AVERY & CHEERVA LLP
ATTORNEYS

Melissa J. Avery
Avery & Cheerva LLP
230 E Ohio St.
6th Floor
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2149
 
 
Communication Center  
Phone: (317) 637-7575
E-mail: mavery@averycheerva.com
Fax: (317) 685-1106
Web site: http://www.averycheerva.com


Position Areas of Practice Bar Admissions
Education Honors Affiliations
Representative Cases

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 was named one of Indiana's Top 25 Female Lawyers in 2007 and 2008. Ms. Avery is extreemly active in local, state and national bar associations providing her with input regarding legislation and policy effecting family law litigants throughout the United States.
Current Employment Position(s):
Partner
Areas Of Practice:
100% Family Law
Certifications/Specialties:
Certified Family Law Specialist, 2002
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
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

Representative Cases:
Randolph v. Randolph, 722 N.E. 2d 867 (Ind. App. 2000)
Classes/Seminars Taught:
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
Honors and Awards:
Fellow - American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2006 - Present
 
Indiana Super Lawyer, 2005 - 2008
 
Top 25 Female Lawyers in Indiana, 2007 - 2008
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
Past Employment Positions:
Terry L. Thomas Co., L.P.A., 1991 - 1997
Pro Bono Activities:
Heartland Pro Bono Project
Indianapolis Bar Association, Superior Court Pro Bono Project
Fraternities/Sororities:
Sigma Kappa
Birth Information:
1969, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.

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