Deborah H. Petito

Deborah (Debbie) Petito is a shareholder in the Labor & Employment, Trusts and Estates and Litigation practice groups. She handles all types of employment matters, including employment litigation (discrimination, harassment and wage and hour) 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.  In addition, she handles trust litigation matters, including financial elder abuse matters, and claims against an elder, trustee or beneficiary for unpaid wages by a caregiver.

In the employment area, Ms. Petito represents public and private sector employment clients in all types of labor and employment matters including representation in federal and state courts, before state and federal agencies regulating wages and hours of employment, and in arbitration proceedings.  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.  She provides training and regularly speaks on labor and employment topics.

In the trust litigation area, Ms. Petito represents both individual and entities, including non-profit corporations, in challenges to trusts, including gifts to caregivers and last minute amendments to trusts which are the result of undue influence.  Ms. Petito also represents clients in procuring court approved amendments to Trusts to ensure the intent of the trustor is accurately set forth in the trust.  This includes representing trustees and obtaining court approval for a trust to hold an asset, such as real property, which has unique value to the trust even though it represents a large percentage of the trust’s assets.

In the elder care area, Ms. Petito represents elders who are the victims of financial elder abuse and individuals and entities accused of financial elder abuse. She has litigated several cases and resolved others without the need for litigation.

Ms. Petito also represent individuals and entities in defending against employment claims made by caregivers which is a crossover between her trust and employment experience.  These cases typically arise as wage and hour claims.

Ms. Petito brings experience and compassion to the cases she handles, regardless of the type of case, and works to obtain the best result for her client.

Prior to joining Clark & Trevithick, Debbie was an associate and partner at her previous firm for over 20 years.