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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
| Debra Lynn Ferwerda: | Member at The Jacobson Chmelir and Ferwerda |
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351 E State Road 434 Ste A Winter Springs, FL 32708-2648 |
| Website: | http://jmcflaw.com |
| Phone: | 407-327-8899 |
| Fax: | 407-327-3019 |
| Offices: |
Jacobson Chmelir and Ferwerda
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| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Bar | Member | N/A |
| George C. Young First Central Florida American Inn of Court | Master | N/A |
| American Inns of Court | Master | N/A |
| Florida Bar | Member | 1996 - 1900 |
| George C. Young First Central Florida American Inn of Court | Master | 1996 - 1900 |
| Florida Bar | Member | N/A |
| George C. Young First Central Florida American Inn of Court | Master | N/A |
| American Inns of Court | Master | N/A |
| U.S. Federal Court for the Middle District of Florida | Admitted | N/A |
| U.S. Federal Court for the Southern District of Florida | Admitted | N/A |
| U.S. Federal Court for the Middle District of Florida | Admitted | N/A |
| U.S. Federal Court for the Southern District of Florida | Admitted | N/A |
| U.S. Federal Court for the Middle District of Florida | Admitted | 2011 - 1900 |
| U.S. Federal Court for the Southern District of Florida | Admitted | 2011 - 1900 |
| American Society of Legal Advocates | N/A | 2018 - 1900 |
| American Society of Legal Advocates | N/A | |
| American Society of Legal Advocates | N/A | N/A |
| Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
|---|---|---|
| AV Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2018 |
| 10 Best | American Institute of Family Law Attorneys | 2018 |
| 10 Best for Client Satisfaction | American Institute of Family Law Attorneys | 2017 |
| Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 | Martindale-Hubbell | 2016 |
| Certificate of Appreciation | Legal Aid Society of Orange COunty | 2006 |
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| Florida State University | BS - Bachelor of Science | 1991 |
| Florida State University | BS - Bachelor of Science | 1991 |
| St. Thomas University School of Law | Doctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctor with Honors | 1996 |
| St. Thomas University School of Law | Doctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctor with Honors | 1996 |
| Case name | Outcome |
|---|---|
| State of Florida v. Paul Smith | Not Guilty |
| State of Florida v. Torres | Case dismissed |
| State | Number | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FL | 89419 | Member in Good Standing | 1996 | 04/25/2019 |
| Conference name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Central Florida Law Enforcement Academy | Criminal Justice | 2000 |
| George C. Young First Central Florida American Inn of Court | Lawyer Ethics | 2024 |
| George C. Young First Central Florida American Inn of Court | Lawyer Ethics | 2024 |
| George C. Young First Central Florida American Inn of Court | Lawyer Ethics | 2024 |
| George C. Young First Central Florida American Inn of Court | Lawyer Ethics | 2024 |
| George C. Young First Central Florida American Inn of Court | Lawyer Ethics | 2024 |
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant State Attorney | Orange County State Attorney's Office | 1996 - 1999 |
| Assistant State Attorney | Orange County State Attorney's Office | 1996 - 1999 |
| Founding Partner | Jacobson, Chmelir and Ferwerda | N/A |
| Criminal Conflict Counsel | Jacobson Chmelir and Ferwerda | 1999 - 2014 |
| Founding Partner | Jacobson, Chmelir and Ferwerda | 1999 - 1900 |
| Founding Partner | Jacobson, Chmelir and Ferwerda | N/A |
| Criminal Conflict Counsel | Jacobson Chmelir and Ferwerda | 1999 - 2014 |
