Women in Law 2025

2025

DEBRA BOGO-ERNST

PARTNER, CHAIR OF THE NATIONAL CLASS ACTION LITIGATION PRACTICE Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

D ebra 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, Debra 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. Debra 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.

At Willkie, Debra is a recognized firm leader and powerful advocate for the advancement of women and diverse individuals. As Chair of Willkie’s national Class Action Litigation practice, Debra leads a 60+ attorney team advocating for clients in bet-the-company matters. As hiring partner, she interviews and engages with Willkie’s next generation of lawyers, helping to nurture talent and further the firm’s collaborative culture. Debra is also a powerful advocate within the Chicago community. She serves on the Board of Directors of Metropolitan Family Services, providing strategic guidance to the large nonprofit providing social services, legal aid and advocacy for Chicago families. She also serves on the board of Chicago’s Civic Consulting Alliance, and further supports Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, Compass Chicago and Lurie’s Children’s Hospital. She is a member and active participant of the ABA’s Class Actions & Derivative Suits Committee. In the legal community, Debra has been recognized for her work and as a leading female lawyer by Crain's Chicago Business and Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. Debra’s work is also recognized by Chambers USA, Legal500, Lawdragon, Best Lawyers, Benchmark Litigation, and Euromoney's Legal Media Group , among others.

WOMEN IN LAW 2025