Reviews and awards
What our clients say
Our awards and recognitions
We're proud to be named a Tier 2 firm in Canberra, Australia for Family Law in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms™.
Best Law Firms™ rankings in Australia are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and professional reference evaluations, peer review from leading lawyers, industry leader interviews and review of additional firm highlights provided by law firms as part of the formal research cycle.

Catherine Coles was included in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers™ - Australia for Family Law.
Best Lawyers™ is an elite global network of legal professionals recognized through trusted, peer-reviewed distinction. Each year, more than 13 million confidential evaluations are collected worldwide, contributing to one of the legal industry’s most rigorous and trusted vetting processes. Only about 5% of lawyers in the United States and 3% globally are recognized, reflecting the selectivity and credibility of the results.

Director, Debra Parker was awarded the Lawyers Weekly Mediator/Arbitrator of the Year Award.
This award recognises outstanding performance by a mediator/arbitrator, either in a law firm or sole practice (including at the bar).


Debra Parker was awarded the Excellence Award for overall excellence in Family Law.
The awards were judged by:
- The Hon Peter Rose AM KC
- Lara Wentworth (from Coaching Advocates)
- Tijana Petkovic (President of the City of Sydney Law Society, Director at Blanchfield Nicholls) and
- Katrene Halteh (Urban Family Lawyers, founding partner).

Debra Parker, Founding Partner of Parker Coles Curtis, has been awarded the 2025 ACT Law Society Award for Leadership and Excellence in Family Law and Dispute Resolution.
This prestigious recognition celebrates Debra’s extraordinary contributions to the legal profession over more than three decades.


The Doyle’s Guide is the preeminent family law guide where successful recipients are nominated and selected by the legal profession at large in recognition of their expertise and capability in the area of practice.
For 2025 we received the following recognitions:
- Top Tier family & Divorce Law Firm in the ACT
- Leading Family Law Mediator (Debra Parker)
- Leading Family & Divorce Lawyer (Debra Parker, Catherine Coles, Jacquelyn Curtis)
- Leading Parenting Custody & Children's Lawyer (Catherine Coles, Jacquelyn Curtis)
- Rising Star in Family Law, Canberra (Hannah Bonadeo)

We're incredibly proud to announce that we've been recognised by Australasian Lawyer as one of The Fastest-Growing Law Firms in Australia for the second year in a row.
Australasian Lawyer says that the fastest-growing law firms in Australia drove their success throughout the past 24 months via new strategies, changes to legislation or regulation and embracing technology.

The Doyle’s Guide is the preeminent family law guide where successful recipients are nominated and selected by the legal profession at large in recognition of their expertise and capability in the area of practice.
In 2024 we received the following recognitions:
- Top Tier family & Divorce Law Firm in the ACT
- Leading Family Law Mediator (Debra Parker)
- Leading Family & Divorce Lawyer (Debra Parker, Catherine Coles, Jacquelyn Curtis)
- Leading Parenting & Child Custody Lawyer (Catherine Coles, Jacquelyn Curtis)
- Rising Star in Family Law, Canberra (Liam McCarthy)

The ACT Law Society and ACT Bar Association recognises the ACT Firm of the Year Award based on the efforts of a local firm that:
- contributes to access to justice
- demonstrates innovative legal technology
- has a healthy and diverse working environment
- demonstrates enhancing the reputation of the legal profession
Parker Coles Curtis was awarded ACT Firm of the Year for placing care, compassion and choice at the forefront of its work and making challenging times less difficult for clients.


The Doyle’s Guide is the preeminent family law guide where successful recipients are nominated and selected by the legal profession at large in recognition of their expertise and capability in the area of practice.
In 2023 we received the following recognitions:
Leading Family Law Firms, Canberra
- Leading Mediator (Debra Parker)
- Leading Family Law (Debra Parker, Catherine Coles)
- Leading Parenting Law (Catherine Coles, Jacquelyn Curtis)
- Recommended Family Law (Jacquelyn Curtis)
- Rising Star in Family Law, Canberra (Meghan Read)
The Doyle’s Guide is the preeminent family law guide where successful recipients are nominated and selected by the legal profession at large in recognition of their expertise and capability in the area of practice.
In 2022 we received the following recognitions:
- Leading Family Law Firms, Canberra
- Leading Mediator (Debra Parker)
- Leading Family Law (Debra Parker, Catherine Coles)
- Recommended Parenting Law (Catherine Coles)
- Leading Parenting Law (Jacquelyn Curtis)
- Recommended Family Law (Jacquelyn Curtis)
- Rising Star in Family Law, Canberra (Cameron Rybinski)
The Lawyer’s Weekly Champions of Pride initiative recognises legal businesses that best demonstrate a commitment, both pledged and implemented, to the advancement of diversity and inclusion initiatives pertaining to legal professionals who identify as LGBTQI+.


The Doyle’s Guide is the preeminent family law guide where successful recipients are nominated and selected by the legal profession at large in recognition of their expertise and capability in the area of practice.
In 2021 we received the following recognitions:
- Leading Family Law Firms, Canberra
- Leading Mediator (Debra Parker)
- Preeminent Family Law (Debra Parker)
- Recommended Parenting Law (Catherine Coles)
- Leading Parenting Law (Jacquelyn Curtis)
- Rising Star in Family Law, Canberra (Monica Serci)
Finalists
Women in Law Awards 2025 - Boutique Diversity Law Firm of the Year (Lawyers Weekly)
Finalist
AI Innovator - Legal Practice (Australian AI Awards 2025)
Finalist
Inside Family Law Awards (Purpose Award)
Finalist - Debra Parker
Impact Award 2025 (Connecting Lawyer Mums)
Finalist - Debra Parker
ACT Law Service Awards 2025 (ACT Law Society)
Only firm listed as a finalist
Mediator/Arbitrator of the Year 2024 (Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards)
Finalist - Debra Parker
Local Business Awards 2023 & 2022
Finalist
Boutique Law Firm of the Year 2023 (Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards)
Finalist
Businesswoman of the Year 2023 (Canberra Women in Business)
Finalist - Debra Parker
Roar Awards in the category of ‘Service Business of the Year’, 2022
Finalist
Altitude Awards for ‘Excellence in Service’ 2022
Finalist
List of ‘Fast firms’ 2022
Listed
Roar Awards as a ‘Fearless Educator’ 2022
Finalist - Debra Parker
Lawyer’s Weekly 2022 Partner of the Year awards (Dispute Resolution and Family Law)
Only National Finalist in two categories – Debra Parker
Top 50 Australasian Lawyer ‘Elite Women’ 2021
Finalist - Debra Parker