Deborah M. Nelson

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

• American Association for Justice (AAJ) (Leaders Forum member)
• Clallam County Bar Association
• Georgia Trial Lawyers’ Association (GTLA) (Champion member)
• Jefferson County Bar Association
• Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia (TLABC)
• Washington Association for Justice (WSAJ) (Eagle member)
• Washington State Bar Association (WSBA)
• Bicycle Litigation Group of the American Association for Justice
• Insurance Law Section of the American Association for Justice
• Jury Bias Litigation Group of the American Association for Justice
• Small Firm Section of the American Bar Association
• Melvin M. Belli Society

EMPLOYMENT

• Attorney (Partner), NELSON BOYD, PLLC, Seattle, WA (2009 – present)
  Primary areas of Law: serious personal injury, complex insurance coverage, insurance bad faith litigation, long term disability insurance, excess and personal counsel for underinsureds, and legal malpractice.
• Partner, BOYD TRIAL CONSULTING, PLLC, Seattle, WA (2009 – present)
  Assist with interactive focus groups and mock trials, primarily on personal injury and commercial cases on a national level. Retained annually by the American Association for Justice to individually conduct six interactive focus groups over the course of three days as a faculty member of their Case Plus program for plaintiff’s lawyers from across the U.S.
• Arbitrator, Mandatory Arbitration Program, Clallam County Superior Court (2006 – present)
  Serve as sole arbitrator on a variety of civil cases pursuant to appointment by the Clallam County Superior Court. Jurisdictional limit of disputes is $100,000.
• Attorney (Partner), NELSON LANGER NELSON, PLLC, Seattle, WA (2007 – 2009)
  Primary areas of Law: traumatic brain injury, long term disability insurance, serious
  personal injury, complex insurance coverage, and insurance bad faith litigation.
• Attorney (Sole Practitioner), DEBORAH NELSON WILLIS, P.S., Port Angeles, WA (1997 – 2007)
  Primary areas of law: plaintiff’s personal injury, complex insurance coverage and bad faith litigation,
  and family law.
• Attorney (Associate), WILLIAMS LAW OFFICE, Port Angeles, WA (1994 – 1997)
  Primary areas of law: personal injury (plaintiff and defense), complex insurance coverage, insurance bad faith litigation, and commercial litigation.

• Judicial Law Clerk, KITSAP COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT, Port Orchard, WA (1993 – 1994)
  Primary areas of law: personal injury, contract and real property disputes, commercial and civil
  litigation, criminal law, family law, and administrative appeals.
• Archival Intern/Reference Librarian, GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Savannah, GA
  (1989 – 1990)
  Co-edited index for sixty volumes of the Georgia Historical Quarterly. Aided researchers with research projects. Conducted private genealogical, cultural, and historical research.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

• President, Washington State Association for Justice (WSAJ) (2006 – 2007)
• President, Council of Presidents, American Association for Justice (2007 – 2008)
• Chair, Insurance Law Section, American Association for Justice
• Chair, Clallam County Roundtable, Washington State Association for Justice (1996 – 2006)
• Chair, Downtown Seattle Roundtable, Washington State Association for Justice (2011 – 2013)
• Leaders Forum, American Association for Justice
• Convention Planning Committee, American Association for Justice
• Executive Committee, American Association for Justice
• Exchange Advisory Committee, American Association for Justice
• Public Education Committee, American Association for Justice
• State Affairs Committee, American Association for Justice
• State Delegate, American Association for Justice
• Vice President, Continuing Legal Education, Washington State Association for Justice
• Vice President, Development, Washington State Association for Justice
• Vice President, Finance, Washington State Association for Justice
• Vice President, Legislative Steering, Washington State Association for Justice
• Vice President, Publications, Washington State Association for Justice
• Board Member, Lawyers Association Trust (LAT) (1999 – present)
• Board Member, Washington State Association for Justice (1996 – 2011)
• Convention Co-Chair, Washington State Association for Justice (Vancouver, BC – 2017)
• Convention Co-Chair, Washington State Association for Justice (Skamania, WA – 2004)
• Chair, Holly Ball, Washington State Association for Justice (2019)
• Awards Committee, Washington State Association for Justice
• Continuing Legal Education Committee, Washington State Association for Justice
• Development Committee, Washington State Association for Justice
• Executive Committee, Washington State Association for Justice
• Nominations Committee, Washington State Association for Justice
• Strategic Planning Committee, Washington State Association for Justice

PUBLICATIONS

• Author, Create a Matrix for Better Case Selection, Trial Magazine, American Association for Justice (2020)
• Author, Identifying 5 Juror Types, Trial Magazine, Washington State Association for Justice (2018)
• Author, Identifying 5 Juror Types, Trial Magazine, American Association for Justice (2018)
• Author, Book Review “Bridging Psychology and the Law,” The Psychology of Tort Law by Jennifer K. Rebbennolt & Valerie P. Hans, American Association for Justice, Trial Magazine (2016)
• Author, Shutting the Door on Legal Malpractice, Trial Magazine, Washington State Ass’n for Justice (2015)
• Author, Shutting the Door on Legal Malpractice, Trial Magazine, American Association for Justice (2015)
• Author, Broken Promises, a Review of “Delay Deny Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It, Trial Magazine, American Association for Justice (2013)
• Chapter Author, PIP Litigation – Getting the Bills Paid, Automobile Accident & Litigation Desk Book, 2nd edition, Washington State Association for Justice (2010)
• Author, New Eagles Fly in From Out of State, Trial News, Washington State Association for Justice (2009)
• Author, Applying the Consumer Protection Act and Insurance Fair Conduct Act for Full Recovery of Extra Contractual Damages, Trial News, Washington State Association for Justice (2009)
• Author, The Importance of Using Lay Witnesses in Proving the Effect that Traumatic Brain Injuries Have on Your Client’s Life, Trial Magazine, American Association for Justice (2008)
• Author, A New Year, A New Name, A New Place, Trial News, Washington State Ass’n for Justice (2007)
• Author, Help Our Clients Help Others, Trial News, Washington State Association for Justice (2007)
• Author, Law Day: A Lawyer’s Holiday, Trial News, Washington State Association for Justice (2007)
• Author, Louis Brandeis, Legal Hero, Trial News, Washington State Association for Justice (2007)
• Author, Preserving Our System of Justice, Trial News, Washington State Association for Justice (2007)
• Author, Privileged to Lead, Trial News, Washington State Association for Justice (2007)
• Author, Proud to be a Trial Lawyer, Trial News, Washington State Association for Justice (2007)
• Author, Wow! What a Year, Trial News, Washington State Association for Justice (2007)
• Author, A Season of Thankfulness, Trial News, Washington State Association for Justice (2006)
• Author, Deborah’s Excellent Adventure in Washington, D.C. (aka Why You Should Join ATLA), Trial News, Washington State Association for Justice (2006)
• Author, Family Law Attorneys are Trial Lawyers Too, Trial News, Washington State Ass’n for Justice (2006)
• Author, New Campaign May Take Tort Reform to Ballot, Trial News, Washington State Ass’n for Justice (2004)
• Author, Making Insurers Pay for Wrongful Denial of PIP Benefits, Trial News, Washington State Association for Justice (2004)
• Contributor, Pleading and Motion Practice Handbook, Washington State Association for Justice (2003)
• Author, State Farm Found in Bad Faith for Cutting of PIP Benefits, Trial News, Washington State Association for Justice (1996)
• Chapter Author, PIP Litigation – Getting the Bills Paid, Automobile Accident & Litigation Desk Book, Washington State Association for Justice (2000)

NOTED LECTURES

• Speaker, “When the Rideshare Ride Isn’t Safe,” American Association for Justice, Annual Convention (2022)
• Speaker, “Keeping Insurance Clients Fully Informed” (ethics lecture), American Association for Justice, Annual Convention (2022)
• Speaker, “Building an Insurance Case that Jurors Will Love,” Washington State Association for Justice, Insurance Law Seminar (2021)
• Speaker, “Top Tips to Strengthen Your Case and Maximize Value,” Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Atlanta Roundtable (2020)
• Speaker, “Getting the Most Out of Your Focus Groups,” American Association for Justice, Case Plus (2020)
• Speaker, “Top Tips to Make Your Case Trial Worthy,” Washington State Association for Justice, Annual Convention (2020)
• Speaker, “The Five Jurors I See,” Georgia Trial Lawyers Ass’n, Auto Torts Seminar, Amelia Island, FL (2020)
• Speaker, “Cross Border Issues,” Canadian Caucus Seminar at the American Association for Justice, Annual Convention (Virtual) (2020)
• Speaker, “Moving Forward in a Covid World,” Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia, webinar (2020)
• Speaker, “The Five Jurors I See,” Colorado Trial Lawyers Ass’n, Annual Convention, Breckenridge, CO (2019)
• Faculty (Trial Consultant), Case Plus intensive focus group retreat, American Association for Justice, Kansas City, MO (2019)
• Speaker, “The Five Jurors I See,” South Carolina Association for Justice, Advanced Trial Lawyer College, Atlanta, GA (2018)
• Speaker, “Legal Malpractice: Don’t Be the Defendant,” Clallam County Bar Association (2018)
• Speaker, “Tips for Getting the Most out of Focus Groups,” American Association for Justice, Case Plus, Nashville, TN (2018)
• Faculty (Trial Consultant), Case Plus intensive focus group retreat, American Association for Justice, Nashville, TN (2018)
• Speaker, “Cross Border Issues: Representing Your Client & Avoiding Legal Malpractice,” Washington State Association for Justice, Annual Convention, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (2017)
• Faculty (Trial Consultant), Case Plus intensive focus group retreat, American Association for Justice, Indianapolis, IN (2017)
• Speaker, “How Much Medicine does the Jury Need to Know?” Idaho Trial Lawyers Association, Spring Seminar, Boise, ID (2017)
• Speaker, “Identifying the Attitudes and Values, Opinions, and Beliefs of Post-Election Jurors,” American Association for Justice, Winter Convention, Austin, TX (2017)
• Speaker, “View from the Catbird Seat: The 5 Jurors I See at Every Focus Group,” Western Trial Lawyers Association, Winter Conference, Steamboat Springs, CO (2017)
• Speaker, “UIM: Special Beast or Just Another Insurance Case?” Washington Association for Justice, Insurance Law Seminar, Seattle, WA (2017)
• Speaker, “Discovering and Utilizing Jurors’ Pre-Trial Beliefs,” American Association for Justice, Annual Convention, Los Angeles, CA (2016)
• Speaker, “Using Focus Groups Effectively,” American Association for Justice, Jury Bias – A Day at the Races Seminar, Louisville, KY (2016)
• Speaker, “Multilayered Approach – Applying IFCA to Auto Cases,” Washington State Association for Justice, Auto Cases Seminar, Seattle, WA (2016)
• Speaker, “Critical Thinking About PIP,” Washington State Association for Justice, New Lawyers Seminar, Seattle, WA (2016)
• Speaker, “Case and Client Selection,” Washington State Association for Justice, New Lawyers Seminar, Seattle, WA (2016)
• Speaker, “The Power Balance: Taking Care of Yourself So You Can Take Care of Others,” Western Trial Lawyers Association, Winter Conference, Steamboat Springs, CO (2016)
• Co-Chair, Washington State Association for Justice, Legal Ethics Seminar, Seattle, WA (2015)
• Speaker, “Ethics Everyday,” Washington State Ass’n for Justice, Legal Ethics Seminar, Seattle, WA (2015)
• Speaker, “Tips for Keeping the Medical Insurer from Mucking Up Your Liability Case,” American Association for Justice, Annual Convention, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (2015)
• Speaker, “Observations from the Catbird Seat: The Five Jurors I See in Every Focus Group,” Melvin M. Belli Society Seminar, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (2015)
• Speaker, “The Power Balance: Taking Care of Yourself So You Can Take Care of Others,” Washington State Association for Justice, Women of WSAJ Symposium, Seattle, WA (2015)
• Speaker, “Observations from the Catbird Seat: The Five Jurors I See in Every Focus Group,” Idaho Trial Lawyers Association, Annual Convention, Sun Valley, ID (2015)
• Speaker, “Observations from the Catbird Seat: The Five Jurors I See in Every Focus Group,” Multnomah County Bar Association, Portland, OR (2015)
• Speaker, “Selecting and Prepping Your Client,” Washington State Association for Justice, Winning with Witnesses Seminar, Seattle, WA (2015)
• Speaker, “Using Civil Rule 30(b)(6) Depositions to Bind the Insurer for the Adjuster’s Conduct,” American Association for Justice, Deposing the Claims Adjuster Webinar (2015)
• Speaker, “Tips for Keeping the Medical Insurer from Mucking Up Your Liability Case,” Western Trial Lawyers Association, Winter Conference, Lake Tahoe, CA (2015)
• Co-Chair, Rodney Jew’s Re-Focus Seminar, Washington State Association for Justice, Seattle, WA (2014)
• Speaker, “Tips for Winning Premises Liability Cases,” Western Trial Lawyers Association, Winter Conference, Lake Tahoe, CA (2014)
• Speaker, “Ethical Issues in Insurance,” American Assn for Justice, Annual Convention, Baltimore, MD (2014)
• Speaker, “Long Term Disability Insurance Denials: Pitfalls for the Unwary,” Ringler Radio Podcast (2013)
• Speaker, “Dealing with Treating Providers and Experts (Yours and Theirs) on Traumatic Brain Injury Cases,” Washington State Association for Justice national webinar (2013)
• Speaker, “Legal Malpractice: Don’t Be the Defendant,” American Association for Justice, Annual Convention, San Francisco, CA (2013)
• Speaker, “Tips for Avoiding Legal Malpractice Claims,” Western Trial Lawyers Association, Summer Conference, Maui, HI (2013)
• Speaker, “Demonstration of a Closing Argument,” Washington State Association for Justice, Bringing Home the Winning Verdict Seminar, Seattle, WA (2013)
• Speaker, “Legal Malpractice: Don’t Be the Defendant,” Western Trial Lawyers Association, Winter Conference, Lake Tahoe, CA (2013)
• Speaker, “Insurance Coverage Litigation,” Law Review CLE, Seattle, WA (2012)
• Speaker, “Identifying and Assessing Bad Faith Claims While Litigating the Coverage Case,” American Association for Justice, Annual Convention, New York, NY (2011)
• Speaker, “UIM for Fun and Profit: Leveraging Your Client’s Insurance Coverage for Maximum Recovery,” American Association for Justice, Annual Convention, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (2010)
• Speaker, “PIP Litigation – Getting the Bills Paid,” Washington State Association for Justice, Motor Vehicle Collision Seminar, Seattle, WA (2010)
• Speaker, “Applying Consumer Protection Act and Insurance Fair Conduct Act for Full Recovery of Extra Contractual Damages,” Washington State Ass’n for Justice, Kitsap Cty Roundtable, Silverdale, WA (2009)
• Speaker, “Oral Medical Reports: Circumventing Defense Depositions,” Melvin M. Belli Society Seminar, San Francisco, CA (2009)
• Speaker, “A Motion Today Keeps the Doctor Away: Summary Judgment Motions on Reasonableness and Necessity of Medical Treatment,” Washington State Association for Justice, Motions Practice Seminar, Seattle, WA (2009)
• Speaker, “Law Office Management,” American Association for Justice, Winter Convention, New Orleans, LA (2009)
• Moderator, Dissecting the US Supreme Court’s Decision in Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. v. Glenn, American Association for Justice, national webinar (2008)
• Podcast – Guest Speaker, “Long Term Disability Insurance Denials: Pitfalls for the Unwary,” Ringler Radio (2008)
• Speaker, “The Importance of Lay Witnesses in Proving the Effect That Traumatic Brain Injuries Have on Your Client’s Life,” American Association for Justice, Winter Convention, Puerto Rico (2008)
• Speaker, “Strategies for Negotiating Reimbursement Claims,” American Association for Justice, ERISA Update Webinar (2008)
• Speaker, “How to Survive Subrogation in the Post-Sereboff Era,” Melvin M. Belli Society Seminar, Philadelphia, PA (2008)
• Co-Chair, Washington State Association for Justice, Brain Injury Seminar, Seattle, WA (2007)
• Speaker, “Successfully Assessing, Preparing, and Executing Bad Faith Claims,” Washington State Association for Justice, Annual Insurance Law Seminar, Seattle & Spokane, WA (2007)
• Speaker, “Tips for Successfully Working with Attorneys in Litigation,” American Board of Vocational Examiners, Annual Convention, Seattle, WA (2007)
• Speaker, “Insurance Bad Faith Tips,” Washington State Association for Justice, Thurston County Roundtable, Olympia, WA (2007)
• Speaker, “Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: The Unseen Injury,” Washington State Association for Justice, Traumatic Brain Injury Seminar, Seattle, WA (2007)
• Speaker, “Long Term Disability Insurance Denials: Pitfalls for the Unwary,” Melvin M. Belli Society Seminar, Chicago, IL (2007)
• Speaker, “How to Survive Subrogation in the Post-Sereboff Era,” Washington State Association for Justice, Prague Seminar, Czech Republic (2007)
• Speaker, “Lessons Learned from WSTLA’s Successful Initiative Battle,” Government Affairs Conference, National Association of Trial Lawyer Executives, Phoenix, AZ (2006)
• Co-Chair, Washington State Association for Justice, Experts Seminar, Seattle, WA (2006)
• Co-Chair, Washington State Association for Justice, Getting a Fair Jury in Unfriendly Times Seminar, Seattle, WA (2006)
• Speaker, “Neuropsychology: Demystifying the Injuries,” Washington State Association for Justice Experts Seminar, Seattle, WA (2006)
• Speaker, “Timing & Strategy Considerations in Insurance Bad Faith Cases,” Washington State Association for Justice, Auto Cases Seminar, Seattle, WA (2005)
• Co-Chair, Annual Convention, Washington State Association for Justice, Skamania, WA (2004)
• Co-Chair, Washington State Association for Justice, Annual Insurance Law Seminar, Seattle, WA (2003)
• Speaker, “Hot Pursuit: Deposing Adjusters,” Washington State Association for Justice, Annual Insurance Law Seminar, Seattle & Spokane, WA (2003)
• Speaker, “Legislative Update: What’s Been Done To Us and For Us Lately,” Washington State Association for Justice, Tort Law Update Seminar, Seattle, WA (2003)
• Co-Chair, Washington State Association for Justice, Damages Seminar, Seattle, WA (2002)
• Speaker, “Motion For Reasonableness of Medical Expenses and Necessity of Medical Treatment,” Washington State Association for Justice, Moving with Motions Seminar, Seattle, WA (2002)
• Co-Chair, Washington State Association for Justice, Insurance Bad Faith Seminar, Seattle, WA (2001)
• Speaker, “Bad Faith Basics,” Washington State Association for Justice Insurance, Bad Faith Seminar, Seattle, WA (2001)
• Speaker, “Bad Faith Basics: Take a Quiz,” Washington State Association for Justice, Insurance Law Basics Seminar, Seattle, WA (2000)
• Speaker, “Discovery in Bad Faith Cases,” Washington State Association for Justice, Insurance Law Basics Seminar, Seattle, WA (2000)
• Speaker, “Picking Your Battles: Assessing the Case and the Client,” Washington State Association for Justice, New Lawyers Seminar, Seattle, WA (2000)
• Speaker, “Assessing the Damage: Understanding What Damages are Recoverable in PIP Bad Faith Litigation,” Washington State Association for Justice, PIP Claims Seminar, Seattle, WA (1999)
• Speaker, “Insurance Bad Faith in Chiropractic Cases: Making the Insurer Honor Its Contract,” Washington State Association for Justice, Chiropractors & Lawyers Seminar, Seattle, WA (1999)
• Speaker, “Insurance Bad Faith Litigation Discovery: How to Prevent Work Product Defenses,” Washington State Association for Justice, Spring Training for Litigators, Phoenix, AZ (1999)
• Speaker, “Discovery Motions: If the Defendant Tries to Hide the Ball, What Do You Do? Making Sure You Get It All,” Washington State Association for Justice, Fisons Motions, Privilege Logs, Washington State Association for Justice, How to Use the Rules for Better Results Seminar, Seattle, WA (1999)
• Speaker, “PIP Bad Faith: Making Them Pay,” Washington State Association for Justice, How to Hammer Allstate Seminar, Seattle & Spokane, WA (1999)
• Co-Chair, Washington State Association for Justice, Lost in the M.I.S.T. of L.I.S.T Seminar, Seattle (1998)
• Speaker, “Spotting Bad Faith & Handling PIP Claims: Making the Insurer Honor Its Contract,” Washington State Association for Justice, Auto Cases Seminar, Seattle, WA (1998)
• Speaker, “Bifurcation and Discovery in Insurance Bad Faith Litigation,” Washington State Association for Justice, Annual Insurance Law Seminar, Seattle & Spokane, WA (1998)
• Speaker, “PIP Problems: What to Do When the Carrier Cuts Your Client Off,” Washington State Association for Justice, Insurance Law Basics Seminar, Seattle, WA (1998)
• Chair, Insurance Law Basics Seminar, Washington State Association for Justice, Seattle, WA (1997)
• Speaker, “Bad Faith Claims: What to Do When They Deny PIP Coverage,” Washington State Association for Justice, Auto Cases Seminar, Seattle, WA (1997)
• Speaker, “First Party Insurance Bad Faith Basics,” Washington State Association for Justice Insurance, Law Basics Seminar, Seattle, WA (1997)
• Speaker, “Insurance Coverage & Claims Disputes,” Washington State Association for Justice, Legislative Briefing, Olympia, WA (1997)
• Speaker, “PIP Bad Faith: Anticipate, Plan & Prepare,” Washington State Association for Justice, Luvera Seminar, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (1997)
• Speaker, “Getting the Bills Paid or What To Do When The PIP Carrier Won’t Pay The Claim,” Washington State Association for Justice, Insurance Law Basics Seminar, Seattle, WA (1996)
• Chair, Clallam County Peoples Law School, Port Angeles, WA (1995 & 1996)
• Speaker, “Consumer Rights,” Clallam County People’s Law School, Port Angeles, WA (1995 & 1996)
• Speaker, “Insurance Law,” Clallam County People’s Law School, Port Angeles, WA (1995 & 1996)

Deborah M. Nelson

Deborah Nelson has roots on both coasts – in the spectacular Pacific Northwest and in beautiful coastal Georgia. Deborah graduated high school from the prestigious Glynn Academy in Brunswick, Georgia which is the 7th oldest continuously operating public high school in the U.S. She received her bachelor’s degree in American history magna cum laude in Savannah, Georgia from Georgia Southern University (formerly Armstrong State College) before earning her law degree from the University of Cincinnati, which is the 4th oldest continuously operating law school in the U.S.

A lawyer since 1993, Deborah Nelson is a recognized leader locally and nationally. In 2006, she was elected President of the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association (now Washington Association for Justice) and the following year, she was elected President of the Council of Presidents of the American Association for Justice.

Deborah has written and lectured locally, nationally, and internationally on a variety of legal subjects including traumatic brain injury, insurance law, litigation, legal malpractice, and personal injury practice. More importantly, Deborah is known for her compassion, attention to detail, and deep commitment to her clients, who describe her as “outstandingly smart,” “wonderful and caring,” “honest,” and “tenacious.”

Deborah has been named a Super Lawyer by Washington Law & Politics magazine every year since 2003; she was named Best Attorney in Clallam County by a readers’ poll of the Peninsula Daily News, received the Distinguished Service Award from the Clallam Pro Bono Lawyers, was awarded the Woman of Distinction Award by Soroptimist International of Port Angeles (Noon Club), and was named a Notable Alumnus by her alma mater, Georgia Southern University.

Following graduation from law school, she served as a judicial clerk for the Kitsap County Superior Court. She moved to Port Angeles in 1994 where she worked for 13 years before moving to Seattle to become partner at a firm there. In 2009, she formed Nelson Boyd Attorneys with Jeff Boyd. She regularly represents clients in not only the Seattle area, but also Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap counties.

Deborah is one of the few attorneys in Washington to practice in the area of complex insurance litigation including long term disability insurance, life insurance, and as “personal” or “excess” counsel to people who are underinsured. In addition, for years, she has represented clients in legal malpractice lawsuits against their former lawyers throughout the state of Washington.

Deborah is active in her local and national trial lawyer organizations. She is an Eagle member of the Washington State Association for Justice where she served as President and was a member of the Board of Directors for over 12 years. She is a Leaders Forum member of the American Association for Justice, a past chair of the Insurance Law Section, and served on the Executive Committee. She is a member of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association and the Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia.

Deborah is an avid road cyclist, runner, and triathlete. She has completed over 15 centuries (100 miles!) on her bike, 3 full marathons, over 30 half marathons, and more than a dozen triathlons. She is a former member of the cycle, marathon, and triathlon teams for Team in Training and raised over $30,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to fund research, treatment, and patient services for those suffering from blood cancers. She enjoys fitness, traveling, and spending time on the North Olympic. She is also learning how to speak Swedish.