Melanie K. Reichert
Of Counsel
Melanie K. Reichert joined the Family Law Group at Broyles Kight & Ricafort, P.C. in August 2004. With training in mediation and collaborative law (“no court divorce”), she emphasizes making every effort to resolve family conflict during divorce without costly and devastating litigation. However, she is also an experienced family law litigator who frequently assists clients in hearings addressing complicated custody matters, jurisdictional issues, child and spousal support, allegations of child abuse or neglect, allegations of domestic violence, and property distribution. Melanie helps children find permanency by assisting their foster parents, relatives or step-parents in completing adoptions. She also helps individuals attempt to avoid future conflict by drafting premarital agreements, wills, simple trusts, and other basic estate documents. Melanie advocates for children as a volunteer Guardian ad Litem and a private Guardian ad Litem.
Prior to joining Broyles Kight & Ricafort, P.C., Melanie K. Reichert was a partner at an Indianapolis law firm and served as a part-time judicial officer in Marion County Circuit Court, paternity division. She is married with three children.
Professional Associations and Distinctions
- Indianapolis Bar Association
- Co-Chair, Bench Bar Steering Committee, 2014
- Bench Bar Steering Committee, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2019
- Sunset Committee, 2011
- Chair, Family Law Section, 2009
- Chair-elect, Family Law Section, 2008
- Secretary, Family Law Section, 2007
- Bar Leader Series, 2009
- Family Law Section, Member
- Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, Executive Committee, 2018; Chair 2019
- Indianapolis Bar Foundation
- Board of Directors, 2014, 2015,2016, 2017, 2018, Counsel to the Board 2019
- Chair, Impact Fund Committee, 2014
- Impact Fund Committee, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015
- Development Committee, 2013, 2015
- Indiana State Bar Association, Member
- Hamilton County Bar Association – Member
- President, Executive Committee, 2018-2019
- Vice President, Executive Committee, 2016-2018
- Secretary, Executive Committee, 2014-2016
- Mock Trial Judge, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
- Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC)-Indiana Chapter
- Immediate Past President, 2018
- President, 2017
- Vice President, 2016
- Membership Committee Chair, 2016
- Marketing Committee Chair, 2017
- Secretary, 2015
- Inaugural Board of Directors for Indiana Chapter, 2013-2015
- Central Indiana Association of Collaborative Professionals (CIACP)
- Board Member, 2019
- Inaugural Board of Directors, 2011-2013
- Immediate Past President, 2015-2017
- President, 2013-2015
- President-Elect 2011-2013
- Indiana Supreme Court
- Hearing Officer, Attorney Discipline Cases, 2010-Present
- American Bar Association
- Member, Family Law Section
- Speaker, 2014 Family Law Section Spring Conference; Southhampton, Bermuda
- Speaker, 2014 Webinar
- Speaker, 2016 Family Law Section Fall Conference; Quebec City
- Law Practice Management and Technology Committee Chair, 2018
- Speaker, 2018 Family Law Section Fall Conference; Tuscon, AZ
Bar Admissions
- Indiana
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit
Education
- Millikin University, B.A., 1994
- Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis, J.D., 1998
Civic Organizations and Volunteerism
- Child Advocates, Guardian ad Litem volunteer
- Hamilton County GAL program volunteer
- Marion County Modest Means Mediation Program Provider
- Marion County Pro Bono Project Service Provider
- Indianapolis Bar Association Legal Line Volunteer
- Make-a-Wish volunteer and donor
- Joy’s House volunteer and donor
- Lantern Road Elementary PTO, Treasurer 2013-2015
Seminars & Speaking Events
- The Double Dip, October 2018
- Custody Evaluations and Experts, 2018 Bench Bar Conference
- Personality Disorders in Family Law, September 2017, March 2017, October 2016 and July 2016
- Financial Experts in Family Law, November 2016
- Relocation Ruckus, November 2016
- Tips for Testifying, October 2016
- Career Panel at Robert H McKinney Law School, February 2016
- State of Collaborative Law in Central Indiana, March 2016
- Parenting Coordinator in Indiana, September 2015
- Dividing Assets in the Digital Age, December 2015 (webinar)
- Ethics in Collaborative Law, April 2014
- Dividing Assets in the Digital Age, May 2014 (presentation)
- Dividing Assets in the Digital Age, November 2014 (webinar)
- Debunking Common Misconceptions of Collaborative Law 2014
- Mental Health Professionals in Family Law Cases 2013
- Introduction to Interdisciplinary Collaborative Law, 2013, 2012
- Evidence: Is it in or is it out? 2012
- Indiana Family Law Arbitration, 2012
- Effective Use of Custody Evaluations in Divorce, 2011
- Parenting Coordination, 2011
- Jurisdiction in Family Law Cases, 2010
- Advanced Issues in Divorce, 2010
- Family Law Summit, 2010
- Advanced Family Law, 2009
- Pitfalls on International Adoption for Paralegals 2009
- Helping Clients Through Difficult Custody Cases 2008
- Sexual Abuse Allegations in Family Law Cases, 2008
- Collaborative Law in Indiana 2008
- Helping Clients Through Difficult Custody Cases 2007
- Joint Custody and Creating Parenting Plans 2007
- Non-Traditional Families and the Law 2007
- Settlement Conferences in Family Cases 2006
- Collaborative Law, Bench/Bar Conference 2006
- High Conflict Custody Cases 2005
- Custody and Share Parenting in Indiana 2005, 2003
- Family Law Misconception Jeopardy 2001, 2002
- Indiana Family Law Practice for Paralegals 2001
Published Cases
- “Authenticating Facebook Posts, Photos and Other Evidence,” Family Advocate, Spring 2015