Accredited Specialist Family Lawyers Debra Parker, Catherine Coles and Jacquelyn Curtis founded Parker Coles Curtis in September 2020, in the shadow of the first COVID-19 lockdown in Canberra. With a shared vision to humanise legal services for people experiencing relationship conflict and change, such as separation and divorce, they are the largest female-led law firm in the ACT. Parker Coles Curtis offers legal services including bespoke advice and tailored solutions for all family law issues, resolving family law disputes amicably out-of-court, mediation services and court-room advocacy.
Tell us about your business.
DP: We were inspired to bring a fresh approach to the family law landscape. It was important to us to provide exceptional, client-centric family law services – and to do that with heart and soul. We assist clients with issues such as divorce, parenting arrangements, financial and property settlements, child support, protection from family violence, mediation and more.
Since our first day as a firm, we have grown rapidly. We have achieved recognition in our field and industry accolades – but to us true success is in helping clients navigate difficult times with compassion and care.
JC: The upheaval that is caused by relationship breakdown and conflict can be really unsettling. Everything around you is changing. There’s an onslaught of difficult feelings, right at a time when you’re trying to make important decisions about your future. It can be paralysing to be in that place, feeling like you are stuck living life on pause while you find your ‘new normal’.
CC: We guide you through that uncertainty, past that sense of overwhelm. We help you to see the big picture and provide practical and solutions-driven advice, so you regain control and can get your life back on track.
What tactics have you found most effective for networking?
JC: Sincerity and purpose go a long way in making lasting and useful connections. We’ve built strong links with many professionals in associated industries, as we recognise our clients face more than just legal decisions during family change or conflict. We draw upon those connections to provide wholistic support for our clients who are navigating a difficult time.
Who inspires you?
CC: Naturally, we are inspired by women who have been influential in the law. Our conferencing spaces in our central Canberra offices are named after two powerhouse women – Mary Gaudron, the first female High Court Justice, and Elizabeth Evatt, the first Chief Judge of the Family Court. Our offices have been purposefully designed for our clients to feel calm and comfortable at a time when they might be feeling very daunted or stressed.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in your industry?
DP: In the past I’ve faced the challenge of gender bias and workplace inflexibility as a mother. Society has thankfully moved forward, and it is important to continue to challenge accepted norms to allow women a more prominent role in the workforce at all levels. Feminine strengths such as empathy, emotional intelligence and compassion are inherently suited to supporting clients in a life crisis like a divorce. Coupled with expertise, life experience and legal skill, my view is that what was once a seen as a barrier is now an attribute.
What advice do you have for aspiring business women or those looking to advance their careers in your industry?
JC: My late grandfather’s motto was ‘the harder you work the luckier you get’ and in business I’ve found that to be accurate! We have great synergy in our leadership as co-directors with strong shared values that we live from the ground up. Along with a dedicated team of staff, this has been a key element responsible for our success so far.
CC: Ensure you have good support from advisors, coaches and mentors to guide you. Their insights will be your lighthouse in the early days when you are finding your way, doing everything from answering phones to hiring staff.
DP: Cast imposter syndrome aside and believe in yourself and your unique strengths.
How do you stay up to date with developments in your industry?
CC: To us, continuous learning is essential to provide top-tier service to our clients and allowing our staff to fulfil their potential. Our entire staff completed trauma-informed practice training to build our capability to support our clients in coping with stress and trauma and to empower them to move beyond it. Jacquelyn and I are Accredited Specialists in Family Law. Debra holds dual Accredited Specialisation in Family Law and Mediation – the only lawyer in Canberra with this accomplishment. This specialisation requires us to go beyond the standard continuous learning requirements to retain our accreditation. We are also very proud award winners – as a firm and individually – for our expertise in family law and mediation.
DP: Our work is in empowering our clients to make choices, by mapping out solutions for them. We do that by cutting through the lawyer speak to clearly explain their options, drawing on the best of our legal knowledge, experience and skill. Knowledge is power. Being fully informed and guided by someone with a compassionate approach can make a positive difference to someone’s separation experience.
JC: Active participation in industry committees and organisations such as the ACT Law Society and the International Academy of Family Lawyers enriches our knowledge and capability. It is a rare week when our team is not upskilling by attending conferences and webinars, sharing case law developments, strategising tricky legal issues in group brainstorms or sharing process updates within the office.
What are some important skills women require to excel in their careers?
DP: Success in any career requires diverse skills and attitude. Resilience, drive, tolerance and good communication are a must. Adaptability enables us to thrive in a dynamic work environment. Empathy allows us to connect with clients and colleagues on a deeper level. As women, we can harness our nurturing, collaborative, and intuitive attributes to excel and encourage diversity. By embracing these qualities, we pave the way for more inclusive and rewarding workplaces.
What are your thoughts on mentorship and its role in career development?
CC: Good mentoring can make or break your legal career when in your early stages. Having someone invest their time in you, believe in you and work hard to show you everything they know is a great compliment. At any point in your work life, good leadership and mentoring can take you to great heights and broaden your knowledge.
What do you see as the most significant trends in your industry?
JC: Our lives are busier and more complicated than ever. Accessing timely and quality legal advice with innovative use of technology is already paving the way forward. Our Australian-first initiative ‘Loungeroom Lawyer’ provides out-of-hours legal advice direct to your home via video conference, for a fixed price. It’s low stress and easy to access, designed to give you quality legal peace of mind conveniently.
What are your thoughts on the importance of workplace culture?
CC: Workplace culture sets the tone for how we collaborate, innovate, and engage. We foster this and attract smart, dedicated and dynamic people to our team. We offer flexible working conditions, wellbeing benefits, above industry-standard professional development opportunities, and by living our values of care and compassion from the ground up. We were the inaugural ‘Pride in Law’ award winners for embracing inclusivity and diversity in the workplace, and one of the first law practices in the ACT to promote the use of preferred pronouns in our written work.
Are there any challenges you are addressing in your field?
JC: The government just passed the most recent reforms to the Family Law Act since 2006 on 19 October 2023. These reforms will change the way parenting disputes are decided, with simplified factors to be considered in relation to children’s best interests and the removal of existing presumptions in the law. There are further reforms proposed to amend the way that property settlements are determined too, which will have a significant impact upon many families if passed. In addition to contributing to the debate on these reforms, our commitment to staying at the forefront of legal developments ensures we continue to provide the highest level of support and guidance in the ever-evolving field of family law.
How does your business contribute to your local community?
JC: It is important to us to give back to our community – to better the lives of Canberrans and improve access to legal assistance. We provide regular pro bono advice services in conjunction with Menslink, Women’s Legal Centre and Meridian. We regularly donate to organisations and sponsor charitable events with community partners that interact with our clients such as YWCA, Karinya House, Hands Across Canberra and Domestic Violence Crisis Service.
DP: Since we started our business three years ago, we’ve wanted to help people who are not as lucky in life as we are and contribute to assisting them to get to a better place. There are so many incredible charities in Canberra doing great work for people who need it. Giving back to our local community is a no brainer for us. Being nominated to the ACT Law Society for pro bono ACT Law Firm of the Year has been a great thrill and achievement for the three of us.
To learn more about Parker Coles Curtis, visit parkercolescurtis.com.au or call 5114 2660.
