Biography
Deborah frequently represents creditors in workouts, foreclosures, collections, bankruptcies, and lender liability matters. Her practice also includes representation of businesses and individual clients in a wide variety of civil litigation matters before state and federal Courts, including contract disputes, fiduciary duty claims, property disputes, and fraud claims. Deborah also leads the firm’s brewery, winery, and distillery practice, representing businesses in obtaining proper licensing and permitting by federal, state, and local authorities.
Areas of Focus
+Creditors’ Rights & Bankruptcy
- Representation of banks and other lending institutions in defending lender liability claims, managing workouts, and pursuing collection, foreclosure, and claim and delivery actions
- Representation of secured and unsecured creditors in both commercial and consumer bankruptcy cases
+Brewery, Winery, & Distillery Law
- Brewery and Winery Licensing and Certification by federal, state and local authorities
+Litigation
- Civil and commercial litigation involving contract disputes, unfair and deceptive trade practices, fraud, real property disputes and trade secrets claims
Credentials
+Education
University of North Carolina School of Law, J.D., 1999
University of North Carolina, B.A., 1996, cum laude
+Notable Accomplishments
Recipient of the 2017 Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business Rising Star Award (as Co-Owner of Koi Pond Brewing Company)
Recipient of the 2015 Norma Turnage Humanitarian Award, Frederick E. Turnage Chapter of the American Red Cross
Recipient of North Carolina Lawyers Weekly’s 2014 Women of Justice Award
Recipient of North Carolina Lawyers Weekly’s 2014 Leaders in the Law Award
Leadership North Carolina, Class XVII
Winner of the Woody Brown Award for Volunteerism from the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce
Ranked among Super Lawyers magazine’s North Carolina “Rising Stars” (Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights) 2013-2014
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law) 2021, 2023-2025; (Commercial Litigation) 2023-2025; (Litigation-Bankruptcy) 2024-2025
+Professional & Community Activities
USLAW – Primary Contact Partner, Chairman of the Banking & Financial Practice Group
Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Fellows Program, 2014, and Active LCLD Alumni
Koi Pond Brewing Company – Co-Owner and Founder
Board of Directors President, Rocky Mount Area Community Fund, Futrell-Mauldin Community Fund
Executive Committee, Board of Directors, Harrison Family YMCA, 2007 – 2010
Chairman of We Build People Campaign, Harrison Family YMCA, 2008
Board of Directors, Boys & Girls Clubs of Nash/Edgecombe Counties 2004 – 2008
Chairman, Tar River Food & Wine Festival
Executive Committee, Board of Directors, Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce, 2005 – 2008
Past President, Young Professionals Network of Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Founding Member, Woman Givers of Nash-Rocky Mount, 2008 – present
Executive Committee, PAWS for a Cause Fundraiser for the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, 2008
Board of Directors, Tar River Civic Club and Tar River Charitable Foundation
Founding Member, Women’s Network of Eastern North Carolina
Team Captain, Relay for Life, 2002 – 2012
North Carolina Bar Association – Young Lawyers Division, Past Judicial District Representative For District 7; Bankruptcy and Litigation Sections
