Deborah Fertel has been with Katz, Friedman since 1985. Her practice focuses primarily on representing injured workers in their workers' compensation claims. She is one of the attorneys in our office who specialize in handling airline claims. Debbie has been active in promoting education on workers' compensation issues by speaking to client groups and giving seminars. Debbie is also the recent past Chair of the Workers' Compensation Committee of the Chicago Bar Association and a member of several other bar associations, including the Workers' Compensation Lawyers' Association, the Women's Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. Debbie also handles claims for Social Security disability benefits and has been an arbitrator for the Cook County Mandatory Arbitration system since 1990. Prior to joining Katz, Friedman, she practiced in the area of personal injury litigation where she conducted bench and jury trials.

Debbie earned her Juris Doctorate from Washington University School of Law. There she was a member of one of the law reviews. Debbie is admitted to practice in Illinois and before the Northern District of Illinois. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Outside of Katz, Friedman, Debbie has volunteered for many organizations including the Anti-Defamation League and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She is an avid reader and is a member of a book group. Debbie also loves spending time with her husband and her twins.