Deborah S. Davidson

合夥人

She/Her/Hers

Deborah S. Davidson is co-chair of Morgan Lewis’s ERISA litigation practice. She represents plan sponsors, fiduciaries, service providers, and other clients facing a host of employee benefits litigation nationwide, with a particular focus on class action litigation. Debbie defends lawsuits involving all types of employee benefit plans, including 401(k) and 403(b) retirement plans, defined-benefit plans, employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), top-hat plans, church plans, severance plans, and health plans. Debbie is rated nationally for ERISA litigation by Chambers (Band 2) and The Legal 500 (as one of 10 Leading Lawyers). She has written and spoken extensively on various employee benefits matters and served as National Employer co-chair of the American Bar Association’s Employee Benefits Committee.

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Through her benefits litigation practice, Debbie handles claims covering a host of issues, including retirement plan investments, plan fees and expenses, plan forfeitures, plan design and administration issues, employer securities and ESOPs, issues involving plan service providers, challenges involving defined benefit plans, health and welfare plan issues, retiree medical benefits, early retirement programs, severance plans, top-hat plans, claims to recover plan benefits, alleged interference with benefits, preemption issues, and other claims. Debbie also counsels clients on litigation risk management.

Debbie frequently writes and speaks on employee benefits and ERISA litigation. She has been a chapter editor and contributing author for the Employee Benefits Law Treatise and Supplement (BNA) for chapters on fiduciary responsibility, ethics, and civil procedure. She is also a member of the national faculty of the ABA’s Joint Committee on Employee Benefits.

University of Tulsa, 1995, B.A., With Honors
Washington University in St. Louis, 1998, J.D.

Illinois
US Supreme Court
US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
US District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
US District Court for the Central District of Illinois
US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
US District Court for the Western District of Michigan
US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
US District Court for the District of Colorado

Ranked, ERISA Litigation, Nationwide, Chambers USA (2014–2024)

Ranked, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation, Illinois, Chambers USA (2014–2016, 2018–2024)

Leading Lawyer, Labor and employment: ERISA litigation, The Legal 500 US (2018–2024)

Recommended, Labor and employment: ERISA Litigation, The Legal 500 US (2010–2017)

Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Lawyer of the Year, Litigation – ERISA, Chicago (2024)

Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Litigation – ERISA, Chicago (2022–2025)

Leadership Excellence in the Law Award, Illinois Diversity Council (ILDC) (2016)

Chicago 40 Under 40 Rising Stars, National Law Journal (2013)

Member, Practice Group of the Year, Employment, Law360 (2017, 2019)

American Bar Association: Labor and Employment Section, Employee Benefits Committee, Management Co-Chair (2013–present)

American Bar Association: Labor and Employment Section, Employee Benefits Committee, Management Co-Chair, Fiduciary Responsibility Subcommittee (2010–2012)

American Bar Association: Labor and Employment Section, Employee Benefits Committee, Programming Subcommittee (2010–2012)

American Bar Association: Labor and Employment Section, Employee Benefits Committee, Management Co-Chair, Ethics Subcommittee (2008–2010)

American Bar Association: Labor and Employment Section, Employee Benefits Committee, Management Co-Chair, Retention Subcommittee (2006–2008)

American Bar Association: Labor and Employment Section, Employee Benefits Committee, National Faculty for Joint Committee on Employee Benefits (2007–present)

Chair, Chicago Bar Association Employee Benefits Committee (2006–2007)

Vice-Chair, Chicago Bar Association Employee Benefits Committee (2005–2006)

Secretary, Chicago Bar Association Employee Benefits Committee (2004–2005)

Membership Chair, Metropolitan Family Services Metro Board (2006–2008)

ESOP Association (2013–present)

National Center for Employee Ownership (2013–present)