debra katz, a whistleblower attorney who works with #metoo survivors.

by Prof. Easton Schroeder Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago 3 min read

Katz is representing Irwin Reiter, a longtime Weinstein Company executive, who reportedly objected to Harvey Weinstein's alleged sexual harassment of a front desk assistant and Weinstein's sexually predatory behavior.

Full Answer

Why did Debra Katz go public?

This time, Sheila Katz was one of them—in part because, like Ford, her identity had already started to leak. Now, she is glad she went public, she says, because her story helped bring #MeToo to Jewish organizations, some of which, like Hillel, have ultimately developed better sexual harassment policies.

What does Katz want?

Some want accountability. Some want large sums of money. Some want just enough money to get out. Some want to ensure that no more women will go through an ordeal like theirs. Some have a compelling legal case, but pursuing it would only intensify their trauma, so the best Katz can do is to find them a good therapist.

What is the theme of Katz?

When I speak with Katz’s clients, there is one theme they return to: Katz is a validating force in their lives —the person who assuages their doubt, guilt, powerlessness, assuring them that what happened was wrong, and that they are not at fault. When Caras first met with Katz, “a lot of clarity was shone on the fact that what I was going through actually was wrong—and was illegal,” she tells me.

Who is Christine Blasey Ford's lawyer?

Christine Blasey Ford testifies in Washington, DC, as lawyers Debra Katz and Michael Bromwich look on. (Alamy Stock Photo) K atz has cropped dark hair and moves and speaks with a self-assured quickness; she is professional and polished, but never over-serious.

Did Katz testify for Ford?

For weeks prior, Katz had been sure Ford would not testify. So sure, in fact, that Katz had scheduled something else for later that day: surgery. She had suffered from breast cancer years before and had an implant that required replacement. Now it was too late to cancel.

Did Katz wake up after Ford's testimony?

Hours later, Katz woke up in recovery— but skipped the pain medication. She would be negotiating the timing and format of Ford’s testimony with the chair of the Judiciary Committee, Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, in the morning, and she needed to stay sharp. She had worked for decades on sexual harassment cases—sometimes in the spotlight, mostly behind the scenes—but never with stakes this high.

Who is the woman who sat beside Christine Blasey Ford?

Katz, one of America’s top #MeToo lawyers, would gain national recognition as the woman who sat beside Christine Blasey Ford. But while it is easy to mistake her as a leader who grew out of a movement, the opposite is true: She was a go-to lawyer for women in need of legal support long before #MeToo had a name.

Overview

Debra S. Katz is an American civil rights and employment lawyer and a founding partner of Katz Banks Kumin (formerly Katz, Marshall & Banks) in Washington, D.C. She is best known for representing alleged victims of sexual assault and sexual harassment, notably Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, Vanessa Tyson, Chloe Caras, and accusers of Congressmen Pat Meehan and Eric Massa, and whistleb…

Early life and education

Katz was raised in Woodmere, New York as a Reform Jew. and graduated from George W. Hewlett High School. In 1980, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree (summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa) from Union College and in 1984, a J.D. cum laude from the University of Wisconsin Law School where she was a member of the Wisconsin Law Review and as Articles Editor of the Wisconsin Women's Law Journal. She ultimately left the Wisconsin Law Review and founded the Wisconsi…

Career

After law school, Katz clerked for Judge William A. Bablitch on the Wisconsin Supreme Court and held a Women's Law and Public Policy Fellowship at Georgetown University Law Center.

Notable clients

Alongside Lisa Banks, Katz represents 40 former employees of the Washington Football Team. The clients accused the organization of fostering a toxic and abusive work environment for years, in which women were frequently subjected to sexual harassment. After these allegations were reported on by the Washington Post, the team hired an outside law firm to conduct an independent investigation, which was later taken over by the NFL. The team was fined $10 millio…

Notable cases

Debra Katz, Carolyn Wheeler and Joseph Abboud represented members of a student feminist group at the University of Mary Washington who were subjected to online harassment and threats. In December 2018, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that university officials had an obligation to proactively protect the students against online sexual harassment, and that such action would not infringe any student's free speech rights. This ruling represents the first time that students h…

Affiliations

Katz is vice chair of the board of directors of the Project On Government Oversight. She has contributed articles to Ms. Magazine. Katz is also on the board of directors of Americans for Peace Now.

Honors and awards

In 2019 and 2021, Katz was named to the Washingtonian Magazine's list of "The Most Powerful Women in Washington, D.C."
Katz is a Fellow at The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, a Member of the International Women's Forum, and a Fellow of the American Bar Association. Katz was named the “Civil Rights Lawyer of the Year” for Washington by The Best Lawyers In America for 2018, a pioneering #Me…

Personal life

Katz has one son, Ari Katz. She is married to Nicole Berner, General Counsel of the Service Employees International Union.