Deborah A. Ausburn

Deborah Ausburn is a member of Taylor English’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department, where she focuses on advising and defending youth-serving organizations. Ms. Ausburn has spent more than 30 years as a social worker, foster parent, criminal prosecutor, and civil trial attorney. Her experience includes successful cases before the United States Supreme Court in constitutional claims, extensive work in free speech and religious freedom issues, and dozens of successful jury trials. That experience has given her a national presence with organizations that serve young people.

Ms. Ausburn’s background has given her unique insights into defending childcare centers, camps, schools, and mentoring organizations. She has volunteered with and defended youth-serving organizations throughout the United States in matters as diverse as personal injury cases, intrusive government regulations, libel and slander issues, and claims of sexual abuse. She has conducted numerous investigations of claims of historic child abuse and sexual assault or harassment claims. She also advises youth-serving organizations about child protection policies, staff screening, conduct standards, cyberbullying, and best practices for protecting the children in their care.

Prior to joining Taylor English, Ms. Ausburn worked with well-respected civil litigation firms defending personal injury claims against youth-serving organizations and medical facilities as well as defending childcare centers and private schools in disputes with state and federal governments. She served as a federal prosecutor in Western North Carolina, prosecuting cases of sexual assault, child abuse, and drug trafficking. She has worked with non-profit legal foundations defending free speech, religious liberties, and property rights in various federal courts.

Affiliations

• American Camping Association
• American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC)
• Board member and Secretary of Connections Homes, Inc.
• Boy Scouts of America, Atlanta Area Council, Youth Protection Advisory Committee, 2012-present
• Cherokee Child Advocacy Council, Board of Directors 2008-2019
• Christian Legal Society
• Coverdell Leadership Institute, 2001-2002
• Enduring Hearts, Inc., Board of Directors, 2018-2021
• Federalist Society
• Hillside, Inc., Board of Directors,2012-2018
• International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (IPSCAN)
• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
• Prevent Child Abuse Georgia, Inc., Board of Directors 2003-2005
• State Bar of Georgia
• State Bar of North Carolina
• Successful Survivors Foundation, Board of Directors, 2022-present

Recognitions

• American Camp Association’ Southeastern Community Service Award, 2015
• The Best Lawyers in America – 2023