Professional Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Legal Studies (Macquarie University)
- Accredited Specialist, Family Law (Law Society of NSW)
- Nationally Accredited Mediator
- Member, Family Law Council of Australia
- Member, Law Society of NSW
- Admitted Solicitor, Supreme Court of NSW and High Court of Australia
- Collaboratively Trained Lawyer
- Member Northern Beaches Collaborative Professional Group
Experience:
Deborah is the Principal of Doolan Callaghan Family Lawyers and is a NSW Law Society Accredited Specialist in Family Law. Deborah is also a Nationally Accredited Mediator; a qualified Collaborative Lawyer and a Member of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia. Deborah is dedicated to helping couples reach agreement about issues that arise following the breakdown of their relationship. Her commitment, understanding and practical approach together with her extensive family law experience ensures her clients receive a unique and personal service and optimum outcomes.
Deborah is experienced in all areas of family law, including:
- Divorce and separation
- Property settlements
- Parenting arrangements (child custody)
- Child Support
- Spousal Maintenance
- De facto relationships
- Court representation
- Domestic Violence
- Mediation and Dispute Resolution
- Collaborative Law
Deborah has had countless cases across the broad range of family law and de facto matters, including complex property and financial matters, urgent applications for spouse maintenance and contested parenting and relocation matters.
Deborah is very aware of the stressful and emotional time separating couples experience, particularly when children are involved, and her main objective is to achieve the best possible outcome for her clients while providing them with a supportive and understanding approach.
She is committed to minimising delays and assisting couples in reaching agreement through mediation and effective negotiation wherever possible. If litigation becomes necessary, Deborah is a determined and thorough advocate and has a sound knowledge of the workings of the Family Court system.
Prior to establishing Doolan Callaghan Family Lawyers, Deborah was a Director of Doolan Wagner and Callaghan Family Lawyers at Dee Why for more than ten years. Prior to that, Deborah worked as a lawyer for other prominent practices on the Northern Beaches. Whilst now practising exclusively in family law for almost fifteen years, Deborah also has a background in general practice including commercial, property and business law, criminal law including apprehended violence orders, and wills and estates. This assists her in the myriad of issues that often present themselves in family law matters.
Deborah and her family live on the Northern Beaches.