Law Offices of Sher Garner Cahill Richter Klein & Hilbert, L.L.C.

Contact us to schedule an initial consultation.

504-299-2100 

Contact us to schedule an initial consultation.
504-299-2100 
Law Offices of Sher Garner Cahill Richter Klein & Hilbert, L.L.C.
Experienced Representation And Effective Solution
Photo of Debra J. Fischman

Debra J. Fischman

  • Member

Contact Me:

(504) 299-2109

Biography

Ms. Fischman is a member in the Firm’s Litigation Section defending school districts and the Louisiana Department of Education through the Recovery School District as well as other governmental bodies and agencies and private employers throughout the State of Louisiana in employment and professional liability matters consisting of wrongful termination, breach of contract, breach of tenure laws, retaliation, racial and gender discrimination, violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Age and Discrimination in Employment Act, Title VII (sexual, racial and gender discrimination and harassment), Title IX, and other wrongful acts; toxic tort, commercial litigation, and personal injury litigation. Ms. Fischman has successfully handled numerous medical malpractice matters over her long career.

Ms. Fischman is a member of the Association of Women Attorneys; Louisiana State Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section; New Orleans Bar Association; Federal Bar Association; and Bar Association of the United States of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. She has been admitted to practice in the State of Louisiana since 1978 and she has additionally been admitted to practice in the United States District Courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana, the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.

Representative Cases

  • Twiggs v. University of Holy Cross, 2021 WL 3077363 (E.D.La.)
  • White v. Sherwin-Williams Co., 2020 WL2812865 (E.D.La.)
  • Cormeum Lab Services, LLC v. Coastal Laboratories, Inc., 2021 WL 3077309 (E.D.La.)
  • Riley v. Cantrell, 2021 WL 2680211 (E.D.La.)
  • Lafaye v. City of New Orleans, 2021 WL 886118 (E.D.La.)
  • Cormeum Lab Services, LLC v. Coastal Laboratories, Inc., 2021 WL 5405219 (E.D.La.)
  • Sempiterno In Motion, LLC v. Cajun 417, LLC, 2020 WL 5017667 (E.D.La.)
  • Lafaye v. City of New Orleans, 2020 WL 7000861 (E.D.La.Schaefer v. Parish, Fed.Appx. 789, 2020 WL 4640569 (La. App. 5th Cir. 2020)
  • Mestayer v. City of New Orleans, 2020 WL 3429826 (E.D.La.)
  • Orleans Parish School Board v. City of New Orleans, So.3d, 2020 WL 2897271 (La. App. 4th Cir. 2020)
  • St. Bernard Parish Government v. Perniciaro, So.3d, 2020 WL 1173569 (La. App. 4th Cir. 2020)
  • White v. Sherwin-Williams Co., 2020 WL 1064939 (E.D.La.)
  • Deep South Center for Environmental Justice v. Council of City of New Orleans, So.3d, 2020 WL 714492 (La.App. 4th Cir. 2020)
  • Deep South Center for Environmental Justice v. Council of City of New Orleans, So.3d, 2020 WL 714492 (La. App. 4th Cir. 2020)
  • Schaefer v. Peralta, 2019 WL 5191000 (E.D.La.)
  • Ellis v. McDonald, So.3d 982, 2019 WL 454487 (La. App. 5th Cir. 2020)
  • Alexander v. Blue Williams, L.L.P., So.3d, 2019 WL 302078 (La. App. 4th Cir. 2019)
  • National Liability & Fire Ins. Co. v. Katrina's Transp. LLC, 2018 WL 7199629 (E.D.La.)
  • Robin v. Weeks Marine, Inc., 2018 WL 5980417 (E.D.La)
  • Perniciaro v. McInnis, 2018 WL 4403981 (La. App. 4th Cir.)
  • New Orleans Fire Fighters Pension and Relief Fund v. City of New Orleans, So.3d 682 (La. App. 4th Cir. 2018)
  • Angelicare, LLC v. St. Bernard Parish, 2018 WL 1172947 (E.D.La)
  • Schaefer v. Peralta, 2017 WL 6055153 (E.D.La)
  • Ripoll v. Dobard, So.3d 2017 WL 4803878 (La. App. 4th Cir.)
  • Ichikawa v. DSW Shoe Warehouse, Inc., 2017 WL 2964009 (E.D.La)
  • Dillenkofer v. Marrero Day Care Center, Inc., 221 So.3d 279 16-713 (La. App. 5th Cir. 2017)
  • Jefferson Community Health Care Centers, Incorporated v. Jefferson Parish Government, 849 F.3d 615 , 2017, La. App. 5th Cir.
  • Ichikawa v. DSW Shoe Warehouse, Inc., WL 568812, 2017, E.D.La
  • Antonetti v. Bourbon 735, LLC, WL 5869791, 2017, E.D.La
  • Jefferson Community Health Care Centers, Inc. v. Jefferson Parish Government, 2016 WL 3997025, E.D.La
  • Ripoll v. Dobard, 618 Fed.Appx. 188 (La. App. 5th Cir. 2015); 618 Fed.Appx. 188, 2015 WL4257450, 2015 Fair Empl.Prac.Cas. (BNA) 186, 193, 323 Ed. Law Rep 705 (14-30445)
  • Louisiana Pigment Co., L.P. v. Air Liquide America, L.P., 149 So.3d 997 , 2014, La. App. 3d Cir.
  • New Orleans Fire Fighters Pension and Relief Fund v. City of New Orleans, 150 So.3d 997, 2014, La. App. 3rd Cir.
  • Shale Consulting, LLC v. Wilson, 2014 WL 4662120, E.D.La
  • St. Charles Land Co. II, L.L.C. v. City of New Orleans ex rel. New Orleans Aviation Bd., 2015 WL 3853037, La.
  • New Orleans Fire Fighters Pension and Relief Fund v. City of New Orleans, 150 So.3d 917 , 2014, La. App. 4th Cir.
  • Shale Consulting, LLC v. Wilson, 2014 WL 3908592 , Ed. La.
  • Corner v. Housing Authority New Orleans, 2014 WL 3908592 , Ed. La.
  • Youngblood v. Rain CII Carbon LLC, 2014 WL 2547588 , W.D. La.
  • Ripoll v. Dobard, No. 13-6143, 2014 WL 1389659, 2014, E.D. La., WL 1389659
  • Dennis Melancon, Inc. v. City of New Orleans, No. 12-1337, 2014 WL 1117881, 2014, E.D. La.
  • New Orleans Fire Fighters Pension and Relief Fund v. City of New Orleans, 131 So.3d 412, 2013, La. App. 4th Cir.
  • First Bank and Trust v. Treme, 129 So.3d 605, 2013, La. App. 5th Cir.
  • Shale Consultants, L.L.C. v. Wilson, No. 13-1124, 2013 WL 4750066, 2013, W.D. La.
  • Orleans Parish School Bd. v. Lexington Ins. Co., 123 So.3d 787, 2013, La. App. 4th Cir.
  • O'Reilly v. Louisiana Dept. of Educ., No. 11-1454, WL3270443, 2013, E.D. La.
  • Orleans Parish School Bd. v. Lexington Ins. Co., 118 So.3d 1203, 2013, La. App. 4th Cir.
  • Dennis Melancon, Inc. v. City of New Orleans, Nos. 12–1337, 12–1909, 12–1964–EEF–SS, WL 588975, 2013, E.D. La.
  • Dennis Melancon, Inc. v. City of New Orleans, Nos. 12–1337, 12–1909, 12–1964–EEF–SS, WL 588982, 2013, E.D. La.
  • Dennis Melancon, Inc. v. City of New Orleans, 703 F.3d 262, 2012, 5th Cir.
  • Marshall v. Air Liquide-Big Three, Inc., So.3d, 2012, La.App. 4 Cir.
  • Dennis Melancon, Inc. v. City of New Orleans, F.Supp.2d, 2012, E.D. La.
  • Orleans Parish School Bd. v. Lexington Ins. Co., 95 So.3d 1205, 2012, La.App. 4 Cir.
  • Williams vs. Recovery School District, --- F.Supp.2d ----, 2012 WL 893421, E.D.La., 2012
  • Orleans Parish School Bd. v. Lexington Ins. Co., 76 So.3d 592, 2011 WL 4582442, 275 Ed. Law Rep. 492, 2011-0009, 2011, La.App. 4 Cir.
  • Phillips v. Louisiana State Office of Governor, 433. Fed.Appx. 235, 2011 WL 2847452, C.A.5 (La.), 2011
  • Trahan v. Drury Hotels Co., LLC, F.Supp.2d, 2011 WL 2470982, E.D.La., June 20, 2011, 2011
  • Becker v. Murphy Oil Corp., ---So.3d---, 2011 WL 2164151, 2010-1519, 2011, La.App. 4 Cir.
  • Orleans Parish School Bd. v. Pastorek, 56 So.3d, 2011 WL 193455, 2010-1709 , 2011, La.App. 4 Cir.
  • Versai Management Corporation, d/b/a Versailles Arms Apartments v. Clarendon America Insurance Company, et al, 08-30874, 2010, C.A. 5
  • Flettrich v. Touro Infirmary, 13 So.3d 1196, 2009 WL 1464966, 2007-1621, 2009, La. App. 4 Cir.
  • Marshall ex rel. minor children v. Air Liquide-Big Three, Inc., 2 So.3d 541, 2008 WL 5263857, 2008-0668, 2008, La. App. 4th Cir.
  • Omega Center for Pain Management, L.L.C. v. Omega Institute of Health, Inc., 975 So.2d48, 2007, La. App. 5 Cir.
  • Nassar v. Academy Sports & Outdoors, 277 Fed. Appx. 392, 2007, 5th Cir.(Miss.)
  • Larroquette v. Cardinal Health 200, Inc., 466 F.3d 373, 2006, 5th Cir. (La.)
  • Dumas v. Christian Health Ministries, 181 Fed. Appx. 433, 2006, 5th Cir. (La.)
  • Broussard v. Jester, 876 So.2d 940, 2004, La. App. 3 Cir
  • International Chemical Workers Union v. Columbian Chemicals Co., 331 F.3d 491, 2003, 5h Cir.(La.)
  • Arriola v. Orleans Parish School Board, reversed, 809 So. 2d 932, writ granted, 2002, La.
  • Arriola v. Orleans Parish School Board, 799 So.2d. 488, 2001, La.
  • Arriola v. Orleans Parish School Board, 789 So.2d 64, 2001, La. App. 4 Cir
  • Ross v. Conoco, Inc., 805 So.2d 352, 2001, La. App. 3 Cir.
  • Yourick Lavine, Jr., Mrs. Cynthia Lavine and Harry Bonvillain v. Redgies Jackson, Calvin Cooks, Mike Lausen, John Doe, City of Thibodaux, Thibodaux Police Department and Titan Indemnity Company, 730 So.2d 958, 1998, La. App. 1st Cir., 1999028008
  • Allo v. Horne, 672 So.2d 961, 1996, La. App. 5 Cir., 1996069508
  • Allo v. Horne, 636 So.2d 1048, 1994, La. App. 3 Cir., 1994084026
  • Doyle v. Titan Indem. Co., 692 So.2d 516, 1993, La. App. 5 Cir.
  • McElreath v. Progressive Ins. Co., 595 So.2d 693, 1992, La. App. 5 Cir., 1992047097
  • Lewis v. Time Saver Stores, Inc., 599 So.2d 442, 1992, La. App. 4 Cir
  • Roberts v. Murphy Oil Corp., 577 So.2d 308, 1991, La. App. 4 Cir.
  • Miller v. State, 572 So.2d 197, 1990, La.App 1 Cir.
  • Cooper v. Ceco Corp., 558 So.2d 1355, 1990, La. App. 4 Cir., 1990050526
  • Rogers v. Janzen, 891 F.2d 95, 1989, C.A.5 (La.)
  • Lowe v. Patterson, 492 So.2d 110, 1986, La. App. 1 Cir., 1986134650
  • Ben Glazer Co., Inc. v. Tharp-Sontheimer-Tharp, Inc., 491 So.2d 722, 1986, La. App. 4 Cir., 1986129739
  • Locascio v. Maurice, 447 So.2d 6, 1984, La. App. 4 Cir.
  • Brooks v. Rosiere, 585 F. Supp. 351, 1984, E.D. La.
  • Delaney v. Giarrusso, 633 F.2d 1126, 1981, C.A.5 (La.)
  • Metropolitan New Orleans Chapter of Louisiana Consumers' League, Inc. v. Council of City of New Orleans, 391 So.2d 878, 1980, La. App. 4 Cir., 1980147562
  • Arthurs v. Morial, 383 So.2d 444, 1980, La. App. 4 Cir.
  • League of Women Voters of New Orleans v. City of New Orleans, 381 So.2d 441, 1980, La.
  • Baker v. Bell, 630 F.2d 1046, 1980, C.A.5 (La.)
  • Acorn v. City of New Orleans, 377 So.2d 1206, 1979, La., 1979139261
  • Gordon v. City of New Orleans, 371 So.2d 768, 1979, La., 1979132729
  • Cheatham v. City of New Orleans, 378 So.2d 369, 1979, La.
  • HMC Management v. New Orleans Basketball Club, 375 So.2d 712, 1979, La. App. 4 Cir.

Honors

  • Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigator in America, 2024
  • Best Lawyers in America since 2012, with special designations in Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants & Plaintiffs, 2012 – 2023
  • Louisiana Super Lawyer, 2010-2012 and 2014-2023
  • Top 100 List of the Nation's Most Powerful Employment Attorneys, Human Resource Executive, 2014 - 2016
  • Martindale Hubbell - Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers, 2011
  • Chambers and Partners: Labor and Employment Law, 2010-2012
  • CityBusiness Women of the Year, 2010
  • 2023 Best Lawyers Award

Classes & Seminars

  • Time Sheets & Billing, New Orleans Bar Association, 2016 - Present
  • Fundamentals of Employment Law, Sterling Education Services, 09/09/2015
  • As the World Turns – the Evolution of Labor and Employment Law, Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel, 08/28/2015
  • Time Sheets & Billing, New Orleans Bar Association, 08/28/2015
  • Difficult Issues Involving ADA/FMLA Leaves and Absences - 6th Biennial Labor & Employment Conference, Federal Bar Association - Labor and Employment Section, March 3, 2015
  • Fundamentals of Employment Law: FLSA/Wage and Hour Critical Issues, Sterling Education Services, 09/10/2014
  • Magnum PI: Winning the Big Personal Injury Case - Defending the Big Case from Start to Finish, Louisiana State Bar Association, 10/11/2013
  • Better Billing Practices at Big Easy Boot Camp, New Orleans Bar Association, 10/19/2012
  • Employment Law Update Beyond the Basics, Sterling Education Services, Inc., 12/14/2011
  • Lawfully Managing Student Records Without Violating Privacy Rights, NBI Seminar, 12/09/2011
  • Big Easy Bootcamp, New Orleans Bar Association, 10/14/2011
  • Preparing A Witness, New Orleans Bar Association, 10/15/2009
  • Louisiana Athletic Trainer's Association Summer 2008 Symposium: Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Athletics, 2008
  • Hot Topic: Employment Liability and Insurance, 04/13/2005
  • Recent Developments In Employment Law: What Human Resource Professionals and Attorneys Handling Employment Matters Need to Know - NOW!, Sterling Education Services, LLC, 01/29/2003
  • Guest Panelist on "It's the Law" on local cable television

Professional Associations

  • Newcomb Institute Director’s Advisory Council, Member, 2021-Present
  • Louisiana Bar Foundation, Fellow, 2008 to Present
  • Anti-Defamation League, Regional Board Member, 2008 to 2014
  • Jewish Children Regional Service, Board Member, 2004 to 2010
  • St. George's Episcopal School, Board of Development, Member, 2000 to 2003
  • Association of Women Attorneys, Member
  • Louisiana State Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section, Member
  • New Orleans Bar Association, Member
  • Federal Bar Association, Member
  • Bar Association of the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Member
  • Jewish Community Center, Board Member, 1994 to 1996
  • Ogden Museum of Southern Art, Trustee, 2022 to Present

Past Positions

  • McGlinchey Stafford, Associate/Partner, 1981 to 1999
  • City of New Orleans, Assistant City Attorney, 1978 to 1981
Sher Garner Cahill Richter Klein & Hilbert, L.L.C. | Recognized by Best Lawyers | 2023
Rated by Super Lawyers | Debra J. Fischman | SuperLawyers.com
Sher Garner Cahill Richter Klein & Hilbert, L.L.C. | Recognized by Best Lawyers | 2022

Practice Areas

  • Employment Law
  • Litigation & Appeals
  • Personal Injury – Defense
  • Personal Injury – Plaintiffs
  • Education Law
  • Business & Commercial Law
  • Labor Law

Education

  • Tulane Law School, New Orleans, Louisiana
    • J.D. - 00/1978
  • Newcomb College of Tulane University, New Orleans
    • B.A. - 1975
    • Honors: magna cum laude
    • Honors: Alpha Lambda Delta
    • Honors: Tulane University Scholar
    • Major: Political Science & Art History

Bar Admissions

  • Louisiana, 1978
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana, 1978
  • U.S. District Court Middle District of Louisiana, 1988
  • U.S. District Court Western District of Louisiana, 1988
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 1980
  • U.S. District Court Southern District of Mississippi, 2005
  • U.S. Supreme Court, 1999