Lawyer Bio : Deborah J. Israel

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Deborah J. Israel

Washington, DC

Listed in Washingtonian Magazine as one of Washington’s “Best Lawyers,” Debbie has a diverse business litigation practice and serves as lead litigation counsel to a broad range of clients, including national corporations, financial institutions, pension funds, and national real estate investment trusts and developers. She has extensive experience in cases involving commercial real estate, vendor and supplier relationships, and traditional business disputes involving contract claims, fraud and fiduciary claims, business torts, bankruptcy and employment litigation. Debbie specializes in trial and appellate work, complex commercial arbitration, emergency relief and injunctions in federal and state courts.
 
Representative Matters
  • Black Millwork v. Anderson Corp. (DNJ). Lead courtroom counsel on trial team representing national manufacturer of construction materials in hotly contested, fast paced $400 million dispute including TRO and injunction action in federal court (Newark, New Jersey). Successfully blocked distributor’s attempt to obtain a restraining order prohibiting manufacturer from terminating distributorship under New Jersey Franchise Practices Act.
  • Lead trial counsel for publicly traded global provider of armored cars and security related services in facilities dispute.
  • Lead trial counsel defending NEA (National Education Association Member Benefits) in various vendor disputes.
  • Regional trial counsel for real estate opportunity fund (wholly-owned subsidiary of publically traded international real estate asset management company) that invests in underperforming real estate in North America including office, retail, industrial, and multi-family.
  • Lead counsel on dozens of commercial property disputes, coast-to-coast, representing publicly traded national REIT specializing in acquisition, development, and management of commercial office buildings.
  • South Glebe Holdings, LLC v. Centex Homes, Case No. 1410004467. Lead trial counsel in arbitration administered by JAMS in dispute between two national developers. Defended national residential real estate developer Centex Homes; award in client’s favor on all counts and awarding return of Centex’s deposit.
  • Sheet Metal Workers’ National Pension Fund v. David T. Chase, et al., Superior Court Judicial District of Hartford (No. CV-994318185) and Sheet Metal Workers’ National Pension Fund v. Chase Family Limited Partnership No. 9, et al. (AAA Case No. 12 Y 1800006398); Lead trial counsel in successful representation of union pension fund in litigation to recover its $25 million investment in Connecticut Financial Center, a 26-story mixed use office building in New Haven, Connecticut and enforce a Put (repurchase option) based upon failure of the project to meet certain financial performance criteria. Litigation included arbitration administered by AAA and simultaneous TRO litigation in state court; obtained state court injunction in favor of pension fund prohibiting imposition of liens, refinancing, or foreclosure by partners and state court preliminary decision on likelihood of success on the merits which ultimately resolved the arbitration.
  • Margaret A. Darrin v. Robert W. Emmett, III and First American Development Group/Carib, Inc. (EDVA – Newport News Division) (Consolidated Civil Action No. 4:05cv117); Margaret A. Darrin v. Robert W. Emmett, III and First American Group/Carib, Inc. (DNJ Civil Action No. 05-2851 (KSH) and simultaneous JAMS arbitration (JAMS Reference No. 1410004071); lead trial counsel for defendants in dispute over financial performance of luxury fractional share resort in U.S. Virgin Islands called The Pond Bay Club.

Additional Biography Info

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Professional Activities

Bar Associations: District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia State Bar Associations.
 
Admitted to the bar, 1990, New Jersey; 1990, Maryland; 1991, District of Columbia; 1991, Virginia. Admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Federal Claims; U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Third, Fourth and District of Columbia Circuits; U.S. District Courts for the District of Columbia, Eastern District of Virginia, District of Maryland, District of Connecticut and District of New Jersey; U.S. Bankruptcy Courts for the Eastern District of Virginia, District of Columbia, District of Maryland and District of New Jersey; District of Columbia Court of Appeals; Virginia Supreme Court; Maryland Court of Appeals; and New Jersey Supreme Court.
 
Leadership Activities
 
Voting Delegate, District of Columbia Judicial Conference, 2004 and 2006; Chair, National Association of Women Judges Resource Board of Directors, 2003–Present, 25th Anniversary Gala & 2003 Annual Conference; President, Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia, 2001-2002; Board of Directors, Women’s Bar Association Foundation, 1993-1999; President, Women’s Bar Association Foundation, 1996-1998; Vice President, Women’s Bar Association Foundation, 1995-1996; Barrister, Charles Fahy American Inn of Court.
 
Honors and Awards
 
New Jersey Historic Preservation Award, May 2002.

Education

B.A., with honors, 1986, Rutgers University; Exeter College, Oxford University; J.D., 1990, Rutgers University; National Moot Court Team; Stratton Advanced Moot Court Competition – First Place and Best Brief.

Prior Legal Experience

Partner, Piper Rudnick, LLP, 1999-2004, Washington, DC; Partner, Silverstein and Mullens, P.L.L.C., 1995-1999, Washington, DC; Senior Associate, Colton & Boykin, 1993-1995, Washington, DC; Associate, Melrod, Redman & Gartlan, 1990-1993, Washington, DC.