“What I do as an advocate is such a big part of who I am as a person. I really do believe, that the work we do as plaintiffs’ lawyers is important, and makes a positive difference in someone’s life when they are struggling or have been victimized is extremely rewarding.” – Debra Freid
Debra A. Freid, Of Counsel
A Respected Leader in Michigan Law
Debra Freid has been practicing law in Michigan for over 40 years. She is the President and Managing Partner of Freid, Gallagher, Taylor & Associates, P.C., a firm she co-founded. In 2022, Debra joined Sinas Dramis Law Firm in an Of Counsel role, bringing her deep legal knowledge and decades of experience to the team.
A Career Built on Advocacy and Integrity
After earning her law degree from Wayne State University in 1981, Debra began what would become a standout career in both employment law and personal injury litigation. She focuses on cases involving:
- Wrongful discharge and discrimination in the workplace
- Civil rights violations
- Serious personal injuries
Debra is known by her clients as a fierce advocate who stands up for their rights and supports them through difficult legal battles.
“Ms. Freid was recommended to me as a professional, tough, empathic, smart and outstanding lawyer. She proved to be that and more. She guided me through a very difficult time, supporting me throughout the whole experience. She led the way in getting a settlement that was fair and agreeable to me. I would highly recommend her.” – Geneva
A Champion in the Legal Community
Debra’s impact goes far beyond the courtroom. She has played a key leadership role in shaping the legal field in Michigan. Her professional involvement includes:
- Past-President of the Michigan Association for Justice (still serving on its Executive Committee)
- Officer of the Michigan Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
- Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL)
- Member of the State Bar of Michigan’s Negligence Council
- Co-Chair of the State Bar Judicial Qualifications Committee
Recognized for Excellence
Debra’s commitment to legal excellence has earned her some of the highest honors in the profession. She is:
- Certified in Civil Litigation by the National Board of Trial Advocacy
- AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest possible rating for legal ability and ethical standards
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Education
- J.D., Wayne State University Law School, cum laude, 1981
Admissions
- Michigan, 1981
- U.S. District Court Eastern District Michigan, 1981
- U.S. District Court Western District Michigan, 2007
- U.S. District Court, Central District Illinois, 2009 (pro hac vice)
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District Virginia, 2018 (pro hac vice)
- Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, 1982
Professional Associations
- Michigan Association for Justice (MAJ); member of the Executive Committee, Verdicts & Settlements Editor
- American Association for Justice (AAJ)
- National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA)
- Michigan Trial Lawyers Association (Past President), Executive Committee Member (Current)
- American College of Trial Lawyers – inducted October 1, 2021
- American Board of Trial Attorneys Associate – (2015- Present), Officer (2020-Present), Secretary (2021 – Present)
- Women Lawyers Association of Michigan
- State Bar of Michigan, Judicial Qualifications Committee (2019-Present), Judicial Qualifications Committee Co-Chair (2021-Present), Negligence Council (2019-Present)
- Labor & Employment Section – State Bar of Michigan
- Negligence Section- State Bar of Michigan
- Public Justice
- Saginaw County Bar Association
- Federal Judicial Advisory Committee member (2017-Present)
- Local Rules Committee member for U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan (2010-2015)
Practice Areas
- Police Misconduct
- Employment Retaliation and Discrimination
- Sexual Harassment and Gender Identity
- Family Medical Leave Act and Disability Discrimination
- Civil Rights
- Whistleblower’s Protection
- Wrongful Discharge/Severance/Non-Compete Agreement
Awards and Recognition
- AV Preeminent rating – Martindale Hubbell
- Top 100 Lawyers, 2015-Present
- Lawyers’ Weekly – Women in the Law Honoree, 2017
- Leading Lawyers – Inaugural Edition of Michigan, 2017
- WLAM Jean King Award Winner, 2019
- Super Lawyer, 2019-Present
- MAJ – Champion of Justice, May 2022
- State Bar of Michigan, Negligence Section – Earl Cline Sherwin Schreier Award, June 2022
Speaking Engagements
- “Workers’ Compensation and Employment Litigation”, Michigan Trial Lawyers Association (now MAJ), 1995
- Institute for Continuing Education (ICLE), 1997
- Workers’ Compensation Law Update, Michigan Trial Lawyers Association (MAJ), 1999
- Michigan Trial Lawyers Association, 1999
- Premises Liability “Open and Obvious”, 2001
- Michigan Trial Lawyers Association: “What is really Non-Economic Loss and How to Translate it,” 2003
- Institute for Continuing Education: Life Cycle of a Case- Secrets of a Successful Plaintiff’s Employment Law Practice, 2006
- HR Certification Institute: Fundamentals of Employment Law Seminar, 2013
- Institute for Continuing Legal Education: Value of an Employment Case Webinar, 2014
- Michigan Association of Justice – $6 million discrimination verdict analysis, July 11, 2022
- Michigan Association of Justice – Leadership Academy, “How to practice law as a Human”, August 12, 2022