Partner, Atlanta
303 Peachtree Street, NE
Suite 5300
Atlanta, GA 30308

TEL: 404.527.8530
FAX: 404.527.4198
EMAIL: debel@mckennalong.com

PROFILE

Deborah Ebel focuses her entire practice on family law including divorce, modifications of custody and support, contempts, custody disputes, adoptions, paternity and legitimation actions, guardian ad litem cases, child abuse and sexual abuse tort actions, parental rights termination actions and third party custody actions. Deborah also practices in collaborative family law in these areas.

In addition, she practices in the area of employment disputes, breaches of fiduciary duty, business torts, claims brought by disgruntled stockholders, and commercial litigation. Deborah is also a trained arbitrator and mediator in the Superior Courts of Georgia.

During the course of her career, Deborah has received numerous honors and awards. She received the S. Phillip Heiner Award for provision of legal services to indigents and the Guardian Ad Litem of the Year Award from the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation (AVLF). She was also selected as one of Georgia Trend's Legal Elite for 2003, 2004, and 2005, was listed as a Super Lawyer by Atlanta Magazine for 2004 and 2006, and was named by Atlanta Magazine as a Top 50 Female "Georgia Super Lawyer" in 2005 and 2007. Additionally, she is the recipient of the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia Bill of Rights award. Furthermore, Deborah has spoken on the Layman's Lawyer and numerous family law seminars. Most recently, Deborah has been named Recipient of the 2005 American Bar Association Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service, and the Child Custody Pro Bono Project's "Ann Liechty Pro Bono Child Custody Award."

Community Involvement and Pro Bono Activities

Deborah serves as a pro bono coordinator for the firm, and with the AVLF, she co-founded the Guardian Ad Litem Program in the Fulton County Superior Court; she is also a member of the committee drafting revised local rules for the Fulton County Superior Court Family Division related to Guardians Ad Litem. The Guardian Ad Litem program has been emulated by a number of other courts throughout Georgia. Deborah was also the firm's liaison to the Atlanta Project, founded by President Jimmy Carter, from 1992-1993. Deborah is a former Board member and past President of the AVLF. Additionally, she is the organizer of the firm's Disability Rights Project and Summer Unemployment Pro Bono Project in cooperation with the Atlanta Legal Aid Society. Deborah is a past member of the Board of Directors of the American Civil Liberties Union or Georgia.