Michael Cheerva is an Indiana Certified Family Law Specialist (per the Family Law Certification Board) and a Registered Indiana Family Law Mediator. In addition to mediation, he offers arbitration, Guardian ad Litem, and Parenting Coordination services. Mr. Cheerva has been named an Indiana Super Lawyer every year since 2005 by Law and Politics Magazine. He has also earned Martindale-Hubbell’s coveted AV-Preeminent rating demonstrating the highest possible peer review rating in legal ability and ethical standards.

Mr. Cheerva has extensive trial, litigation, and appellate experience in all aspects of matrimonial law, including asset division, custody and parenting time, paternity, and jurisdictional disputes. His appellate practice began in 1987 and includes presentation of oral argument before the Indiana Supreme Court and Court of Appeals.

He is a member of the ABA Sections of Family Law, Alternate Dispute Resolution, and Law Practice Management, and the Family Law and Appellate Practice Sections of the Indiana State Bar Association. He is a past Chairman of the Family Law Section of the Indianapolis Bar Association. He is a frequent presenter of Continuing Legal Education for local organizations and the Indiana Bar. He participates in pro bono activities by providing family law services to low income clients.

Mr. Cheerva was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1960. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Wabash College in 1982 and his Juris Doctorate from Indiana University-Robert H. McKinney School of Law in 1985.

Certified Legal Specialties

Certified Family Law Specialist, Family Law Certification Board, 2007

Bar Admissions

Indiana, 1985
U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana, 1985
U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana, 1985

Education

Indiana University School of Law, Indianapolis, Indiana
J.D. – 1985
Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Indiana
B.A. – 00/1982
Honors: Dean’s List
Major: Political Science

Representative Cases

Anderson v. Anderson, 870 N.E.2d 31 Unpublished Disposition, 2007, Ind.App.
Eye v. Eye, 849 N.E.2d 698, 2006, Ind.App.
Glover v. Torrence, 723 N.E. 2d 924, 2000, Ind. App., 2000055418
Randolph v. Randolph, 722 N.E. 2d 867, 2000, Ind. App., 2000040246
Glass v. Oeder, 716 N.E. 2d 413, 1999, Ind., 1999217816
In Re Marriage of Russell, 693 N.E. 2d 980, 1998, Ind. App., 1998094715
In Re Paternity of J.W.L., 693 N.E. 2d 959, 1998, Ind. App., 1998081385
In Re Marriage of Thomas, 688 N.E. 2d 197, 1997, Ind. App., 1997227515
Matter of Estate Lamey, 689 N.E. 2d 1265, 1997, Ind. App., 1997249104
In Re Paternity of J.W. L., 682 N.E. 2d 519, 1997, Ind. App., 1997137406
J.W.L. by J.L.M. v. A.J.P., 672 N.E. 2d 966, 1996, Ind. App., 1996253597
Johnson v. Nation, 615 N.E. 2d 141, 1993, Ind. App., 1993118797

Classes/Seminars

Preventing Critical Financial Mistakes in Divorce, NBI, 2007 to 2007
Hot Topics in Custody and Parenting Time, Indianapolis Bar Association, 2007 to 2007
Shared Parenting in Indiana, NBI, 2004 to 2004

Honors and Awards

Indiana Super Lawyer
Martindale-Hubbell’s Coveted AV-Preeminent Rating

Professional Associations and Memberships

Indianapolis Bar Association, Family Law Section, Executive Committee, 1993 to 2000
Indianapolis Bar Association, Family Law Section, Past Chairman, 1997 to 1997
Indiana State Bar Association, Member, 1985
Indiana State Bar Association, Family Law Section, Member, 1985
Indiana State Bar Association, Member, Law Practice Management Committee, 2003 to 2005
Indiana State Bar Association, Member, State Legislation Committee, 2003 to 2005
Indiana Bar Foundation, Fellow, 2007
Indiana State Bar Association, ABA Sections of Family Law, Member
Indiana State Bar Association, Alternate Dispute Resolution, Member
Indiana State Bar Association, Appellate Practice Section, Member

Past Employment Positions

Marion County Prosecutor, Deputy Prosecutor, 1985 to 1987
Rucker & Cheerva, 1987 to 1990
Phelps & Fara, 1990 to 2003