Debra C. Cruz
Debra Cruz, originally from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, received her Juris Doctor degree in 1980 from the University of Florida, where she was a National Trial Advocacy participant, served on the Law School’s Honor court as a prosecutor, and prosecuted misdemeanors on behalf of the State of Florida as a graduate of the Criminal Internship Program. A graduate of the University of Florida With Honors in 1976, she also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.
Ms. Cruz began her private practice in Miami, Florida where she defended and prosecuted individuals and businesses in unfair competition, negligence and contract claims in the state and federal trial and appellate courts, where her trial opinions have been published. She also frequently volunteered as a Guardian Ad Litem, appointed by the courts to represent the needs of children in custody disputes involving claims of abuse. Ms. Cruz joined both the Maryland and Washington, D.C. bars in 1991. She has appeared before the state office of Administrative Hearings and in the Maryland Courts effectively obtaining redress for individuals wrongfully discharged from state employment.
Additionally, Ms. Cruz concentrates her practice on domestic relations, zealously representing individuals who are involved in divorces or custody disputes, helping them obtain a fair and equitable division of marital property, child support, alimony, and obtaining access to or visitation with their children in the Maryland Courts and through mediation. A member of the Baltimore City Family Law Committee, she has lectured on recent developments in Maryland Family Law. Ms. Cruz is also a long standing member of the Professional Ethics Committee of the Baltimore City Bar Association and the Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland Peer Review Committee, where she assists in the resolution of citizen complaints about attorneys. She is also a member of the Bench and Bar Committee, working to improve communication between attorneys and judges.
The mother of a competitive figure skater and an ice skater herself, Ms. Cruz avidly supports the wholesome effect of the sport on young people and adults alike. She serves on the Board of the Baltimore Figure Skating Club and is formerly the President of the Ice Club of Baltimore, the oldest figure skating club of Maryland, which actively seeks to recruit people of all ages into the sport of figure skating.