MEMBERS OF FIRM
Melissa J. Avery (Partner) born Columbus, Ohio, May 29, 1969; admitted to bar, 1994, Ohio; 1995, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio; 1997, Indiana and U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana; 1997. Education: Ohio University (B.S., cum laude, 1991); Capital University (J.D., 1994). Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (2006 to Present). Named Indianapolis Monthly Super Lawyer, 2005-2009, Top 25 Indiana Female Lawyers (2007-Present) and Top 50 Indiana Lawyers (2009); Who's Who in American Law 2005 to Present. Lecturer: "Hot Tips from Family Law Experts" ABA Annual Meeting, 2009; "How are Current Economic Conditions Affecting Dissolution Cases?" Indianapolis Bar Association Bench Bar Conference, 2009; "Advanced Family Law" National Business Institute, 2008; "Preparing for Trial: You've Tried to Settle, Now Prepare to Win" ABA Family Law Section Teleconference, 2008; "I Worked For It, I Sweated For It, It's Mine-Representing the Small Business Owner in Divorce" ABA Family Law Section Fall Meeting, 2007; "Hot Tips from the Experts" ABA Annual Meeting 2007; "How to Prepare for and Win a Final Contested Hearing" Indianapolis Bar Association, 2006; "Opening Pandora's Box-Division of Unusual Assets" ABA Family Law Spring Meeting, 2006; "Getting The Best Financial Settlement For Your Client" National Business Institute, 2005; "Hot Tips from the Trenches", ABA Annual Meeting, 2004; "High Asset Divorce" Indiana Continuing Legal Education Foundation, 2004; "Complex Issues in Divorce" National Business Institute, 2003 and 2004. Member: Indianapolis (Member: Family Law Section, Executive Committee (1999-2007) and Chair- Executive Committee (2002)); Indiana State (Delegate (2001 to Present); Co-Chair-Improvements in the Judicial System Committee (2002-2004); Member, Family Law Section: Treasurer (2006-2007), Secretary (2008-2009); House of Delegates Nominating Committee (2005); Chair-Committee on Hearings, House of Delegates (2007)); and American (Member, Family Law Section: Council Member (2005 to Present), Vice Chair-Marital Property Committee (2003-2004 and 2006-2007), Chair- Marital Property Committee (2007 to Present), Continuing Legal Education Committee (2008 to Present), Sponsorship & Fundraising Committee (2008 to Present), ; Family Law Section Council, 2005) Bar Associations. Fellow: Indiana State Bar Foundation and Indianapolis Bar Foundation. (Board Certified, Family Law Specialist, Indiana State Bar Association, Family Law Certification Board). Practice Areas: Family Law(100%).Email: Melissa J. Avery
Michael Cheerva (Partner) born Chicago, Illinois, May 14, 1960; admitted to bar, 1985, Indiana and U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana. Education: Wabash College (B.A., 1982); Indiana University (J.D., 1985). Named Indianapolis Monthly Super Lawyer, 2005-2009. Registered Family Law Mediator, 2008. Frequent Lecturer and Author. Member: Indianapolis (Member: Executive Committee, 1992-1999; Secretary-Treasurer, 1995; Chair, 1997; Family Law Section), Indiana State (Member, Family Law and Appellate Practice Sections) and American (Family Law Section) Bar Associations. Fellow: Indiana State Bar Foundation. (Board Certified, Family Law Specialist, Indiana State Bar Association, Family Law Certification Board). Practice Areas: Family Law; Appellate Practice.Email: Michael Cheerva
ASSOCIATE
Christopher J. Barrows (Associate) born Indianapolis, Indiana, February 2, 1972; admitted to bar, 1999, Indiana and U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana. Education: Goshen College (B.A., 1994); Indiana University School of Law (J.D., 1999). Registered Family Law Mediator, 2004. Frequent Lecturer for continuing legal education and parent coordinator training. Member: Hamilton County, Indianapolis (Member, Family Law Section Executive Committee), Indiana State (Member, Civil Rights of Children Committee, 2002-2004; Member, Sections on: Family Law; Young Lawyers) and American Bar Associations; Association of Family and Conciliation Courts. (Board Certified, Family Law Specialist, Indiana State Bar Association, Family Law Certification Board). Practice Areas: Family Law; Mediation.Email: Christopher J. Barrows
All Partners and Associates are members of the American, Indiana, and Indianapolis Bar Associations.