Deborah Farmer Smith
Attorney Profile
Top Rated Family Law Attorney in Indianapolis, IN
Attorney Deborah Farmer Smith is a partner at the highly respected law firm of Cohen Garelick & Glazier. Ms. Smith joined the Indianapolis law firm in 2016, bringing with her more than 30 years of legal experience. For the majority of her legal career, Ms. Smith has focused on family law, offering the residents of Indianapolis, nearby Carmel, Fishers, Zionsville, Avon and the surrounding areas in Central Indiana assistance with a wide range of legal challenges, including:
• Divorce and legal separation
• Complex property division
• Post-divorce modifications
• Spousal support
• Child custody and support
• Paternity proceedings
Ms. Smith began her legal career in 1983 after earning her law degree from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law and being admitted to the practice of law in the state of Indiana. She is dedicated to her clients and their children, and her focus is on best practices in family law. Ms. Smith is a Certified Family Law Specialist, as certified by the Family Law Certification Board, which she co-chaired for many years.
She is one of fewer than 20 Fellows of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, which admits lawyers only on recommendation by other Fellows, and examination. She is also a registered mediator in the area of domestic relations, and she has served as a mediator or and arbitrator in hundreds of cases over the course of her career.
Ms. Smith is the past chair of the Indiana State Bar Association Family & Juvenile Law Section, and a past President of the Indiana Bar Foundation.
Attorney Smith's reputation as a dedicated client advocate has earned her the respect of both her clients and her peers. She has received an AV Preeminent peer review rating* from Martindale-Hubbell.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.
- 70%Family Law
- 30%Alternative Dispute Resolution
Child Support, Custody & Visitation, Divorce, Paternity, Prenuptial Agreements, Marital Property, Mediation & Collaborative Law
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2004 - 2022
Top Lists
- Top 25: 2022 Women Indiana Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2021 Women Indiana Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2020 Women Indiana Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2014 Women Indiana Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2012 Women Indiana Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2011 Women Indiana Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2010 Women Indiana Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2009 Indiana Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2009 Women Indiana Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2008 Women Indiana Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2007 Indiana Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2007 Women Indiana Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2006 Women Indiana Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2004 Women Indiana Super Lawyers
Additional Sources of Information About Deborah Farmer Smith
Visit my FindLaw® profile
About Deborah Farmer Smith
First Admitted: 1983, Indiana
Professional Webpage: http://www.cgglawfirm.com/Attorney-Profiles/Deborah-F-Smith....
Pro bono/Community Service
- First United Methodist Church in Noblesville, Pianist
Scholarly Lectures/Writings
- Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum, Speaker, Chaired
- "Survey of Recent Developments in Family Law", Indiana Law Review, Vol. 29, November 3, 1991
- Numerous ICLEF Seminar Publications
Special Licenses/Certifications
- Registered Mediator, Domestic Relations
- Certified Family Law Specialist, Family Law Certification Board
Representative Clients
- Harlan v. Harlan, 544 N.E.2d 553, Ind. Ct. App., 1989
- Hinkle Creek Friends Church v. Western Yearly Meeting of Friends Church, 469 N.E.2d 40, Ind. Ct. App. 1984
- Wallace v. Wallace, 829 N.E.2d 629, Ind. Ct. App., 1999
- Harlan v. Harlan, 560 N.E.2d 1246, Ind. Ct. App., 1990
- Porter v. Porter, 526 N.E.2d 219, Ind. Ct. App. 1988
Bar/Professional Activity
- Past Chair, Indiana State Bar Association, Family and Juvenile Law Section
- Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
- Indiana State Bar Association, 1983 - Present
- President, Indiana Bar Foundation, 1998 - 2000
- Indiana Bar Association, Board of Manager
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana, 1983
- Co-Chair, Family Law Certification Board, 2002 - 2020
- First Counsel to the President of the Indiana Bar Association
- Indiana, 1983
- Fellow, Indiana Bar Foundation
- Hamilton County Bar Association
Honors/Awards
- AV® Peer Review Rating in Martindale-Hubbell
- Top 25 Women Attorneys in Indiana
- Listed in Best Lawyers
- Gale M. Phelps Award, 2010
- ISBA, Three Presidential Citations
- Super Lawyer in family law by Indianapolis Monthly magazine
Educational Background
- Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana, B.S., Cum Laude, 1976
Last Updated: 6/30/2022