also known as Debbie Ferwerda
Debra L. Ferwerda was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Communications from Florida State University. She attended St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami, where she served on the Law Review and later graduated with honors with a Juris Doctor degree.
Ms. Ferwerda is a well-respected Central Florida Divorce and Criminal Defense Attorney who has earned a reputation for her integrity and no-nonsense approach inside and outside of the courtroom. She gives all her cases the personalized attention they deserve and the hard work it takes to win.
From 1996 to 1999, Ms. Ferwerda was an Assistant State Attorney for the Orange and Osceola County State Attorney’s office where she received extensive trial experience in Felony and Misdemeanor divisions prosecuting cases from DUI to Murder. In 1999, she resigned from the State Attorney’s office and became a founding member of Jacobson, Chmelir & Ferwerda where she now focuses on family law in addition to state and federal criminal defense.
Ms. Ferwerda’s extensive criminal trial experience has carried over to her marital and family law practice where she has tried numerous highly contentious cases throughout Central Florida. Since the inception of JCF in 1999, her family law practice includes but is not limited to divorce, paternity, child custody, child support, alimony, injunctions, contempt hearings, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements and post divorce modification and enforcement. Whatever your family needs, she gives all her cases the hard work it takes to achieve a favorable outcome, whether through negotiated settlement, mediation, or trial if needed, in addition to the compassion and understanding needed to keenly assess each client’s situation.
At JCF, Ms. Ferwerda has also continued to expand her criminal trial experience and has represented and defended clients from charges including Murder, Drug Trafficking, Sexual Battery, Home Invasion Robbery, Grand Theft, Fraud, Violations of Injunction, Probation Violations, as well as numerous other criminal charges. Ms. Ferwerda has represented thousands of clients in the State of Florida, and has had well over 100 jury trials in her criminal trial experience. She has also had an extensive, successful Motion Practice including numerous successful Motions to Dismiss and Motions to Suppress at the County and Circuit Court levels.
No matter what your need is, Ms. Ferwerda will provide you with the care and competence you deserve.
* Ms. Ferwerda gained local notoriety after successfully defending a Warlock motorcycle club member in a triple homicide in 2014. See article – Warlocks murder suspect found not guilty
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Chat withState: Florida
Acquired: 1996
No misconduct found
351 E State Road 434 Ste A, Winter Springs, FL, 32708-2648
65 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 13 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by Casey | May 20, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
Excellent Attorney
Deborah was the best choice in dealing with my child custody case. She was hands on, dedicated, informative and easy to access when emergencies or questions arose. She goes above and beyond for her clients and treats cases as if they are her own. I would 100% recommend her to anyone seeking legal hel...
Posted by Tiffiny | December 01, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Divorce is hard but having a great lawyer makes is manageable
For most divorcees this process can be sad/hard. Debra and her team immediately put me at ease from the initial consult all the way till the very last days of the process. Debra was not only compassionate but extremely professional and her client control is on point. She was direct with me on the law...
Posted by Richard | August 25, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Alimony
Professional, diligent, and relentlessly committed!
Mrs. Ferwerda agreed to review my complicated and contemptuous modification of alimony case. Following an insightful consultation, she agreed to represent me at a moment of overwhelming frustration due to the incompetence and ineptitude of previous legal representations. Decisively, Mrs. Ferwerda mot...
Posted by Jeff | April 18, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
A Rare Combo
Debbie was my divorce attorney between 2019 and 2020, and she helped me navigate those choppy waters all the way to new land. Debbie is a very caring person who I would also go to war with. Those two combinations are rare and instill great trust.
Posted by Bonnie | October 09, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Excellent Divorce Attorney
Debbie is an excellent divorce attorney that represented and supported my every need during a difficult time in my life. She listened, advised and supported my needs through the process. She is tough, and clearly gets the best possible outcome for her clients.
"I had the pleasure of seeing Ms. Ferwerda first hand as we were both involved in a case together. I was handling the civil portion and she was handling the criminal. Ms. Ferwerda is beyond professional, ethical, and wonderful to work with. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for representation in a criminal or family law case."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have had the opportunity to be an opposing attorney against Attorney Ferwerda. Attorney Ferwerda can handle any situation in the courtroom. At trial she was very organized and collected, and at the same time fights for her clients with zealous representation. As a client, you can't ask for anything more, but as an opposing counsel, you appreciate her advocacy and the way she fights for her clients."
"I have mediated several cases for Debbie. She is always well prepared and a great advocate for her clients."
"Ms. Ferwerda exemplifies professionalism at the highest level. She is skilled and experienced in many areas of law. I endorse this attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have referred this attorney people on criminal matters. I have also sent this attorney clients on domestic violence injunction cases with criminal matters. I am pleased with how she represented them."
"I have had the opportunity to litigate cases against Attorney Ferwerda. Her calm but confident court demeanor in combination with her zealous representation of her client make her a worthy opponent. She endlessly represents the best interests of her clients and is a pleasure to work with."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have referred many clients to Ms. Fewerda and all have been very pleased with her professionalism and knowledge of the law."
"I endorse this lawyer. She is a professional who knows the law. It's always good to have a reputable attorney on the other side."
"Debbie is professional, pleasant and well prepared. Would definitely recommend her to anyone in need of a criminal defense attorney!"
Personal injury lawyer
Divorce and separation lawyer
Mediation lawyer
Mediation lawyer
Family lawyer
Family lawyer
Government lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Family lawyer
Family lawyer
Mediation lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Government lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Family lawyer
2018
AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2018
10 Best, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
2017
10 Best for Client Satisfaction, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
2016
Preeminent 5.0 out of 5, Martindale-Hubbell
2006
Certificate of Appreciation, Legal Aid Society of Orange COunty
1999 - Present
Founding Partner, Jacobson, Chmelir and Ferwerda
1999 - 2014
Criminal Conflict Counsel, Jacobson Chmelir and Ferwerda
1996 - 1999
Assistant State Attorney, Orange County State Attorney's Office
2018 - Present
American Society of Legal Advocates
2011 - Present
U.S. Federal Court for the Middle District of FloridaAdmitted
2011 - Present
U.S. Federal Court for the Southern District of FloridaAdmitted
1996 - Present
Florida BarMember
1996 - Present
George C. Young First Central Florida American Inn of CourtMaster
1996 - Present
American Inns of CourtMaster
Not Guilty
Case dismissed
1996
Doctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctor with Honors
1991
BS - Bachelor of Science
2000
Criminal Justice
N/A
Lawyer Ethics
English
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