We are thrilled to announce that Debra Parker, Director of Parker Coles Curtis, has been awarded Mediator/Arbitrator of the Year at the 2025 Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards. This recognition honours her decades of leadership in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and her unwavering commitment to helping families resolve conflict with dignity and fairness.

Debra also recently took home the ACT Law Society award for Leadership & Excellence in Family Law and Dispute Resolution. 

Debra has long been a pioneer in mediation and arbitration. In the early 1990s, she was at the forefront of the ADR movement in Canberra, championing pathways that empowered families to avoid adversarial litigation. Today, she remains the only practitioner in the ACT to hold dual accreditation as both a Family Law Specialist and a Dispute Resolution Specialist, cementing her reputation as a trusted leader in the field.

Her career spans more than three decades across roles as the first female Partner, 10 years as a Judicial Registrar, and now as a founding Director of Parker Coles Curtis. From presiding over more than 2,500 mediations as a Judicial Registrar to establishing one of Canberra’s fastest-growing family law firms during the 2020 lockdowns, Debra has consistently driven innovation in family law while mentoring the next generation of lawyers.

Debra has a long-standing reputation for her ability to bring two parties together to resolve their disputes through Mediation without the need for lengthy and costly litigation. She has successfully guided families through mediation in matters involving parenting arrangements, financial settlements, and property disputes, helping parties reach workable agreements that prioritise long-term stability and reduce conflict. Her calm and strategic approach allows clients to feel heard while fostering cooperation and resolution.

At the same time, Debra is equally committed to supporting individuals through some of the most complex and high-conflict cases. She has guided clients facing coercive control, international child relocation disputes, domestic violence, and financial abuse, always with a focus on achieving both safety and independence. By combining her deep legal expertise with trauma-informed practice, Debra helps clients not only secure fair settlements but also reclaim their confidence and rebuild their lives.

Alongside her extraordinary professional achievements, Debra has raised three children and contributed tirelessly to her community. From serving on boards and volunteering at women’s refuges to mentoring law students at the University of Canberra and ANU, she continues to give back with humility and passion.

Her lived experience balancing motherhood and a legal career further shapes her empathy for clients navigating separation and parenting disputes. Whether mentoring young women in law or supporting grassroots charities, Debra embodies the values of compassion, resilience, and service in our local community.

These awards are not just recognition of professional excellence, they celebrate and honour Debra’s role as a changemaker in family law. She has paved the way for more inclusive, compassionate, and solutions-focused approaches to resolving conflict, and continues to inspire colleagues, clients, and community alike.

Work with Debra Parker

What makes Debra truly remarkable is not just her legal expertise but her ability to walk beside clients through their most difficult chapters with compassion and empathy.

Whether you are seeking a skilled mediator to help two parties resolve parenting or financial disputes outside of court, or you need an experienced advocate to guide you through a personal family law matter, Debra Parker offers the expertise and compassion to achieve the best outcomes.

Debra is one of Canberra’s most highly sought-after mediators and family law specialists. To book a mediation or consultation, call our office on 02 5114 2660 or simply book online.