“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
Debra Freid has practiced law in Michigan for more than 40 years and is currently the President and Managing Partner of Freid, Gallagher, Taylor & Associates, P.C. a firm that she co-founded. In 2022, she joined Sinas Dramis Law Firm in an Of Counsel capacity.
After graduating from law school at Wayne State University in 1981, she began her prominent career in employment and personal injury law, where she specializes in all types of employment discharge and discrimination cases, civil rights claims, and serious personal injury litigation. For her clients, Debra is known as their passionate advocate, who’s willing to fight for their rights.
“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
In addition to the work she does for her clients, Debra has also had a significant impact on the legal community, serving as Past-President of the Michigan Association for Justice, where she remains a member of its Executive Committee. She’s also an Officer with the Michigan Chapter of the American Board of Trial Attorneys (ABOTA) and has been inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL). In addition, Debra is a member of the Negligence Council for the State Bar and a co-chair of the State Bar Judicial Qualifications Committee.
She is certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in civil litigation and is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
Education
J.D., Wayne State University Law School, cum laude, 1981
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Connect with Debra Freid
Email: debrafreid@sinasdramis.com
Phone: 517-394-7500
Toll Free: 866-758-0031
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
Personal Injury, 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