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Deborah Murrell Whelihan, Recognized Professional Liability Attorney, Joins Vorys in Washington, D.C.

Deborah Murrell Whelihan has joined Vorys as a partner in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. She has practiced law for more than 35 years and has significant jury trial and bench trial and appellate experience, which includes more than 30 reported appellate opinions from the D.C. and Maryland federal and state courts.

Whelihan has a complex and diverse litigation and professional liability practice, stemming from her decades of handling insurance defense and insurance coverage matters.

“Debbie is widely respected by both lawyers and judges. In addition, she has a vast and varied professional liability practice,” said Joe Miller, chair of the Vorys litigation group.  “We’re glad she’s decided to join our firm and will expand the capabilities that we can offer to our clients.”

Whelihan defends lawyers, accountants, attorneys, insurance brokers and agencies, physicians, social workers and real estate professionals.  Whelihan has represented numerous attorneys before the Maryland Attorney Grievance Commission, the District of Columbia Board of Professional Responsibility and Bar Counsel, and the Virginia State Bar.  She also represents employers before the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission, the Maryland Human Relations Civil Rights Commissions, the Office of Human Rights of the District of Columbia, and the Virginia Human Rights Commissions.  In addition, Whelihan represents physicians before the Physician Board of Quality Insurance and health care providers before Maryland Health Care Alternative Dispute Resolution Office.  She has also defended real estate agents, brokers, and real estate agencies before the Maryland Real Estate Commission.  Whelihan has also successfully defended insurance agencies and brokers before the Maryland Insurance Commission.

“I’m excited to join a firm with a stellar reputation in litigation, professional liability and employment law,” said Whelihan.  “I’ve had nothing but positive experiences working with Vorys attorneys in the past and am looking forward to working with my new colleagues who have broad and particular expertise in litigation and other areas of the law.”

Whelihan also has significant experience in employment litigation and disputes as well as handling personal injury, premises liability, products liability, commercial, and construction litigation and disputes.  She has defended automobile dealers, trucking companies, and rental car companies from claims of negligence, products liability and consumer protection violations.  She has also represented several religious organizations and educational institutions from claims of sexual misconduct and molestation and claims of discrimination. 

Whelihan is the granddaughter of a legendary criminal trial attorney and the first public defender of the State of Maryland, Alan H. Murrell, Esquire.   

Whelihan received her J.D. from Washington & Lee University and her B.A. cum laude from Dickinson College.

About Vorys: Vorys, established in 1909, has nearly 375 attorneys in eight offices in Ohio, Washington, D.C., Texas, Pennsylvania and California. The firm currently ranks as one of the 200 largest law firms in the United States according to American Lawyer magazine.

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