Deborah Potter Photo

Deborah Potter

Attorney
  • Profile
  • Credentials
  • Associations
Bio

Debbie is well known for her $26 million dollar verdict against Ford Motor Company. After serving 12 years on the Court of Appeals Rules Committee, Debbie’s vast experience – with Motor Vehicle Accidents, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Deaths, Nursing Home Negligence and Slips and Falls has led to notable honors and awards. Debbie was selected as one of the Top Women in Law by the American Lawyer Magazine and has been deemed a “SuperLawyer” for eight consecutive years – 2012-2021. She was honored to make the Top 10 Maryland Super Lawyers list in 2021, and has been “Maryland’s Top 100 Women” two times. She was also inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers – one of the premier legal associations in North America – in 2018.

After Graduating from the University of Maryland Law School in 1990 with honors, Debbie became actively involved in a variety of organizations throughout the state including the Anne Arundel Bar Association, where she served as the youngest President in the organization’s history. Debbie formerly served as the first Female President of the University of Maryland Terrapin Club and served on the Board of Trustees of the University of Maryland College Park, Maryland Association for Justice Board of Directors, MYLAW Board, CASA Board, and Prince Georges County Bar Association Board.

Due to her involvement at University Maryland, Debbie is an avid University of Maryland Terps fan who also enjoys watching her daughter Whitney’s dance performances and helping out in her husband’s business, Compass Stone & Tile Studio.

Debbie and her partners take personal injury to heart—so when clients are injured or suffer a loss due to a car crash, medical mistake, neglect, or personal injury—Potter Burnett’s pride will be there with the legal experience, leadership, and proven track record to represent them and their family.

Quote by Debbie

“Reach out and inspire your fellow colleagues, encouraging engagement and involvement to really make a difference in the lives of abused and neglected children. Let your pride, protect theirs.”

Bar Admissions

Maryland
Washington, D.C.

Education

University of Maryland School of Law Baltimore, Maryland, Juris Doctor with Honors – May 1990
University of Maryland College Park, Maryland, B.A. in Economics – May 1987

Involvement

  • Chair, Attorney Grievance Peer Review Panel (2018-present)
  • American College of Trial Lawyers (2018-present)
  • American College of Trial Lawyers Judiciary Committee (2019-present)
  • Maryland State Bar Association, Budget & Finance (2015-2019)
  • Maryland State Bar Association Board of Governors (2000-2001) (2013-2015) (2017-2019)
  • Maryland State Bar Association, Executive Committee (2014-2015) (2017-2019)
  • Maryland State Bar Association Judicial Appointments (2019-2022)
  • Prince Georges Bar Association, Director (2017-2018)
  • CLREP Board Member (2015-2017)
  • University of Maryland Board of Trustees (2007-2017)
  • University of Maryland, Board of Trustees, Exec Comm. (2012-2014)
  • Cal Ripken Foundation, Uncorked Committee (2015-present)
  • Court of Appeals Rules Committee (2000-2012)
  • Court of Appeals Professionalism Committee (2003-2007)
  • University of Maryland Law School Alumni Board (2007-2010)
  • President, University of Maryland Law School Alumni Board (2009)
  • Maryland Association for Justice, Board of Governors (2012-present)
  • Athletic Campaign Council (2006-2008)
  • President, Anne Arundel Bar Association (1999-2000)
  • Anne Arundel Bar Association Trustee (1993-2002) (2010-2014) (2017-2019)
  • Anne Arundel Judicial Nominating Commission (1998-2002)
  • President, Anne Arundel County Bar Foundation (1998-1999)
  • Leadership Academy, Maryland State Bar Association (1997-1998)
  • President, University of Maryland Terrapin Club (2003-2004)
  • Co-Chair, Barristers Ball (2000-2006)
  • University of Maryland Terrapin Club Board Member (1999-2005)
  • CASA of Anne Arundel County Board Member (1997-2002), (2011-2014)
  • University of Maryland Alumni Association Board Member (2004-2006)
  • Co-Chair, Legal Aid Campaign Anne Arundel County (2002-2005)
  • University of Maryland Hall of Fame Selection Committee (2001-2002)
  • Mock Trial Coach, Northeast High School (1999-2001)
  • Board Member, Summit School (1998-2001)
  • Board Member, Ballet Theatre Annapolis (1991-1996)
  • CASA, Founding Board Member

Honors and Awards

  • Maryland Bar Foundation Award for Legal Excellence in the Advancement of Professional Competence (2022)
  • American College of Trial Lawyers (2018-present)
  • Super Lawyers, Top 10 Maryland Super Lawyers (2021)
  • Super Lawyers, Top 50 Women in Law (2018-2021)
  • Super Lawyers, Top 100 Super Lawyers (2018-2021)
  • Daily Record Leadership in the Law Award (2017)
  • Trial Lawyer of the Year (2017), MAJ
  • Super Lawyer (2007-2021)
  • Prince George’s County Bar Association President’s Award (2016)
  • CASA, Generous Heart Award (2016)
  • The Daily Record, Top 100 Women (2010 & 2015)
  • Anne Arundel Bar Association Trustees Award (2013)
  • Women Leaders in the Law, American Lawyer Magazine (2012 & 2013)
  • The Daily Record Top 100 Women (2010)
  • Justice For All Award (2007)
  • Anne Arundel Bar Association Trustees Award (2003)
  • Ed Shea Professionalism Award of the Maryland State Bar Association (2002)

Presentations and Publications

  • Speaker, Maryland Association Justice Convention (2019)
  • Seminar Speaker, Non-Economic Damages (2017, 2018)
  • Maryland Association for Justice – Case Debrief (2017)
  • Keenan Trial Institute – MIST Seminar – Atlanta, GA (2017)
  • Prince George’s Bar Association – Jury Selection (2016)
  • Maryland Association for Justice – Mock Civil Trial (2016)
  • Maryland Association for Justice – Opening Statements (2016)
  • Maryland Association for Justice – Auto Neg Day (2015)
  • Maryland Association for Justice – Keenan Seminar (2014)
  • Anne Arundel Bar Association – A Civil Trial (2013)
Awards
  • American College of Trial Lawyers
    American College of Trial Lawyers
  • Super Lawyers
    Super Lawyers
  • Avvo 10.0
    Avvo 10.0
  • American Board of Trial Advocates
    American Board of Trial Advocates
  • The Daily Record Top 100 Women
    The Daily Record Top 100 Women
  • Maryland Association of Justice
    Maryland Association of Justice
  • MSBA
    MSBA
  • Super Lawyers - Top 50 Women
    Super Lawyers - Top 50 Women
  • Super Lawyers
    Super Lawyers
  • Super Lawyers - 15 Years
    Super Lawyers - 15 Years
  • Super Lawyers - Top 10
    Super Lawyers - Top 10
  • Super Lawyers 2022
    Super Lawyers 2022
  • Super Lawyers 2023
    Super Lawyers 2023
  • Top 10: 2023 Maryland Super Lawyers
    Top 10: 2023 Maryland Super Lawyers

Words About Deborah

Clients Share Their Stories
    I was always informed of where we were with the process

    “Just wanted to take a moment and share with everyone how happy I was with my experience with Debbie Potter and her cracker jack team. I was always informed of where we were with the process and ...”

    - Bob Dyer
    Awesome lady!

    “The Potter Burnett Law firm are a set of professional and thorough group of individuals who will represent and defend you to the max. Deborah Potter has represented me for years, and has never let me ...”

    - Niyi Gbadamosi
    Dedicated, loyal and will fight for you!

    “If you desire an attorney that is dedicated, loyal and will fight for you, then Deborah Potter at Potter Burnett Law is the firm you need in your corner.”

    - Michell Jackson
    Debbie Potter was an incredible resource!

    “My experience with Potter Burnett Law was remarkable. Debbie Potter was an incredible resource, ally, and friend through the entire process. She’s the lion you want in your corner and she is ...”

    - Jessica Protasio
    Compassionate attorneys

    “I’ve worked with Debbie Potter a few years ago and recently with Potter Burnett, and it has been a pleasure to work with such compassionate attorneys during such a difficult time. They communicated ...”

    - Ingrid Wade

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