We’re reflecting on 2025 and wow — what an incredible year it has been for Parker Coles Curtis. From meaningful community partnerships to milestone achievements and impactful events, we are so proud of what we’ve accomplished together. Here’s a look back at the year that was, plus what’s coming up…

Debra Parker won several awards throughout 2025 including

• Business Woman of the Year at the 2025 Canberra Women in Business Awards
• Mediator & Arbitrator of the Year in the Australian Law Awards 2025 by Lawyers Weekly
• Winner of ACT Law Society Award for Leadership and Excellence in Family Law & Dispute Resolution
• Recognised as one of the top 50 Elite Women by Australasian Law 2025
• Winner of the Excellence Award which was the top award at the Inside Family Law Awards 2025
• Finalist in the Women Lawyers Association ACT Awards 2025.

Catherine Coles was named in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers™ in Australia, Canberra, in Family Law.

Catherine was also recognised in 2026 Doyles Guide as:

• Recommended Family & Divorce Lawyer, ACT
• Leading Parenting, Custody & Children's Matters Lawyer, ACT.

Jacqui Curtis was once again recognised in the 2026 Doyle’s Guide as:

• Pre Eminent Parenting, Custody & Children’s Matter Lawyer, ACT
• Leading in Family & Divorce Law, ACT

Jacqui also completed the Menslink Greatest walk challenge, walking 142 kilometres over five days and raising nearly $15,000!

Read more about Jacqui's experience in the Menslink Great Walk.

All three Directors were listed as finalists in the Canberra Women in Business Awards:

• Debra (went on to win) the Business Women of the Year
• Catherine was a finalist for Innovator of the Year
• Jacquelyn was a finalist for Leadership Business Women of the Year

Recognitions for Parker Coles Cutis

A phenomenal achievement for Parker Coles Curtis to be named the National Boutique Firm of the Year at the 2025 Women in Law Awards by Lawyers Weekly.

The awards had 780 submissions from across Australia, with only 29 winners announced on the night, meaning PCC stands among the top 3.72% of entrants nationwide.We are genuinely honoured to be recognised in such an elite cohort of firms and professionals driving the legal profession forward.

Our firm was also awarded with Legal Practice of the Year by the Women Lawyers Association ACT Awards 2025

We were listed as finalists in the Australian AI Awards as an AI Innovator Legal Practice, which celebrates the legal services sector utilising AI to improve efficiencies and deliver outstanding outcomes for clients. We were especially honoured to be the only family law firm recognised alongside some of Australia's leading national and international firms.

We celebrated our 5th birthday!

The ACT Law Society also named Parker Coles Curtis as the only firm in Canberra to proceed to the finalist stage of the awards process.

Parker Coles Curtis were recognised as a Top Tier Family Law Firm by Doyles Guide with Jacqui being recognised as Preeminent in Parenting, Custody & Children’s Matters and Leading in Family & Divorce. With Debra and Catherine recognised as leading in parenting, mediation and family law and Madeline Percival listed as a Rising Star.

Team news

Congratulations to Hannah Bonadeo, who has been promoted to Senior Lawyer at Parker Coles Curtis!

Her compassion, expertise and commitment to clients make this so well deserved.

Join us in congratulating Hannah and read more about Hannah's achievements and client feedback in our latest blog.Hannah Bonadeo was also a finalist in the ACT Women Lawyers Association ACT Awards 2025.

Read more about Hannah here.

We are delighted to announce Madeleine Perceval as a Rising Star in the 2026 Doyle’s Guide. With First Class Honours in Law and a genuine commitment to supporting families, Madeleine has quickly become known for her compassion, diligence and clear, practical guidance. A proud Canberran with a strong community spirit, she brings warmth, insight and professionalism to every client she supports. 

After some fabulous end of year celebrations including our family Christmas Party at Shaw Estate, Christmas giving drives & Bad Santa pressie exchange in the office we're now planning for our office 2026 Retreat.

Welcome Jessica Wynd – Senior Associate - Accredited Family Law Specialist

We are delighted to announce, Jessica Wynd, is joining Parker Coles Curtis in January. We are thrilled to welcome Jessica’s exceptional skill, leadership and heart to our team.

Meet Jessica.

Sponsorships, events & collaborations

We supported Roundabout Canberra with a doubling donations campaign and donating goodies for their Christmas drive, allowing disadvantaged families to feel supported and open a gift on Christmas Day and we are honoured to continue supporting them again in the upcoming years.

Jacqui Curtis was interviewed by Podcast Queens of 'We Don't Have Time for This' as a collaboration and sponsor with the Canberra Outlet Centre.

Our firm sponsored the Aiflam Family Dispute Resolution Conference where Debra Parker also spoke at the Byron Bay Conference.

Debra also had the pleasure to present at the Pacifica Congress Conference which we sponsored.

As major sponsors for the Hands Across Canberra Annual Dinner, we attended and had a beautiful acknowledgement by CEO Genevive Jacobs, had the opportunity to met Her Excellency the Governor-General Ms Sam Mostyn AC and Chief Minister Andrew Barr. Our team are excited to continue supporting HAC as Hero sponsors again this year.

Our team supported the ACT Law Society's New Lawyers Ball where Sarah Rodrigues (Senior Associate) delivered an empowering speech and our team enjoyed a fun night out at the gala.

We collaborated with Fuse Magazine to give insight into Financial abuse in LGBTQIA+ relationships: hidden harm, real impact.

We continued our support to Karinya House through doubling donations as well as support for their Mother's Day luncheon which we will proudly continue into the new year.

YWCA She Leads 2025 was another successful conference and networking event which our firm again proudly sponsored.

Upcoming events

We have a new partnership with Fearless Women, an organisation dedicated to helping girls and young women in the ACT fear less and live life with confidence, courage, resilience, and hope.

At the end of 2025 we kicked off this partnership with a parent information on the new social media laws. Download the webinar.

Join us for a premium International Women’s Day Breakfast, supporting Fearless Women, and gain valuable insights on women’s financial security, alongside meaningful networking opportunities, live music, and inspirational talks aligned with this year’s IWD theme: Give To Gain.

Cherelle Murphy is the EY Oceania Chief Economist and a highly respected economic commentator known for delivering clear, practical insights that help people understand the world around them. At our International Women’s Day Breakfast, Cherelle will provide valuable insights into the economic outlook and women’s financial security, highlighting why economic empowerment is essential to equality — and why when women thrive, we all rise.

Register for an early bird ticket now!

Save the date: Karinya House 2026 Mother's Day Luncheon: Friday 22 May

For more than 27 years, Karinya House has had the privilege of walking alongside women who are experiencing crises, before, during and after pregnancy. Providing safe housing, health advice, casework, counselling, trauma services, baby goods and much more.

Save the date to support this event in fundraising for Karinya House.

Women Thriving Through Change Charity Event - raising funds for the Tarrant Foundation: Wednesday 20 May

Thrive Through Change is a transformative community event created to empower women as they navigate the profound transition from perimenopause to menopause and beyond, and to honour the immense contribution women make to their families, their workplaces, and the community.

We hope that 2026 brings you clarity and certainty, whatever stage of the relationship journey you’re at.

If we are already working with you, to steer you closer to a fresh start after a relationship breakdown, we sincerely thank you for the opportunity to guide through the process.

The buzz we get in helping someone start their next chapter is unmatched for our team.

If we haven’t yet met - and you’re considering separation or divorce, or you need help with relationship conflict - please reach out to us to take the next step. We’d love to help you (or your loved ones should they be in need of our assistance). Let’s connect in our free, no-obligation introductory chat to make a plan for your future.