Deborah was born in Massachusetts. She served in the United States Army as Non-Commissioned Officer Responsible for Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Operations from 1993-1999. Her bachelor’s degree in political science is from Fayetteville State University and while there, Deborah studied in Calcutta, India with the Asiatic Society, a center for Asian studies.
Deborah obtained her Juris Doctorate from the Univ. of New Hampshire School of Law, cum laude. While attending there, she competed in the Lefkowitz Moot Court Competition, which focuses on U.S. trademark and unfair competition law. She also served as a member of the Moot Court Advisory Board.
Deborah completed an internship with the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau, protecting consumers from unfair trade practices. She went on to receive an, LL.M., from Univ.of New Hampshire Law School, focusing on intellectual property, commerce and technology issues. During this LL.M. training, she interned with Burns & Levinson, in their Intellectual Property Litigation Department.
Deborah is a former Assistant State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit where she prosecuted misdemeanor, traffic and felony offenses, with over fifty jury trials. Her practice includes civil litigation, insurance defense and civil rights litigation. She is experienced in both state and federal courts at the trial and appellate levels.
Deborah is an active member of her community and has been recognized by the Florida Supreme Court for her pro bono work for indigent clients.
Deborah is licensed before all Florida state courts; the U.S. Supreme Court, Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals;and the U. S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.