Debra Weiss Ford

Office Managing Principal
Portsmouth

P 603-559-2700 F 603-559-2700

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Debra Weiss Ford

Biography

Debra Weiss Ford is office managing principal of the Portsmouth, New Hampshire, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. She has more than 40 years of experience representing employers in litigation matters before the state and federal courts and administrative agencies.

Debra also represents employers before the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights, the Maine Human Rights Commission, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the New Hampshire Department of Labor, and the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination.

Debra trains frequently in New England on issues related to employment law, including discrimination, wrongful discharge, reductions in force, termination issues, wage and hour issues, proper documentation, leaves of absence, and Title IX compliance. She regularly advises clients on employment-related matters.

Debra was a member of the New Hampshire Board of Bar Examiners from 1993 to 2005. She was appointed by the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire to serve on the Merit Selection Panel to consider the reappointment of the incumbent magistrate. In 2003, she was appointed to serve on the Federal Court Advisory Committee. She is an approved federal and state mediator.

Honors and Recognitions

  • American Lawyer Media, Top Rated Lawyer
  • The Best Lawyers in America©, "Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Labor and Employment" (2021, 2022)
  • The Best Lawyers in America©, "Employment Law - Management," "Labor Law - Management," and "Litigation - Labor and Employment" (2007-present)
  • Business New Hampshire Magazine, "Best Labor and Employment attorney in New Hampshire"
  • Chambers USA, “Labor & Employment” (2008-2022)
  • The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, Fellow (2006)
  • Legal 500 USA, "Recommended Attorney" (2016-2022)
  • Martindale-Hubbell®, "AV Preeminent® - Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence" (2003-present)
  • New Hampshire Magazine, Top New Hampshire Lawyers in Labor and Employment
  • New Hampshire Super Lawyers® (2007-present)
  • Senior Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, The Trial Lawyer Honorary Society
  • Thomson Reuters, “Stand-Out Lawyer” (2023)

Professional Associations and Activities

  • American Arbitration Association
  • American Bar Association
  • American Board of Trial Advocates
  • American Trial Lawyers Association
  • Barrister, Order of Juris
  • Maine State Bar Association
  • Massachusetts State Bar Association
  • Member, Chief
  • Member, Diversity Law Institute
  • Member, Trial Law Institute
  • National Association of College and University Attorneys
  • New Hampshire State Bar Association
  • New Hampshire Trial Lawyers Association

Pro Bono and Community Involvement

  • Granite State Children’s Alliance, Board of Directors (2023)
  • 1st Tee, Board of Directors (2005-2006); Honorary Board Member (2005-2008)
  • End 68 Hours of Hunger, Board of Directors (2017-2022)
  • NHSPCA, Board of Directors (2004-2011)
  • Portsmouth Music Hall, Board Member
  • Rockingham Community Action, Board of Directors (2009-2011)
  • Seacoast Human Resources Association, Board Member

Published Works

  • Workplace Privacy, New Hampshire Chapter (Thompson Publishing Group)