C. DEBRA WELCH
C. DEBRA WELCH, Esq. practices almost exclusively in the area of Marital and Family Law with The Law Firm of C. Debra Welch, P.A., located in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. She is a graduate of Stetson University, from which she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. She holds a Master of Education in community counseling from Georgia State University. She earned her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from New England School of Law – Boston. Ms. Welch is a member of the Massachusetts Bar (1992) and the Florida Bar (1993). She is admitted to practice in the United States District Court, District of Massachusetts (1993) and the United States Supreme Court (1998).
Ms. Welch has been recognized as a Florida Super Lawyer every year since 2013, an honor given to only 5% of all lawyers in Florida. In 2010, Ms. Welch was the recipient of the Pro Bono Award for Family Law given by the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County in recognition of her commitment to those in need of legal services. In addition, in 2019 Ms. Welch was awarded the Raymond T. McNeal Professionalism Award by the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar.
Prior to becoming an attorney, Ms. Welch enjoyed a successful career in higher education which focused on direct service counseling, psychotherapy, and college student development. During that time, she presented and guest lectured for numerous organizations and at various colleges and universities. Ms. Welch last served as the Associate Director for Counseling and Student Development at Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts. Since becoming an attorney, Ms. Welch continued her work in higher education by serving as an adjunct faculty member at Palm Beach State College (f/k/a Palm Beach Community College) (1999-2010) where she taught Family Law and Business Law in the college’s paralegal program. Ms. Welch continues to be a frequent guest lecturer and speaker on various topics relating to family law.
Throughout her career, she has been actively involved in various leadership positions in the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar and other voluntary Bar and community organizations.
State Bar and Federal Court Admissions, Certifications, Awards
- United States Supreme Court
- The United States District Court District Of Massachusetts
- Florida Bar
- Massachusetts Bar
- Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator
- Family Law Pro Bono Award, Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County
- The Honorable Raymond T. McNeal Professionalism Award given by the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar
- Super Lawyers
- Florida Legal Elite
- The National Advocates Top 100 Lawyers
- Lawyers of Distinction
- American Institute of Family Law Attorneys 10 Best Attorneys
- Palm Beach Illustrated Top Lawyers
Selected Professional Memberships and Activities
- The Florida Bar
- Executive Council of the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar
- Continuing Education Committee, The Florida Bar
- Legislation Committee of the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar
- Member 2010-2012, 2014-2015, 2018-2019, 2019-2020
- Equitable Distribution Committee
- AdHoc Nomenclature Committee
- ADR Committee of the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar
- Bar Journal Committee for Publications Committee of the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar
- Children’s Issues Committee of the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar
- Constitutional Revisions Committee of the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar
- Continuing Legal Education Committee of the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar
- Special Advisor 2017-2018
- Co-Chair 2011-2013
- Secretary 2010-2011
- Member 2009-2018
- Florida Bar Liaison 2012-2013
- Finance Committee of the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar
- Law School Liaison, Family Law Section of The Florida Bar
- Special Committee 1998-1999
- Mediation and Collaborative Law Committee of the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar
- Publications Committee of the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar
- Rules & Forms Committee of the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar
- Co-Chair 2016-2018
- Co-Vice Chair 2015-2016
- Member 2014-2018
- Sponsorship Committee of the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar
- Palm Beach County Bar Association
- Unified Family Court Practice Committee
- Continuing Legal Education Committee
- Professionalism Committee
- Susan Greenberg American Family Law Inn of the Palm Beaches
- Inaugural Member 2013
- Treasurer 2013-2016
- Vice President 2016-2017
- President 2017-2019
- Co-Chair, Mentoring Program 2019-2020
- Palm Beach State College Paralegal Program Business Partnership Council
- Take Stock In Children, Palm Beach County
- Board Member 2011 – 2016
- Secretary 2013 – 2016
- Back 2 School Shopping Event Corporate Sponsor 2013 – Present
