Debbie has represented various types of clients from individuals to financial institutions, Fortune 500 companies, insurance companies, manufacturers, and technology companies on a variety of commercial matters involving corporate governance, fiduciary issues, non-compete agreements, trade secrets, royalty agreements, securities fraud, defamation, patent infringement, ERISA matters, and other general contractual issues.Debbie has first-chaired several arbitrations, and has had an active role in trying and arbitrating several other cases with colleagues in the firm. Debbie has led or participated in matters that led to: A defense verdict for one of the nation�s largest refining companies in a $1 billion whistleblower lawsuit by a former employee Complete victories for one of the country�s largest securities dealers in arbitrations involving claims of fraud and unsuitability Complete victory for a medical device company in an arbitration involving a multi-million dollar licensing dispute Maves et al. v. Howe et al.: In this case, plaintiffs sought to bring a class action claim under the Minnesota Securities Act, under provisions equivalent to a federal 10b claim. Plaintiffs ultimately agreed to withdraw the class claim, and to proceed on individual basis. The case was then settled.Deuchert v. American Express Financial Advisors: In this case, claimant initiated arbitration alleging that American Express Financial Advisors and one of its advisors committed fraud and violated the NASD's suitability rules. This matter proceeded to arbitration, and the arbitrator denied the majority of claimant's claims. Schuster v. American Express Financial Advisors: In this case, claimant initiated arbitration alleging that American Express Financial Advisors and one of its advisors violated the FINRA (formerly NASD) suitability rules. Shortly before the hearing was to commence, claimant dropped her claims in their entirety. Petry v. American Express Financial Advisors: In this case, claimant initiated arbitration alleging that American Express Financial Advisors and one of its advisors violated the FINRA (formerly NASD) suitability rules. Shortly before the hearing was to commence, claimant dropped her claims in their entirety. Brumbill v. American Express Financial Advisors: In this case, claimant initiated arbitration alleging that American Express Financial Advisors and one of its advisors violated FINRA (formerly NASD) rules by failing to advise claimant regarding safe withdrawal rates. The matter went to hearing, and American Express Financial Advisors secured complete victory. Marr Trust v. American Express Financial Advisors: In this case, claimant initiated arbitration alleging that American Express Financial Advisors and one of its advisors violated FINRA (formerly NASD) rules by failing to advise claimant to sell securities that she was holding at the start of a down market. The matter went to hearing, and American Express Financial Advisors secured complete victory. Hartsman v. American Express Financial Advisors: In this case, claimant initiated arbitration alleging that American Express Financial Advisors and one of its advisors violated the FINRA (formerly NASD) suitability rules. The matter went to hearing, and the panel rejected claimant's claims in their entirety. Debbie�s clients have also won several cases before they even got to trial. These include benefits claims under ERISA (which were dismissed on summary judgment), various contract disputes (dismissed on summary judgment), and several commercial disputes dismissed on personal jurisdiction grounds. Debbie has briefed and argued cases in Minnesota state and federal court, and has briefed and argued cases before the Minnesota Court of Appeals and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. |