Deborah I. Ecker is a partner with Brody, Hardoon, Perkins and Kesten, LLP. Ms. Ecker has conducted numerous jury trials in Massachusetts Superior Courts and in the United States District Court. She has also argued appellate matters before the Massachusetts Appeals Court and the Supreme Judicial Court, and has appeared before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination.

Practice Areas

Ms. Ecker’s practice areas include municipal liability, employment law, general liability and construction law. In her municipal liability practice, Ms. Ecker has handled matters including:

• employment law, including the defense of discrimination cases involving whistleblower and wrongful termination claims
• constitutional law, including civil rights and First Amendment issues
• land use, including eminent domain and matters brought before Town Zoning and Planning Boards

In her employment law practice, Ms. Ecker has successfully represented plaintiffs and defendants in employment discrimination claims and regularly provides pre-litigation counseling to public and private employers about employment related matters. In her municipal practice, Ms. Ecker has represented various boards against civil rights lawsuits based on their land use decisions. Ms. Ecker also represents private clients in a variety of general liability and construction cases, including construction defect claims.

Prior Experience

Ms. Ecker joined Brody, Hardoon, Perkins and Kesten following eight years as an Assistant Attorney General in the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General. As an Assistant Attorney General in the Trial Division, Ms. Ecker defended the Commonwealth in all phases of litigation involving employment law, constitutional law, regulatory construction, and tort claims. During her appointment as Special Assistant Attorney General for Health Care, Ms. Ecker coordinated the Attorney General’s health care agenda and prosecuted civil and criminal matters related to health care. In the Regulated Industries Division, Ms. Ecker handled rate case litigation before administrative tribunals involving regulated industries.

Education

Ms. Ecker graduated from the University of Vermont and received her law degree from Boston University School of Law in 1989.

Professional and Community Affiliations

Ms. Ecker is admitted to the bar in Massachusetts and the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Ms. Ecker belongs to the Massachusetts Bar Association. She is a member of the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Institutional Review Board.