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Alumna, former trustee named a 'Legend in Law' by Burton Awards

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Posted on Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Deborah Platt Majoras ’85, Westminster alumna and former chair of the Westminster College Board of Trustees, was recently named one of the 2020 Legends in Law by the Burton Awards.

The Legends in Law Awards recognize outstanding reputation in the legal profession and a demonstrated track record of addressing complex matters of national or global significance in a specialist area. The honorees also evidenced leadership, creativity, and uniqueness in approach to resolving challenges confronting their corporate clients.

Majoras, one of 13 honored with this year’s award, is the chief legal officer/secretary for Procter & Gamble and former chairman of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

“The award winners we selected as 2020 Legends in Law far exceed our highest standards and they are an example for all lawyers to follow,” said Burton Awards founder and chairman Bill Burton. “Throughout their careers they have become leaders and have promoted and protected their companies.”

Majoras joined Procter & Gamble in 2008 following four years with the FTC. At Procter & Gamble, Majoras oversees a legal department that includes more than 500 lawyers and other legal professionals around the globe and is responsible for the broad scope of legal functions for all of P&G and its 127,000 employees.

As chairman of the FTC—appointed in 2004 by U.S. President George W. Bush—Majoras focused on ensuring data security and protecting consumers from emerging digital frauds and served as co-chair of the President’s Identity Theft Task Force. She also worked to implement sound antitrust policy regarding intellectual property, increase the efficiency and transparency of the merger review process, and strengthen cooperation among antitrust agencies around the world.

She also served as Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division from 2001-2003 and worked as an antitrust lawyer and partner at Jones Day in Washington, D.C.

A 1985 summa cum laude graduate of Westminster College, Majoras earned her J.D. from the University of Virginia in 1989.

The Burton Awards is a national 501 (c)(3) non-profit program, which is run in association with the Library of Congress, presented by lead sponsor Law360, and co-sponsored by the American Bar Association. The program rewards the greatest accomplishments in law, including excellence in writing, teaching, journalism, public service, leadership, and exemplary service in the armed forces by lawyers.