Debra L. Wabnik

Debra L. Wabnik is a partner at Stagg Wabnik Law Group in Garden City, New York. She represents individuals and corporations in federal and state courts across New York and New Jersey and in federal courts in Connecticut. Her multifaceted practice encompasses commercial and general litigation, banking disputes, employment law, appellate advocacy and mediation services.

In administrative proceedings, Ms. Wabnik advocates before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the New York State Division of Human Rights and the New York State Education Department. On appeal, she has argued and briefed numerous cases in New York’s Appellate Division, First and Second Departments, crafting persuasive arguments that have shaped legal precedent.

A graduate of Hofstra University School of Law, Ms. Wabnik served as a member of the Labor Law Journal and as an editor of the Entertainment Law Digest. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with honors at the State University of New York at Binghamton. She completed advanced commercial mediation training and conducts private mediations. She serves on the Eastern District of New York Mediation Panel and on the New York State Commercial Division Mediation Panels for Nassau, Suffolk, New York and Westchester counties. 

Additionally, Ms. Wabnik is a member of the Nassau County Bar Association Mediation Panel and sits on the Eastern District of New York’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Advisory Council. Her scholarship appears in the Nassau Lawyer, where she authored “Judicial Review of Education Law 3020-a Pre-Hearing Conferences” (November 2014) and co-authored several articles, including analyses of on-call scheduling pitfalls, the technological impact on the Portal-to-Portal Act and New York City salary legislation addressing wage disparities.

Recognized for her professional excellence, Ms. Wabnik achieved an AV Preeminent* peer-review rating through Martindale-Hubbell and was honored as the 2014 Top Legal Eagle in Employment Law for Nassau and Suffolk counties. She is also a member of the Legal Network for Gender Equity, supporting victims of sex discrimination and harassment through legal assistance.

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license 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 anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.