Atty. Debra Weiss Ford

Atty. Debra Weiss Ford

With four decades in employment law, Debra “Deb” Weiss Ford stands as a steadfast advocate for her clients. In both state and federal venues, Deb combines strategic insight with her extensive knowledge to achieve optimal legal results.

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Profile Summary

About Debra Weiss Ford at a glance

Debra Weiss Ford is a employment and litigation attorney based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, practicing at Jackson Lewis PC. Admitted to practice in Maine, Maine State Bar Association, Massachusetts, Massachusetts Bar Association, and New Hampshire, New Hampshire Bar Association. Educated at Temple University (J.D., 1982) and Drew University (BA, 1979). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Labor Law - Management (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment (2026). Serands clients in Portsmouth, NH and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • With four decades in employment law, Debra “Deb” Weiss Ford stands as a steadfast advocate for her clients
  • In both state and federal venues, Deb combines strategic insight with her extensive knowledge to achieve optimal legal results
  • No New Hampshire employment law challenge is unfamiliar to her
  • Her litigation experience ensures effective solutions for both common and novel issues
  • She’s adeptly represented employers before key institutions, including the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination
  • This experience grants her unique insights into their processes, offering clients a marked advantage
  • Central to Deb’s practice, and of utmost importance in today's workplace environment, is her vast experience in providing workplace trainings
  • With literally thousands under her belt, her sessions have been consistently described as educational, insightful, and creative
  • Deb’s ability to impart knowledge is evident in how she breaks down complex issues into easily understandable segments
  • These trainings, tailored to each organization’s needs, have proven invaluable in promoting healthy workplaces, avoiding potential litigation, and ensuring compliance
  • Deb’s specialization spans areas like discrimination, wrongful discharge, wage and hour issues, workplace trainings, and Title IX compliance
  • Her approach is always tailored, rooted in a deep understanding of comprehensive legal landscapes
  • Beyond litigation, Deb routinely provides advice and counsel to clients, with a practical orientation focused on avoiding litigation based on her deep knowledge of litigation risks
  • Deb’s commitment to the legal community shines through her many years serving in pro bono and community-involved roles
  • Her experience in key committees and as a federal and state mediator highlight her negotiation prowess and leadership
  • Deb’s unwavering dedication to legal excellence ensures her clients receive top-tier, adaptable guidance in the modern employment legal arena

Practice Areas Explained

Debra Weiss Ford's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Debra Weiss Ford handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Employment Law

Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.

Debra Weiss Ford is one of 169,120 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in New Hampshire →

Civil Litigation

Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.

Debra Weiss Ford is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in New Hampshire →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in New Hampshire

Practicing law in New Hampshire. Legal matters in New Hampshire are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Portsmouth are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate New Hampshire state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in New Hampshire brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in New Hampshire courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional New Hampshire attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Portsmouth or all attorneys in New Hampshire.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Debra Weiss Ford

Where is Debra Weiss Ford's law office located?
Debra Weiss Ford's law practice is located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The firm is Jackson Lewis PC. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Debra Weiss Ford handle?
Debra Weiss Ford focuses on employment, litigation. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in New Hampshire.
Where did Debra Weiss Ford go to law school?
Debra Weiss Ford earned their education at (J.D., 1982); (BA, 1979).
How can I contact Debra Weiss Ford for a consultation?
You can contact Debra Weiss Ford directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Debra Weiss Ford received?
Debra Weiss Ford's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management; Best Lawyers in America — Labor Law - Management; Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment; Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:; Best Lawyers in America — COVID-19.

Education

J.D.
Temple University
- 1982
BA
Drew University
- 1979

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Labor Law - Management
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — COVID-19
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Defense
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Management
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Listed in New England Super Lawyers (Top 100 attorneys in New England)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Listed in New England Super Lawyers (Top 50 Women in New England, Employment & Labor)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Listed in Chambers USA as one of the top Lawyers in Labor and Employment
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Martindale-Hubbell, AV Rating
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Selected for inclusion in 2010 New England Super Lawyers
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Listed in Top New Hampshire Lawyers in Labor and Employment, New Hampshire Magazine
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Named Best Labor and Employment attorney in New Hampshire, Business New Hampshire Magazine
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Labor and Employment (Manchester)
- 2025
Lawyer of the Year — Employment Law - Management (Manchester)
- 2024
Lawyer of the Year — Labor Law - Management (Manchester)
- 2024
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Labor and Employment (Manchester)
- 2022
Lawyer of the Year — Labor Law - Management (Manchester)
- 2020
Lawyer of the Year — Labor Law - Management (Manchester)
- 2018
Lawyer of the Year — Labor Law - Management (Manchester)
- 2017
Lawyer of the Year — Employment Law - Management (Manchester)
- 2016
Lawyer of the Year — Labor Law - Management (Manchester)
- 2015
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Labor and Employment (Manchester)
- 2014
Lawyer of the Year — Labor Law - Management (Manchester)
- 2013
Lawyer of the Year — Employment Law - Management (Manchester)
- 2012

Bar Admissions

Maine, Maine State Bar Association
Massachusetts, Massachusetts Bar Association
New Hampshire, New Hampshire Bar Association

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