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 as Articles Editor 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 out 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 practices state and federal criminal defense and family law. At Jacobson, Chmelir & Ferwerda, Ms. Ferwerda has expanded her trial experience and has represented and defended clients from charges including murder, drug trafficking, sexual battery, home invasion robbery, grand theft, fraud, violation of injunction hearings, probation violation hearings, as well as numerous other criminal charges*. Ms. Ferwerda has represented thousands of clients in the State of Florida, and has had 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. 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 Jacobson, Chmelir & Ferwerda in 1999, her family law practice includes but is not limited to divorce, paternity, child custody, child support, alimony, contempt hearings, prenuptial agreements, postnuptial agreements and post-decree 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. Ms. Ferwerda will provide you with the care and competence you deserve.
