Debra A. Jenks

Debra A. Jenks focuses her practice on matters involving alternative dispute resolution, securities litigation, arbitration, registration, and regulation.

In 1980, Ms. Jenks earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from New College in Sarasota, Florida.   She then attended Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon, from which she received a Juris Doctor in 1983.

With almost 40 years of experience, Ms. Jenks has built a track record of successfully representing clients in complex financial matters. Her understanding of securities laws and regulations helps her advocate for her clients who range from securities dealers, brokers, financial advisors, financial institutions, and investors.

Over the course of her career, Ms. Jenks has handled claims where she consistently obtains favorable outcomes for clients in arbitral forums, as well as in state and federal courts. For her achievements, Ms. Jenks has earned the highest rating possible of AV Preeminent* from Martindale-Hubbell, and she holds an Avvo "Excellent" rating.

Active in the legal community, Ms. Jenks is a member of The Florida Bar and the Palm Beach County Bar Association.  She serves as an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) and the AAA's International Centre for Dispute Resolution ("ICDR"), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) Dispute Resolution Services, and the National Futures Association ("NFA").  In 2012, she was appointed to the 4th District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission ("4th DCA JNC"), where she served as a Commissioner until June 2016. She served as the Chairperson of the 4th DCA JNC for 2014-2015.  She was reappointed to serve a second term as a 4th DCA JNC Commissioner for the 2016-2020 period.  She was reappointed to serve a third term for the 2020-2024 period.  She is currently the Chairperson of the 4th DCA JNC.  Ms. Jenks is also admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit.

Her other professional service includes:

Trustee of the New College of Florida Board of Trustees (subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate), 2023 - 2027

THE FLORIDA BAR, Constitutional Judiciary Committee, 2022-2025

THE FLORIDA BAR, Rules of Judicial Administration Committee, 2016-2022

THE FLORIDA BAR, Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee A, 2009-2012

PALM BEACH COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION, North County Section, President, 2009-2010; Board Member 2022-2024

PALM BEACH COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION, Securities Law Committee, Member and Past Chairperson, 2010-2018

* AV Preeminent and BV Distinguished are certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell ratings fall into two categories: legal ability and general ethical standards.