I am dedicated to the overall success of clients for maximum monetary results, as well as assisting them to return to a successful life after their injuries
I am dedicated to the overall success of our clients for maximum medical recovery and maximum monetary results, as well as assisting them to return to a successful life after their injuries.
The Chair of the Workers’ Compensation and Insurance Group at Joseph, Greenwald and Laake, Debora Fajer-Smith has over 35 years of experience in representing people injured in auto or workplace accidents, and those suffering occupational injury or death. Debora is a passionate advocate for her clients’ rights and takes pride in being able to put severely injured people back on the path to independence, whether through obtaining a lump sum, medical treatment or lining up vocational training for a new job.
Debora’s experience, creativity and skill have made her both a formidable courtroom opponent and an excellent negotiator who has obtained favorable settlements and awards for thousands of clients over three decades of practicing law.
She has represented multi-generations of families and her clients are very loyal, referring coworkers and friends.
Debora is a plaintiff attorney in Maryland with national recognition, named to the American Bar Association College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers. She has served as an appointed public member on the Senate-House Oversight Committee in the Maryland Legislature on Workers’ Compensation and Insurance for many years. She was awarded several litigant and leader in law awards such as Best Lawyers and Bench Mark Top Litigators.
She has traveled as citizen-ambassador to the Middle East, Asia, Europe, Africa and Latin America. Debora is fluent in conversational French and in Portuguese, her native language. She believes in giving back to the community she serves. For this, the Daily Record named her to the Top 100 Women of the Year in Maryland for 2007 and again in 2014. She served 9 years as President of the Maryland Sister States Board under the office of the Secretary of State of Maryland. She served on the University System of Maryland Foundation Executive Board as chairman of the committee on directors.
Debora founded her own law firm in 1988, where she served as managing principal for 21 years, until joining Joseph, Greenwald & Laake. Her law career was chronicled in the book The Road to Independence, produced by the American Bar Association’s Commission on Women in the Profession. She has led a lifetime believing in mentoring children and young lawyers.
Debora believes whether she’s in Maryland practicing law or in Rio de Janeiro working with a school for disadvantaged children, “it’s all about lifting the lives of others so they can prosper.”
In her private time, Debora enjoyed being a private pilot and raising her two sons.
Practice areas
Languages spoken
English, Spanish, Portuguese, French
Joseph Greenwald & Laake
6404 Ivy Ln Ste 400
Greenbelt, MD, 20770-1417
Joseph Greenwald & Laake, Pa
111 Rockville, MD
Rockville, MD, 20850
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
DC | Active | 1985 | 10/14/2017 |
MD | Active | 1985 | 12/30/2020 |
Legal answers | 0 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
---|---|---|
Distinguished | Martindale-Hubbell | 2020 |
Best Lawyer | Best Lawyers | 2019 |
Top 100 Trial Lawyers | National Trial Lawyers | 2019 |
Top 100 Trial Lawyers | National Trial Lawyers | 2015 |
Maryland's Top 100 Women Award | Maryland Daily Record | 2014 |
Leadership in Law Award | Maryland Daily Record | 2014 |
---|---|---|
Top 150 Plantiff Women Lawyers | Benchmark Litigation | 2013 |
Maryland's Top 100 Women Award | Maryland Daily Record | 2007 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Prince George's County Bar Association, Workers' C | Chair | 2005 - Present |
Maryland State Bar Association, Judicial Nominating Committee for Price George's County | Member | 2005 - Present |
Maryland State Bar Association | Member | 1985 - Present |
District of Columbia Bar | Member | 1985 - Present |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
American Bar Association Publication | The Road to Independence - 101 Women Featured | 2011 |
Book | The Maryland Automobile Accident Desk Book, 2nd Edition / Co-Editor | 2002 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of Maryland School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1984 |
University of Maryland | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1981 |
Harvard Kennedy School of Executive Education | Seminar - Global Women in Power | N/A |
Posted by Marion
Tue Dec 01 2020
Posted by Sean
Tue Nov 03 2020
Posted by Monty
Mon Oct 26 2020
Posted by dolores
Sun Jul 05 2020
Michael McGraw, Workers compensation Attorney on Jan 26, 2021
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I've known Debora for over a decade and she is a wonderful lawyer. She is caring, compassionate, and works hard to get her clients the results they deserve. I highly recommend Debora to anyone with a workers compensation case in Maryland or the District of Columbia.