Debbie is a Founder of Mapetsi.  For the past decade, Debbie has tirelessly assisted tribal governments in ensuring that the United States honors its trust responsibilities.  Debbie is known for “getting things done” in D.C. for tribes through diplomacy, dedication, hard work, and political acumen coupled with extensive relationships on the Hill and within the Administration.

Prior to private practice, Debbie served as Assistant Counsel to the President in the White House where she assessed Presidential nominations and appointments to the executive and judicial branches to determine candidate suitability. She worked closely with the FBI, IRS, and the Senate on issues of candidate suitability.

She also served as Attorney-Advisor in the Department of Justice’s Office of Legislative Affairs, the Department’s “lobbyist” on the Hill.  Debbie coordinated and developed agency policy, legislative positions, strategy, and testimony on all Native American issues before the agency. She also represented the Department on the Hill on all issues pertaining to the Civil Rights Division, the Office of Justice Programs, and the COPS Office. For her work at the Office of Legislative Affairs, she received an Outstanding Service Award.

Also, while at DOJ, she served as both an appellate and trial attorney in the Civil Division’s Honors Program where she represented the U.S. in over 40 cases involving various agencies filed primarily in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and the Federal Circuit.  For her work, Debbie received many commendations from the agencies she represented.

Debbie grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, graduated from Stanford University with a B.A., and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Mississippi School of Law. She is admitted to practice law in Mississippi and the District of Columbia.