Deborah Schmitt

State and Federal Sexual Abuse Attorney

Debbie is a seasoned litigator with over 30 years of experience in toxic torts, product liability, personal injury, including catastrophic and wrongful death claims, as well as sexual abuse litigation.

Born in Boynton Beach, Florida, she spent years living in Auvergne, France, as a child, an experience that shaped her enduring belief that ours is a large world, but a small community, and that regardless of our differences, we share a common charge to stand up for and help one another.

A graduate of Purdue University and Valparaiso University School of Law, Debbie began her career working for the Indiana Senate before going on to clerk for the Honorable George B. Hoffman of the Indiana Court of Appeals, giving her a rare and unique understanding of not only the process that elected legislators go through in creating our laws, but also the processes judges go through in interpreting them.

Notably, her last opinion drafted for Judge Hoffman was accepted by the Indiana Supreme Court “in toto,” without revision — a rare honor.

Debbie has since litigated complex injury matters, including cases involving multinational corporations, in state and federal courts nationwide, and served as Assistant Regional Conflict Counsel in Polk County, Florida, where she represented thousands of vulnerable clients in sexual abuse, child abuse, elder exploitation, and Marchman Act proceedings.

Debbie has dedicated her career to advocating for those who cannot advocate for themselves, including abuse survivors, the elderly, and individuals struggling with substance abuse.

Debbie has spent most of her free time over the last 20 years championing animal rescue and the no-kill movement through fostering, grassroots advocacy, and lobbying efforts at the local and national level.

Debbie is licensed in Florida and Indiana and has been admitted pro hac vice in several state and federal courts across the country.