Morgan Lewis
  • Home
  • >
  • Deborah S. Davidson

Deborah S. Davidson

Partner

Deborah S. Davidson represents plan sponsors, trustees, fiduciaries, service providers, and other clients facing a range of employee benefits litigation around the United States. Co-chair of the firm’s ERISA litigation practice, she has a particular focus on class and multiparty actions, including those arising under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). She counsels clients facing litigation through trial, as well as with appellate matters. Deborah has been recognized nationally for ERISA litigation by Chambers, and she served as national management co-chair of the Employee Benefits Committee of the American Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Law Section from 2013–2015. Deborah was selected by the Illinois Diversity Council (ILDC) as one of its 2016 Leadership Excellence in the Law award recipients.

Extended Profile

In her benefits litigation practice, Deborah handles claims covering a host of issues. These include employer securities and employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), retirement plan investments, plan fees and expenses, church plans, retirement and health plan service providers, retiree medical benefits, health and welfare plan issues, early retirement programs, severance plans, top-hat plans, alleged cutback or elimination of accrued benefits, claims to recover plan benefits, and other claims. Deborah also counsels clients on risk management including a variety of benefits issues.

Deborah 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.

Education

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

Admissions

  • Illinois
  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • US Courts of Appeals for the Fourth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Circuits
  • US District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • US District Courts for the Central and Northern Districts of Illinois
  • US District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan
  • US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
  • US District Court for the District of Colorado

Awards and Affiliations

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

Recognized by the Illinois Diversity Council (ILDC) as one of its 2016 Leadership Excellence in the Law award recipients

Ranked, ERISA Litigation, Nationwide, Chambers USA (2014–2019)

Ranked, Labor & Employment: Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation, Illinois, Chambers USA (2014–2016, 2018, 2019)

Leading Lawyer, Labor and employment: ERISA litigation, The Legal 500 US (2018, 2019)

Recommended, ERISA Litigation, The Legal 500 US (2010–2017)

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

Recognized, Who’s Who Legal (2016)

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 (2006–08)

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 (2006–07)

Vice-Chair, Chicago Bar Association Employee Benefits Committee (2005–06)

Secretary, Chicago Bar Association Employee Benefits Committee (2004–05)

Membership Chair, Metropolitan Family Services Metro Board (2006–08)

ESOP Association (2013–present)

National Center for Employee Ownership (2013–present)

News