Debra
L.
Weiss
Main Biography
Debra focuses her practice in the areas of employment litigation and counseling; defense of registered representatives and brokers-dealers in FINRA arbitration actions; and defense of real estate professionals in disclosure and misrepresentation actions.
Employment Defense and Advising
Debra understands that business decisions are not always made in the courtroom and works diligently to design practical solutions that balance a company’s legal compliance issues with its business objectives and goals in an evenhanded and creative manner. She has consistently been recognized as a Minnesota Rising Star by Minnesota Law and Politics magazine.
She is well-equipped to assist you with:
- Litigating all facets of employment matters, including discrimination and harassment issues, in state and federal courts
- Handling administrative charges before state and federal agencies
- Counseling and advising employers on employment issues
- Prosecuting and defending non-compete agreements on behalf of companies and employees
- Conducting independent investigations of allegations of inappropriate employee behavior running the gamut of workplace issues including discrimination, harassment and improper business practices
- Asserting and defending defamation claims, whistleblower claims, employee privacy issues, and wage and hour matters
Professional Liability
Debra represents broker-dealers, registered representatives and insurance companies in state court, federal court, and arbitrations before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). She defends clients in customer disputes involving claims of unsuitability, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, and violations of state and federal securities laws.
Debra also defends real estate brokers and agents in Minnesota and Wisconsin against claims for misrepresentation, failure to disclose, breach of contract, and negligence. Her practice includes defense of mechanic’s lien and foreclosure actions.
Professional Affiliations
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Hennepin County Bar Association
- Minnesota Women Lawyers
- Human Resource Professionals of Minnesota
Accolades
- Recognized as a Rising Star, 2005-2011
PRIOR HONORS
- Hamline Law Review, member (1996-1997)
- Hamline Law Review, Managing Editor (1997-1998)
Speaking Engagements
- Southwest Metro Human Resources Association (SWMHRA), Cyberlaw 101: Get Your Head Out of the Cloud(s)! (April 2012)
- Preferred Resource Group (PRG), Understanding the FINRA Process and Tips to Help Minimize Risk (January 2012)
- Human Resource Professionals Edina Networking Group, Temps and Contractors: Reducing Legal Risks and Avoiding 'Co-Employment' Relationships (May 2011)
- Human Resource Professionals, 2011 HRP Spring Conference Sponsor (April 2011)
- Southwest Metro Human Resource Association (SWMHRA), Temps and Contractors: Reducing Legal Risks and Managing Alternative Work Relationships (January 2011)
- 2010 School Law Conference, Avoiding Legal Land Mines of the FMLA (November 2010)
- Human Resource Professionals (HRP), Avoiding Legal Land Mines of the FMLA (July 2010)
- American Association of School Personnel Administrators (AASPA), Avoiding Legal Land Mines of the FMLA (June 2010)
- Southwest Metro Human Resource Association (SWMHRA), Get Smart - Gaining Control Over the Actions of Departing Employees (January 2010)
- HR Roundtable Group, ADAA, COBRA and FMLA (March 2009)
- Meagher & Geer Breakfast Seminar, HR Do’s and Don’ts (June 2008)
- HR Roundtable Group, Hot Topics in HR (March 2008)
- Minnesota Chapter of the American Mold Builders Association, Top Ten Ways to Avoid Costly Litigation (February 2008)
Published Articles
- "What Every Employer Should Know About Social Media" AASPA Best Practices in School Personnel, May/June/July 2012
- Employment Law Updates newsletter (March 2008, May 2008)
- "The Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Acts: Does Disclosure Violate an Offender’s Right to Privacy?" 20 Hamline Law Review 557 (1998)
Recent Cases
- Hudalla v. Summit Orthopedics d/b/a Minnesota Occupational Health, 62-cv-10-11767 (Ramsey County, 2011) (summary judgment granted on application of Minnesota's Drug and Alcohol Testing in the Workplace Act, Minn. Stat. 181.950, et. seq.)
- Rubenzer v. Associated Bank, et. al., 08-cv-1415 (St. Croix County, 2011) (summary judgment granted on statute of limitations defense in mechanic's lien matter)
- Bernier v. Benson-Thompson, et al., 08-CV-211 (Washburn Co., 2010) (complete defense verdict for real estate professionals in disclosure and misrepresentation case)
- Northern Sunrooms & Additions, LLC v. Construction Lien Experts, Inc., et al., 27-cv-09-11698 (2010) (affirming summary judgment for mechanics' lien company based on exculpatory contract language)
- Ellis v. BlueSky Charter School, A09-1205 (Minn.App. 2010) (affirming summary judgment on at-will status of school administrator)
- Fus v. Medcor, Inc., et. al., 09-2489 (8th Cir. 2010) (affirming summary judgment on dismissal of tort-based claims based on Minnesota's workers' compensation exclusivity provision)
- Nyholm v. International Precision Machining, Inc., 08-cv-1356 (D.Minn. 2009) (granting summary judgment for defendant on plaintiff’s claim for pregnancy discrimination)
- Steen v. Spectrum High School, 07-4179 (D.Minn. 2007)
- Baxters v. AHA, 05-17771 (D.Minn. 2005)
- E.M. v. Red Wing Public Schools, et. al., 02-4701 (D.Minn. 2002)
Community Contributions
- Bet Shalom Sisterhood Board, Vice President of Programming, 2009-2010
- Bet Shalom Sisterhood Board, Recording Secretary
- Resource, Inc., a non-profit organization, Board of Directors
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State Bar Admissions
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Minnesota, 1998
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Wisconsin, 2008
Federal Court Admissions
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United States District Court, District of Minnesota, 1999
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United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit, 2003
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United States District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin, 2007
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United States District Court, Central District of Illinois, 2011
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United States District Court, Western District of Wisconsin, 2012
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