Practice Areas
Debra Bogo-Ernst is a partner in Willkie's Litigation Department and Chair of the National Class Action Litigation Practice. She is based in Willkie's Chicago office.
With over 25 years of experience, Deb represents a broad range of national and international organizations in class actions and other high-stakes, complex litigation in the areas of autos, financial services, insurance, privacy, products liability, and telecommunications. These cases involve the alphabet soup of statutory claims, privacy, unfair and deceptive trade practices, false advertising, safety and efficacy issues, false claims, government programs, fair housing and discrimination, civil conspiracy, and fraud-related claims. She also handles a variety of government investigations, regulatory matters, and enforcement actions involving state attorneys general, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Department of Justice, and other state agencies. Deb often assists clients in navigating Consent Orders and other government settlements, including through the use of independent consultants. She also defends companies in a wide variety of complex commercial litigation, including bet-the-company risks and business-to-business disputes, and she has significant bench and jury trial experience.
Deb received her JD, from University of Illinois College of Law in 2000 and a BA from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, in 1997.
Professional Memberships
Metropolitan Family Services, Executive Committee & Board Member
Civic Consulting Alliance, Board Member
American Bar Association, Class Actions & Derivative Suits Committee
Awards
General Commercial Litigation (Illinois), Chambers USA
Notable Woman in Law, Crain's Chicago Business, 2024, 2022
Who's Who list, Crain's Chicago Business, 2023
4th Annual Top Women in Law, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin/Chicago Lawyer, 2023