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 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 has been named as one of Indiana's Top 25 Female Lawyers since 2007 and as one of Indiana's Top 50 Lawyers in 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

online at

visit superlawyers.com

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, 2002

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Columbus Bar Association, 1994 - 1997 (Member)
• Ohio State Bar Association, 1994 - 1998 (Member)
• Indianapolis Bar Association, 1997 - Present (Member)
• Indianapolis Bar Association, 1999 - 2007 (Member, Family Law Executive Committee)
• Indianapolis Bar Association (Chair, Family Law Section 2002)
• Indiana State Bar Association, 1997 - Present (Member)
• Indiana State Bar Association, Family Law Section, 1997 - Present (Member)
• Indiana State Bar Association, 2001 - Present (Delegate)
• Indiana State Bar Association, 2002 - Present (Fellow)
• Indiana State Bar Association, 2002 - 2004 (Co-Chair, Judicial Improvement Committee)
• Indiana State Bar Association, 2005 (House of Delegates Nominating Committee)
• Indiana State Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2006 - 2007 (Treasurer)
• Indiana State Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2008 - Present (Secretary)
• American Bar Association, 1994 - Present (Member)
• American Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2000 - Present (Member)
• American Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2003 - 2004 (Vice Chair-Marital Property Committee)
• American Bar Association, Family Law Section, August 1, 2005 - Present (Council Member)
• America Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2007 - Present (Chair - Marital Property Committee)
• Marion County Family Court Task Force, 2001 - 2002 (Member)
• Marion County Family Court Advisory Committee, 2002 - Present (Member)
• Marion County Family Law Rules Committee, 2000 - Present (Member)
• Sagamore American Inn of Court, 2001 - 2002 (Associate Member)

Honors and Awards

• Fellow - American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2006 - Present
• Indiana Super Lawyer, 2005 - 2008
• Top 25 Female Lawyers in Indiana, 2007 - 2008

Classes and Seminars

• 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

Address

One N. Pennyslvania St.
Suite 405
Indianapolis, IN 46204

Office Hours

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

Phones

(317) 637-7575

Faxes

(317) 685-1106

Emails

Contact Us

Websites

http://www.averycheerva.com