Deborah Luxenberg
Deborah Luxenberg, founding principal of Luxenberg & Johnson, PC, is one of Washington DC’s top family law and divorce attorneys, consistently earning superior ratings from clients and peers. Her AVVO rating is “superb” and she has been awarded an AV “Preeminent” rating by Martindale-Hubbell.
Luxenberg is known for her deep compassion for her clients, as well as her courage, tenacity and creativity in representing them. Dubbed the “Lioness of Washington DC” by Washingtonian, the magazine featured her superb handling of a high profile case in, “Divorce: Washington Style.”
Leadership
Deborah’s early work in family law established her as a leader in the fight to empower victims of domestic violence. Because of her work, domestic violence, long hidden, was brought to the fore and positive changes in law, policy and social attitude were initiated. Deborah coordinated the Women’s Defense Fund (WDF) Task Force on Abused Women (1975-1978), one of the first efforts to fight domestic violence in the Washington DC metropolitan area. She also served as a Consultant on the WDF’s Emergency Domestic Relations Project. For her groundbreaking and dedicated work, Deborah received the DC Bar’s Pro Bono Service Award (1986) and the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence Special Award (1987). In 2009, Deborah recieved the Council for Court Excellence’s Charles Horsky Award for her outstanding contributions to the council as the Chair of its Children in the Courts Committee from 2001 to 2009. She also served on the council’s Executive Committee from 2002 to 2009.
Recognized Expert
Recognized as an expert in family law, Deborah has testified before the U.S. Senate and made numerous television and radio appearances on the subject, including The Today Show, CNN (re: the Elian Gonzales case), Burden of Proof and National Public Radio.
Deborah’s expertise was also tapped by the law schools of American University, Catholic University, and the Institute of Law and Aging at George Washington University where she taught family law. Additionally, for over 15 years, the DC Bar and the Bar Association of DC have scheduled Deborah to teach family law to attorneys.
Focused on the Client
Deborah’s extensive legal experience informs her conclusion that when people walk in the door of an attorney’s office, they need an honest assessment of their options, solid legal advice and support if they are seeking help for difficult personal or family issues. While her client is her priority, Deborah never loses sight of the best interests of the family, especially the children. She has learned that negotiation, mediation, collaborative law and alternative dispute resolutions usually achieve the best results. For those cases that do go to trial, Deborah is an experienced litigator and is known for her strong representation in the courtroom.
Honors
For 20 years, Deborah has been awarded an AV and Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell –the highest possible ranking by the most prestigious U.S. attorney rating service. In 2012 she was included in their Preeminent Women Attorneys listing. This rating can be viewed at Lawyers.com.
- Deborah has been ranked yearly in the top tier in Washingtonian Magazine since 1995
- Listed in Super Lawyers, DC Metro Area 2007 – 2011
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2007 – 2011
- Listed in Bethesda Magazine’s 25 top divorce lawyers
- Received the Council for Court Excellence Charles Horsky Award, 2009
- Bar Association of DC Quality of Life Award, 2009
- Coalition Against Domestic Violence Special Award-1987
- D.C. Bar’s Pro Bono Service Award-1986
Teaching Experience:
American University in Family Law,
Catholic University in Family Law,
George Washington University in the Institute for Law and Aging
Continuing legal education in family law for the D.C. Bar
“Custody and Visitation” TV Show, Women’s Bar Association continuing legal education
“What They Don’t Teach You in Law School,” Bar Association of DC continuing legal education
Selected Media Interviews and Appearances:
The Today Show, Burden of Proof, National Public Radio, Evening Exchange, To The Contrary, News talk, Good Morning Washington, and CNN Live
Email: dluxenberg@luxlaw.com
Complete Resume
Education
J.D. Catholic University of America, 1974
B.A. Case Western Reserve University, 1970
Licensures
Pennsylvania Bar, 1974
District of Columbia Bar, 1975
Maryland Bar, 1982
Professional Affiliations, Memberships and Service
Current:
D.C. Bar and its Family Law Section
Fellow of the American Bar Association
Women’s Bar Association of D.C.
Women’s Bar Association of Maryland & Montgomery County
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Fellow
Member, Bar Association of DC
Foundation of the Bar Association of DC
DC Association of Collaborative Professionals
Past:
2002 – 2010 Board of Directors Member, Council for Court Excellence
2002 – 2009 Executive Committee Member, Council for Court Excellence; Board of Directors Member, Council for Court Excellence.2001 – 2009 Chair, Children & Courts Committee, Council for Court Excellence.
2008 Judicial and Public Appointment Committee, Bar Association of DC
1994 – 2007 Chair, Domestic Relations Committee, Bar Association of DC
1999 – 2000 President, DC Chapter, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
1997 – 1998 President, Foundation of the Bar Association of DC
1996 – 1998 Vice President, D.C. Chapter, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
1994 – 1995 Secretary, D.C. Chapter, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
1988 – 1990 Chair, Family Law Section of the DC Bar
1983 – 1988 Family Law Section of the DC Bar
1975 – 1978 Chair, Task Force on Abused Women, Women’s Legal Defense Fund
Consultant, Emergency Domestic Relations Project, Women’s Legal Defense Fund
Member, Continuing Legal Education Committee, DC Bar
