Debra Cherry
BSc, LLB, MPA, Cert IV TAE Australian Legal Practitioner
Head of Digital Learning
Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Science
Masters in Practising Accounting
Certificate IV Training and Assessment
Deb commenced legal practice with three years at a medium-sized country law firm, working primarily in family law, civil litigation, criminal law and conveyancing. She then moved back to the city and practised for more than 10 years in a Melbourne law firm, primarily in family law and wills and deceased estates, becoming a partner of the firm. During her time in private practice, Deb also ran and supervised work experience and professional placement programs. Later, Deb moved into in-house legal counsel roles in two different companies, advising on contracts, corporations law, leases, regulatory changes, and developing and implementing policies and procedures for legal compliance for the company.
Memberships
Deb is a former member and Chair of the Education Committee of the Family Law section of the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV), a former member of the Executive Committee of the Family Law section of the LIV, and a former Secretary of the Western Suburbs Law Association.
Deb has also previously been a member of a number of community-based committees, including being president of a community kindergarten, a board member and treasurer for a not-for-profit art gallery and president and treasurer of a private investment trust.
Achievements/Special Interests
Deb has a particular interest in education and mentoring students, which she developed in private practice and in her involvement with the LIV and continues to explore in her work at Leo Cussen.
She has a keen interest in movie production and worked on a couple of short films. She has incorporated this interest into educational learning design and enjoys applying her skills in the online learning environment.
Deb has also worked as a volunteer lawyer in a number of Community Legal Centres in the eastern and western suburbs.
As a practitioner of lifelong learning, Deb completed a Masters of Practising Accounting at Monash University as a mature aged student and was awarded Top Graduating Student.
