Portrait of Debbie Petito

Deborah H. Petito

Principal, Practice Group Leader - Labor and Employment

Deborah “Debbie” Petito is a principal attorney in the firm’s Labor & Employment, Estates and Trusts and Litigation Practice Groups.

Debbie has practiced in the labor and employment field for over 35 years. Her practice focuses on all types of employment matters, including employment litigation (discrimination, harassment and wage and hour) in federal and state courts, before state and federal agencies regulating wages and hours of employment and in arbitration proceedings and labor matters (dealing with unions and union-related issues). She acts as an outside employment counsel to several companies in various industries providing advice on an ongoing basis. She also conducts investigations, provides general advice and counsel to employers on employee discipline and termination, wage and hour issues as well as other employment topics. Debbie frequently speaks on labor and employment issues.

In her litigation practice, Debbie represents individual clients and corporate entities, including non-profit corporations, in all types of trust litigation, including defending trustees in petitions to have them removed, challenging gifts to caregivers and last-minute amendments to trusts resulting from undue influence. In addition, she handles financial elder abuse matters and claims against an elder, trustee or beneficiary for unpaid wages by a caregiver.

Representative Matters

  • Successfully settled two class action lawsuits against clients in 2022 in the early stages of the litigation saving the clients substantial fees and costs
  • Obtained large settlement in probate matter in 2022
  • Conducted over 12 investigations of employee claims of discrimination and/or harassment during COVID

    Education

    • Pepperdine Caruso School of Law (J.D.)
    • University of California, Los Angeles (B.A., cum laude)

    State Bar Admissions

    • California

    Court Admissions

    • United States District Court for the Northern District of California
    • United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
    • United States District Court for the Central District of California
    • United States District Court for the Southern District of California
    • United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
    • Supreme Court of the United States

Firm Highlights

  • Events
    RE+ Mid-Atlantic Opportunities: Market Trends and Business Development Tips
    RE+ Mid-Atlantic is where developers, financiers, investors, project buyers, utilities, and technology providers come together to evaluate opportunities, advance transactions, and build relationships that move clean energy projects forward. Whether you're looking to secure financing, identify partners, position projects for sale, or expand your network, the conversations you have at RE+ Mid-Atlantic can have a lasting impact on your business. Join this exclusive webinar, hosted by Offit | Kurman, to preview key topics that will be explored during the event and learn practical strategies for preparing for productive business conversations. By the end of this webinar, attendees will be better equipped to: Discuss emerging trends and opportunities in the regional solar and storage landscape. Learn how to communicate project readiness, regulatory strategy, and development milestones to build investor and buyer confidence. Understand strategies for reducing perceived project risk and strengthening financing conversations. Maximize meetings and networking opportunities at RE+ Mid-Atlantic to advance partnerships, financing, and project sale discussions. Whether you're a developer, investor, project buyer, or business development professional, this webinar will help you arrive at RE+ Mid-Atlantic with the knowledge, messaging, and strategy needed to turn conference conversations into meaningful business opportunities. Speakers: Lindsay Cherry  Director of Regulatory, NineDot Energy Lindsay Cherry is the Director of Regulatory Affairs at NineDot Energy, where she leads efforts at the intersection of clean energy policy, regulation, and distributed energy development. With a background in energy policy and public affairs, Lindsay works closely with regulators, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to advance innovative energy solutions and support the transition to a more resilient and sustainable power grid. She holds a master's degree from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). Matthew Karmel, Esq. Principal, Offit Kurman Matthew Karmel is the Practice Group Leader of Offit Kurman’s Environmental & Sustainability Law Group. He advises businesses, developers, and property owners on environmental compliance, site remediation, renewable energy, sustainability, and environmental risk management. In the renewable energy industry specifically, Matthew leads a national team that handles mergers and acquisitions, site control, land use, permitting, financing, and more.  A recognized leader in the field, Matthew, is a frequent speaker and author on environmental and sustainability issues and serves on the boards of several industry organizations, including the Mid-Atlantic Solar Storage Industries Association. David Murray Director of Business Development, Turning Point Energy David Murray is the Director of Business Development at TurningPoint Energy, where he leads business development efforts in Maryland and emerging markets. With more than 15 years of experience in clean energy and environmental policy, David has held leadership roles with the Chesapeake Solar & Storage Association and the American Clean Power Association, advancing solar energy, land use, and community engagement initiatives. He holds a B.A. in Public Policy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an M.A. in Renewable Energy & Development from the University of Cape Town and currently serves on the boards of the Chesapeake Solar & Storage Association and Wallace Centers of Iowa. Alec Ward Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs, SEIA Alec Ward is Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs at the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), where he represents the solar and energy storage industry before federal agencies on key energy policy issues. He brings extensive experience in clean energy, regulatory affairs, and public policy, having previously led legislative and federal affairs efforts at Ava Community Energy, served at the California Public Utilities Commission, and worked on federal conservation and climate policy initiatives with The Nature Conservancy and congressional campaigns. Alec holds degrees from the University of Virginia and Johns Hopkins University and is based in Richmond, Virginia.