Office Stories: Parker Coles Curtis
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There is a line in an iconic Australian song, which reads ‘from little things, big things grow’. Here in Canberra, we have a perfect example of that sentiment being true—meet the team behind family law firm Parker Coles Curtis.
Just two years ago Debra Parker, Catherine Coles, and Jacquelyn Curtis joined together to found Canberra’s largest female-led legal firm, Parker Coles Curtis. From the landing page of the website to their office interiors, it’s obvious that this is a business with service at its heart.
With law being such a controlled, precise and often corporately-focussed industry, it’s easy to assume legal dealings are clinical and devoid of human emotion. It’s clear with Debra, Catherine and Jacqui that this stereotype is being turned on its head. Consciously designing their services – and even their premises – to provide calm, comfort and care for clients experiencing family or relationship crisis, they firmly believe compassion and empathy has its place in family law.
“We do not lose sight of the fact that at the centre of every family law case is a human, a family. Before everything else, we know that a family breakdown is very distressing for most people,” says Debra Parker. “A thoughtful, delicate and personalised approach, where you’ll feel cared for, is what we do.”
Beginning in September 2020, Debra, Catherine and Jacquelyn spotted a gap in the landscape of their industry and united to create a solely female-led law firm, embracing the unique qualities that women bring to leadership roles and business. “When working with our clients and our team we draw upon soft skills like emotional intelligence, pragmatism, self-awareness and top-notch communication. This sets us apart and creates more rewarding outcomes for us and our clients, and us and our team,” Catherine said.
From the get-go, the demand for the services of Parker Coles Curtis took off – so much so that before their office could even be set up, the trio and their three initial employees worked from picnic tables in a temporary office, hot spotting internet from mobile phones. “We joke that this was our ‘grudge period’” Jacquelyn said, “and it wasn’t without challenges, but it is certainly testament to the fact that our clients are the priority in everything we do.”
This dedicated and empathetic approach has seen Parker Coles Curtis rapidly expand within two years to a team of almost 20, comprising 9 lawyers who have assisted over 1,000 clients since inception. Of expanding their soothing, stylish office space to occupy an entire floor of their building in the city legal precinct early next year, Jacqui said “We find that clients appreciate our welcoming spaces to meet, discuss and identify solutions to problems. We help relieve them of some of the stresses they are going through.” And yes, there will be plenty of Wi-Fi available in every corner.
Debra is one of the driving forces behind the firm’s success. Across her legal career spanning over 3 decades, her innate desire to change the profession has remained unwavering. The idea of a lawyer wanting to keep people out of Court would have seemed like a self-defeating proposition when Debra started out —but now as an Accredited Specialist Dispute Resolution practitioner, mediation and negotiation is a key pillar of Debra’s work.
“We think of our services as a tool for our clients to help them find a way out of, or through, difficult chapters in their lives,” she says. “But we carefully select the right tool in close consultation with the client. We don’t do ‘a one size fits all approach’ when solving legal problems. Each family, and each member of that family is unique and have their own unique needs. Finding a pathway that will work is the key to finding a solution. Having a large family myself has helped me to understand that.”
Faith and hope to pave the way to a better future is not only one of the key values imbued in the firm’s mission, but it was also something that Jacqui experienced firsthand when she went through a separation herself. “Break-ups of all kinds – whether it’s a slow burn or sudden – arrive with feelings of despair and overwhelm. It really rocks you when things are crumbling down around you. No-one wants to feel that level of uncertainty for any longer than necessary. What you need to move forward is a clear and caring advisor, who deeply understands your lived experience.”
As well as typical legal services such as in-office consultations, mediation, representation and drafting legal documents, the firm created and trademarked a unique service offering, ‘Loungeroom Lawyer’. It’s an after-hours online consultation that delivers legal advice direct to you at home, with flexibility that is crucial to those unable to meet a 9–5 timeframe.
“Lunchbreak Lawyer” followed suit, providing the opportunity for time pressed people to access legal advice within a lunch hour. Jacqui said these services were in direct response to client needs. “The last thing you need when you’re already spinning so many plates in the air is more stress and hassle to be able to connect with a lawyer. We come to you, at a time that suits you.” Both services are offered at a competitive fixed price, so there are no unwelcome surprises.
Having specialist knowledge in the full spectrum of family law services, coupled with flexible consultation, has meant that the firm can help to close the gap between those who may qualify for legal aid services and those who have traditionally been able to access private legal representation.
Without question the credentials of the founding Directors Debra, Catherine and Jacqui, who are all Accredited Specialists in Family Law, has played a role in the incredible growth of the firm. Other key ingredients in their recipe of success are trust and empowerment, says Catherine Coles. “We all want to work with people that we trust and who we know will have our back, especially when it comes to heavy personal matters. Trust is paramount. We are proud to empower our clients by building a relationship of trust with them and walking alongside them through the decisions that come with a family breakdown.” Described as a ‘graceful gladiator in heels’, Catherine is known to be straight-talking and decisive when working with her clients. As a mother of two young children, Catherine appreciates the pressures upon families and the critical role she plays in turning things around for the better, for her clients at all life stages.
As trust grew, so did the business, in terms of the firm’s staff and capability. Peer recognition and industry awards quickly began filling the trophy cabinet, including the inaugural Lawyers Weekly Diversity Award which recognises workplace practices and policies promoting inclusivity. The more the team worked with clients towards successful resolutions, the more those clients recommended their services to others. The firm now has over fifty 5-star google reviews from individuals from all walks of life, orientations and backgrounds—all with unique situations that need guidance through what is often a time of emotional, situational and physical turmoil.
In taking a wholistic approach and recognising what they do well and what they don’t, the team believe legal services are one aspect of assisting their clients. They support and promote the work of complimentary industries, both in the private and community sectors and they undertake pro bono work and financial donations various charities such as Menslink, Hands Across Canberra, YWCA, Women’s Legal Centre, DVCS and Lifeline among many others.
As Debra explains, “We support these organisations because we know how paramount a community of support can be in healing and progress. Everyone deserves to be safe, supported and connected, and charities such as the ones we sponsor do an amazing job by providing a safety net.”
Paul Kelly’s oft-sung lyrics ring true in reflecting the swift growth of Parker Coles Curtis, however, even more so, they align with the impact these empathy-led experts have in helping their clients through family breakdowns and challenges, onto a bigger and brighter future.
