The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) has awarded Debra R. Devassy Babu and Brittany S. Ogden the distinguished Edward A. Groobert Award for Legal Excellence. ELFA Legal Committee Chair Brian Kestenbaum, presented the award to Debra and Brittany on May 5 during the General Session of the ELFA Legal Forum.
The Edward A. Groobert Award for Legal Excellence is an annual honor that recognizes significant contributions to the equipment finance industry. The 2025 award was presented to two co-honorees in acknowledgment of their outstanding dedication.
Devassy Babu is a shareholder at Darcy & Devassy P.C. in Chicago, where she specializes in commercial litigation, equipment leasing and finance, and bankruptcy matters. She represents major financial institutions that are in complex disputes within state, federal, and bankruptcy courts. Devassy Babu has been actively involved in the equipment finance industry since 2004. Currently, she serves as Co-Chair of ELFA's Amicus Curiae Subcommittee. In addition, Devassy Babu is an active participant in the ELFA Equity Committee and the Mentorship Working Group. She has also been a member of the ELFA Board, served on the ELFA Legal Committee and chaired the ELFA Service Providers Business Council Steering Committee.
Ogden is a partner and the national co-chair of the Bankruptcy, Restructuring & Creditor’s Rights Practice Group at Quarles & Brady LLP in Madison, Wisconsin. With extensive experience in complex commercial litigation and bankruptcy proceedings, she represents financial institutions, secured creditors and equipment leasing companies across the U.S.
Brittany formerly served on the ELFA Legal Committee from 2013 to 2015. She currently co-chairs the Amicus Brief Committee and serves on the Board of Trustees for the ELFA Foundation. In 2022, ELFA honored her with the Michael J. Fleming Distinguished Service Award in recognition of her significant contributions to the association and the equipment finance industry.
“We are thrilled to present this award to co-honorees, Debbie Devassy Babu and Brittany Ogden,” said Brian Kestenbaum, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, LEAF Commercial Capital Inc., and Chair of the ELFA Legal Committee. “Debbie and Brittany have demonstrated unwavering leadership and commitment, dedicating countless hours to ELFA. Their hard work continues to inspire and elevate the standard of excellence within the equipment finance industry.”
The award was presented as part of ELFA’s annual Legal Forum, an industry-leading event that brings together top legal professionals in the equipment leasing and finance community to discuss industry trends, analyze issues shaping the future of equipment financing and network with their peers.