Debra Weiss Ford

Debra Weiss Ford is Office Managing Principal and Litigation Manager of the Portsmouth, New Hampshire, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. She has more than 35 years of experience representing employers in litigation matters before the state and federal courts and administrative agencies.

Ms. Ford 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.

Ms. Ford 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.

Ms. Ford 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

•Best Lawyers’ Manchester Employment Law, Management Lawyer of the Year
•Business New Hampshire Magazine, Best Labor and Employment attorney in New Hampshire
•The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, fellow (2006)
•American Lawyer Media, Top Rated Lawyer
•New Hampshire Magazine, Top New Hampshire Lawyers in Labor and Employment
•The Trial Lawyer Honorary Society by the Litigation Counsel of America, fellow (2014)

Pro Bono and Community Involvement

•1st Tee, Board of Directors (2005-2006); Honorary Board Member (2005-2008)
•End 68 Hours of Hunger, Board Member
•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)

Debra Weiss Ford In the News

Debra Weiss Ford Comments on Implications of Increased Paid Leave and Unemployment Benefits

May 8, 2020 • NH Business Review

Jackson Lewis and Its Attorneys Receive Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2020

April 23, 2020 • Jackson Lewis

Debra Weiss Ford Comments on Implications of Outdated and Inaccurate Job Descriptions

April 7, 2020 • Business NH Magazine

Debra Weiss Ford Publications

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Maine Takes Steps to Restart Economy following COVID-19 Shutdown Order

May 5, 2020

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New Hampshire’s COVID-19 ‘Stay at Home Plan 2.0’ on Reopening Businesses

May 5, 2020

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New Maine Law Requires Employers to Provide Employees Paid Leave to Use for ‘Any Reason’

June 13, 2019

Webinars

webinar

COVID-19: Daily Briefing - Practical Tips and Legal Considerations for Making Remote Work, Work

4 - 4:30 PM EST
Archived

Debra Weiss Ford Blog Posts

Disability, Leave & Health Management

Paid Leave Law in Maine Passes Legislature and Waits for Governor Signature

May 23, 2019
Employment Trial Report

Former Winery Employees Awarded $11 million

February 14, 2019