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
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)
