmere, New York

Category:Union College (New York) alumni

Category:University of Wisconsin Law School alumni