Debra Fischer has practiced employment law and unfair competition/trade secret litigation for over 30 years, successfully trying cases in both California state and federal courts as well as in arbitration. Debra regularly counsels employers in all aspects of employment law compliance, risk avoidance, and crisis management. She is regularly called upon to give advice on trade secret and unfair competition issues that arise when employees change employment and handles the litigation that often ensues from such departures.
Debra also defends clients in a wide variety of employment disputes, including sexual harassment and wrongful termination suits. She has particular understanding of the financial services area, regularly representing accounting firms, broker-dealers, insurance brokers and companies, private equity firms, mortgage companies, and other financial institutions. Debra often handles employment disputes with high-level executives and other confidential matters involving high profile individuals. Debra’s appellate work includes successfully briefing and arguing cases in state and federal courts of appeal, including briefing in the US Supreme Court.
Debra is co-leader of the labor and employment practice’s Trade Secret and Unfair Competition Task Force. Before joining Morgan Lewis, Debra was a partner in the labor and employment practice of another international law firm, where she was the leader of the group as well as administrative partner of the firm’s managing partner team and chair of the committee on associates.
Debra has provided pro bono assistance to parents of children seeking to obtain better and more comprehensive health education in public schools, and currently serves as board Chair for the Forgotten International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing programs to alleviate poverty, particularly for women and children.
Recognized, Top Trade Secrets Lawyers in California, Daily Journal (2024)
Recognized, Women Attorney of Influence, Los Angeles Business Journal (2018, 2024)
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Litigation – Labor and Employment, Los Angeles (2015–2020, 2024, 2025)
Recognized, Litigation – Labor and Employment, Century City, The Best Lawyers in America (2022, 2023)
Ranked, Labor & Employment, California, Chambers USA (2014–2024)
Leading Lawyer, Intellectual property: Trade secrets (litigation and non-contentious matters),The Legal 500 US (2023, 2024)
Recommended, Intellectual property: Trade secrets (litigation and non-contentious matters),The Legal 500 US (2020–2022)
Recommended, Labor and employment: Labor and employment disputes (including collective actions): defense, The Legal 500 US (2018–2021)
Recommended, Labor and employment: Workplace and employment counseling, The Legal 500 US (2016–2018)
Recognized, Leaders of Influence: Labor and Employment Attorneys, Los Angeles Business Journal (2023)
Recognized, Top Labor & Employment Lawyers in California, The Daily Journal (2021, 2023, 2024)
Recognized, Top Woman Lawyer, Best Lawyers (2016–2017)
Member, Practice Group of the Year, Employment, Law360 (2017, 2019)
Recognized, Employment and Labor, Southern California Super Lawyers (2002–2016)
Nominee, Women Making a Difference Award, Los Angeles Business Journal (2006–2009, 2012–2014)
Fellow, The College of Labor & Employment Lawyers
Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
President, Board of Directors, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (past)
Chair, Board of Directors, The Forgotten International
Board of Directors, Alumni Association, Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California (past)
Managing and Executive Editor, Berkeley Women’s Law Journal, Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California
Phi Beta Kappa, University of California at Davis
3rd Dan, Taekwondo, KMA Black Belt Champions