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DP Resolutions:

When you need a diligent, objective, practical facilitator who achieves results.

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Achieving Resolution Through Strategic Facilitation

Contract Review

Litigation

Debra has been both a plaintiff and defense lawyer in numerous litigation areas. Whether the parties desire to resolve a dispute pre-litigation or the case is well underway, she will objectively dig into the facts and law and guide the parties to a resolution. Debra knows how much time, intellectual capital, and money attorneys invest in the litigation process, their brief writing, and in preparation for trial—she’s been there. Litigants want a mediator who will acknowledge and respect their efforts to present the strongest possible case. They will appreciate Debra’s style because she carefully evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of each party’s case, evidentiary issues, and the litigants’ respective risk tolerance. She will assess case value based on prior settlements/verdicts, the parties’ proofs on economic damages, and/or equitable remedies. Debra will be thorough.

Intra-Entity Challenges & Policy Matters

There are times an entity needs a fresh set of eyes to facilitate resolution of major policy decisions or to solve a challenging intra-entity dispute or issue. Debra thrives on the energy of bringing together all stakeholders and brainstorming solutions. She guided an organization through the exercise of revising more than 125 policies and procedures—tackling the areas of human resources, risk management, safety, security, information technology and finance. She has also collaborated with numerous legislative bodies and governmental entities on important legislation, ordinances and intergovernmental contracts. Debra will listen to all stakeholder viewpoints and concerns, look for common ground to narrow the issues, and guide healthy debate to reach a consensus on issues where there are opposing viewpoints.

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Get to Know Debra Pospiech, Esq.

During her nearly 40-year career in the legal field—20 years as a practicing attorney—Debra has built an impressive resume of experience that includes:

 

  • Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel,
    Detroit Water and Sewerage Department

  • Attorney at Law – Private Practice, Morgan & Meyers, P.C.

  • Staff Attorney – Legal Policy Analyst, City of Detroit - Research and Analysis Division

  • Deputy Treasurer for Tax, City of Detroit, Office of Chief Financial Officer

  • Special Assistant to Carol O'Cleireacain, Deputy Mayor for Economic Policy, Planning & Strategy, City of Detroit

  • Director of Policy to Detroit City Council President Pro-Tem Gary Brown

  • Chief of Policy to Detroit City Council Member Sheila M. Cockrel

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Debra has an incomparable breadth of knowledge in numerous areas of law including constitutional issues, construction law, contract disputes, defamation, discrimination, employment law, governmental immunity, nuisance, personal injury, probate, property law, product liability, rate setting, real property, and whistleblower. She had the privilege of working with two great champions in the plaintiff litigation arena, Courtney Morgan and Jeffrey Meyers, on numerous multi-million-dollar cases. Also, she served the residents and businesses of Detroit by representing the water and sewerage department as general counsel, encompassing all areas of law on plaintiff and defense side, as well as negotiating contracts.   


Debra had the honor of working for Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and for Gary Brown in his roles as Detroit City Council President Pro-Tem and as Director of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department. She proudly served the City of Detroit, its residents, and businesses setting and reforming important tax and public policy, and drafting ordinances and legislation related to lead remediation, scrap metal, stormwater management, water affordability, and city taxes. She has negotiated and drafted numerous intergovernmental agreements, and has worked on lobbying
and advocacy activities.   

  

Her interest in public policy carried over into volunteer activities, where Debra served as a facilitator and board member for Citizen Detroit, a non-profit organization focusing on voter education and engagement, civil discourse, and public policy decision-making.  

  

Personal 

With her husband Richard’s strong support, Debra completed her bachelor and law degrees while they raised their two children—their son Richard who is a professional mechanical engineer and daughter Jessica who is a family law attorney. The biggest joy and blessing in her life is her rainbow grandson, Barrett Parker, born in March of 2022. 

  

When she’s not caring for family or catching up on nerd reading (a good biography or political junkie materials beat out fiction every time), you will find Debra in her
happy place—her garden.

 

Education

  • Bachelor of Science Degree from Madonna University, with highest honors

  • Law Degree from Wayne State University

  • Licensed to Practice in Michigan and U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan

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Crain’s Notables in General Counsel 2022

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