Debra brings considerable expertise to Spencer West from three decades practicing corporate law in Silicon Valley.
Debra serves as trusted advisor to public and private companies, entrepreneurs, financial advisors, investment banks, and venture capital.
Debra also assists in family law cases, with a focus on division of corporate assets and securities and high conflict cases.
Debra has been widely recognised for her contributions in the law. In 2023, Debra was named Securities & Capital Markets Attorney of the Year (Northern California) by the New World Report. In 2022, she was listed in “Top 50 Women Leaders of San Francisco.” She was awarded Lawyers Monthly’s “Women in Law Award for Investments and Private Equity for 2021,” the Women of Influence Award (Silicon Valley 2016) and Bizwomen’s “Women to Watch for 2016.”
Debra volunteers actively in the community. She co-chaired the Legal Clinics Committee of the San Mateo County Bar Association (SMCBA), in 2021 and 2022, which provides pro bono support to improve access to legal services in underserved communities. She supports organisations creating opportunities for women. She chaired the Women Lawyers’ Section of the SMCBA in 2020. Among her many initiatives, she co-founded The Athena Alliance, was founder and director of the LabGirls STEM Initiative, and contributed a chapter to the notable essay collection entitled “Changing Tides: Powerful Strategies for Female Founders” (2018).