Avery, Melissa J.

Current Employment Position(s)

Partner

Lawyer Overview

Melissa J. Avery received her license to practice law in November of 1994. She began her career in a general civil law office in Columbus, Ohio where she concentrated her practice in the area of family law. After moving to Indianapolis in 1998, Ms. Avery joined Phelps & Fara, a practice limited exclusively to family law. Currently a partner in her own firm, Avery & Cheerva, LLP., Ms. Avery became a Certified Family Law Specialist-Family Law Certification Board in 2002, has been named as an Indiana Super Lawyer since 2005, was granted fellowship in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers in 2006 and the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers in 2011. She has been named as one of Indiana's Top 25 Female Lawyers since 2007 and as one of Indiana's Top 50 Lawyers since 2009. Ms. Avery is extremely active in local, state and national bar associations providing her with input regarding legislation and policy effecting family law litigants throughout the United States.

Melissa Jane Avery

Frequent Case Types

• Family Law Appeal in Indianapolis, IN
• Family Law Mediation in Indianapolis, IN

Areas of Practice

• Family Law 100%

Representative Cases

• Randolph v. Randolph, 722 N.E. 2d 867 (Ind. App. 2000)

West Practice Categories

Family Law

Bar Admissions

• Ohio, 1994
• Indiana, 1997
• U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio, 1995
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana, 1997
• U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana, 1997

Certification/Specialties

• Certified Family Law Specialist - Family Law Certification Board, 2002

Professional Associations and Memberships

• International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, March 8, 2011 - Present (Fellow)
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2011 - Present (CLE Planning Program Chair)
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2006 - Present (Fellow)
• American Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2011 - Present (Vice Chair - Long Range Planning Committee)
• American Bar Association-Family Law Section, 2008 - Present (CLE Planning Committee)
• American Bar Association, Family Law Section, August 1, 2005 - Present (Council Member)
• America Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2007 - 2010 (Chair - Marital Property Committee)
• American Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2003 - 2004 (Vice Chair-Marital Property Committee)
• American Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2000 - Present (Member)
• American Bar Association, 1994 - Present (Member)
• Indiana State Bar Association, 2010 - Present (Member, Board of Governors)
• Indiana State Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2010 - Present (Chair Elect)
• Indiana State Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2008 - 2009 (Secretary)
• Indiana State Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2006 - 2007 (Treasurer)
• Indiana State Bar Association, 2005 (House of Delegates Nominating Committee)
• Indiana State Bar Association, 2002 - 2004 (Co-Chair, Judicial Improvement Committee)
• Indiana State Bar Association, 2002 - Present (Fellow)
• Indiana State Bar Association, 2001 - Present (Delegate)
• Indiana State Bar Association, Family Law Section, 1997 - Present (Member)
• Indiana State Bar Association, 1997 - Present (Member)
• Indianapolis Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2002 (Chair)
• Indianapolis Bar Association, 1999 - 2007 (Member, Family Law Executive Committee)
• Indianapolis Bar Association, 1997 - Present (Member)
• Sagamore American Inn of Court, 2001 - 2002 (Associate Member)
• Marion County Family Court Advisory Committee, 2002 - Present (Member)
• Marion County Family Court Task Force, 2001 - 2002 (Member)
• Marion County Family Law Rules Committee, 2000 - Present (Member)
• Ohio State Bar Association, 1994 - 1998 (Member)
• Columbus Bar Association, 1994 - 1997 (Member)

Honors and Awards

• Indiana Super Lawyer, 2005 - 2008
• Top 25 Female Lawyers in Indiana, 2007 - 2008
• Top 50 Lawyers in Indiana, 2009 - 2011

Classes and Seminars

• Do You Have What It Takes - Family Law Practice?, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Forensic Accounting Conference, 2010 - Present
• Hot Topics in Family Law , American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Forensic Accounting Conference, 2010 - Present
• Machiavellian Negotiation and Mediation Techniques, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Forensic Accounting Conference, 2009 - Present
• Hot Topics in Family Law, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Forensic Accounting Conference, 2009 - Present
• Hot Tips From Family Law Experts, American Bar Association Annual Meeting, 2009 - Present
• How Are Current Economic Conditions Affecting Dissolution Cases?, Indianapolis Bar Association Bench Bar Conference, 2009 - Present
• Advanced Family Law , National Business Institute, 2008 - Present
• Preparing for Trial: You've Tried to Settle, Now Prepare to Win, ABA Family Law Section Teleconference, 2008 - Present
• I Worked For It, I Sweated For It, It's Mine- Representing the Small Business Owner in Divorce, American Bar Association-Family Law Section, 2007
• Hot Tips from the Experts, American Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2007
• Opening Pandora's Box - Division of Unusual Assets, American Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2006
• Getting the Best Financial Settlement for Your Divorce Client in Indiana, National Business Institute, 2005
• High Asset Divorce, Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum, 2004
• Complex Issues in Divorce, National Business Institute, 2003 - 2004

Pro Bono Activities

• Heartland Pro Bono Project
• Indianapolis Bar Association, Superior Court Pro Bono Project

Past Employment Positions

• Terry L. Thomas Co., L.P.A., 1991 - 1997

Education

• Capital University Law School, Columbus, Ohio, 1994
  J.D.
  Honors: Order of the Curia
• Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, 1991
  B.S.
  Honors: cum laude

Fraternities/Sororities

• Sigma Kappa

Offers Free Initial Consultation

Accepts Credit Cards

Address

One N. Pennsylvania Street
Suite 405
Indianapolis, IN 46204-3135

Office Hours

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Phones

317-643-7106
877-742-4260

Faxes

317-685-1106

Emails

Contact Us

Websites

http://www.averycheerva.com