February 24th, 2012 | Posted by Leah | Posted in Custody, Divorce
Communicating with your former (or soon-to be former) spouse can be difficult. Emotions and disputes often make civil conversations difficult. However, it’s easier than ever to communicate without ever even speaking. Between email, social media and texting, we can now have a relationship or dialogue with pretty much anyone and never have to see them in person. On the reverse side of that, emails, social media and texts can be used to enhance or detract from your case in a divorce or custody battle.
Attorney Clarissa Finnell, a seasoned attorney who practices exclusively in the area of family law, explains that using media as a tool has become prevalent in her family law cases. Finnell explains, “Often times, a client comes in with emails or text messages to be submitted to the court to prove the spouse participating in inappropriate behavior, infidelity etc.” However, Finnell also warns that this very same documentation can also be used against the client. Finnell gives several tips on how to use technology in your favor for your divorce or custody dispute.
- Limit communication. Do not engage in or reply to any other communication unless it’s directly related to the children. Communication should be limited to information about children’s well-being, parenting time, education etc. This includes texts, emails and online private messages.
- Communication is important. While limiting communication is important, it’s also important not to withhold child-related information.
- Communicate via documented channels. Phone calls are hard to admit in a court. Emails and texts are much easier to submit to the court. Establish a preferred method to communicate with your ex-spouse and keep all communications, when possible, through this method.
- Save any emails, texts, Facebook posts or any other information you would like to submit to the court, but keep in mind that your ex-spouse can do the same. This is why it is important to abstain from any communication that isn’t informational or about the children.
- Do not post anything online that you wouldn’t want the court to see. Anything you post online including your status updates, pictures and even jobs you apply for can be used in court. This also includes pictures of your children.
Tags: child custody, Clarissa Finnell, divorce, technology
February 15th, 2012 | Posted by Leah Potter | Posted in Adoption, Collaborative Law
Press Contact:
Leah Potter
HARDEN JACKSON LLC
11450 N. Meridian, Carmel, IN 46032
Phone: 317.569.0770
Email: lpotter@hardenjacksonlaw.com
Web site: www.hardenjacksonlaw.com
For Immediate Release
ATTORNEYS FROM HARDEN JACKSON RECOGNIZED BY SUPER LAWYERS
CARMEL, IN – February 15, 2012 – Three attorneys from Harden Jackson, LLC have been recognized by Super Lawyers for 2012. Attorney Lanae Harden, who chairs the firm’s Family Law Practice Group, has been named to the “Super Lawyers” list as one of the top attorneys in Indiana for 2012. Attorney Michele Jackson, who chairs the firm’s Adoption and Reproductive Law Practice Group, has been named to the “Rising Stars” list as one of the top up-and-coming attorneys in Indiana for 2012. In addition, collaborative law attorney Clarissa Finnell has been named to the “Rising Stars” list.
The selection process for Super Lawyers employs a rigorous, multiphase process. Peer nominations and evaluations are combined with third party research. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Selections are made on an annual, state-by-state basis.
Super Lawyer Lanae Harden is a founding member of Harden Jackson, LLC where she practices divorce and family law litigation with more than 15 years of experience. She chairs the firm’s Family Law Practice Group and frequently handles complex custody and parenting time litigation cases. Rising Star Michele Jackson chairs the firm’s Adoption and Reproductive Law Practice Group and focuses her practice in domestic and international adoptions as well as reproductive law matters. Rising Star Clarissa Finnell is a seasoned attorney who practices exclusively in the area of family law, representing clients with cases including legal separation, divorce, child support, child custody, paternity, parenting time, modification and contempt issues.
Harden Jackson, LLC is a Carmel law firm providing personalized service with a responsive and compassionate approach. As effective and experienced litigators, the attorneys work with clients to develop strategies for negotiating settlements, while always preparing for litigation if necessary. The practice assists clients in all areas of family law, adoption and reproductive law matters. For more information, please contact Leah Potter at 317.569.0770 or www.hardenjacksonlaw.com .
Tags: Clarissa Finnell, Lanae Harden, Michele Jackson, Super Lawyers
April 7th, 2011 | Posted by Leah | Posted in Civic, Collaborative Law, Family Law, General Law, Mediation
Members of JHDJ Law spearheaded a joint effort with the Indiana State Bar Association’s Women in the Law Committee inaugural entitled “Lady Justice” on Saturday, March 26. The event was an educational program for the Girl Scouts of Central Indiana and took place at Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis with the help of 15 volunteer attorneys and judges.
Seventy-five Girl Scouts in third, fourth, and fifth grades participated in the program, with 23 troop leaders and parents. The
Scouts completed projects, listened to a panel discussion, shared lunch and watched a mock trial. Their participation will culminate in the Scouts earning a “Lady Justice” badge.
One of the projects combined jewelry-making with a lesson in civil rights. Each bead used to make a bracelet represented a civil right, such as the right to counsel in criminal matters. The second activity focused on setting goals and making smart decisions, and involved the Scouts drawing pictures of themselves at age 15, 25, and 50. During this activity, the volunteer attorneys and judges explained to the girls how to prepare for college and a career in law.
The panel discussion offered an opportunity for the attorneys to share their perspectives on being a female in a male-dominated career field. Marion Superior Court Judge Cynthia Ayers shared her experience of becoming a judge and the Scouts were encouraged to ask questions about the challenges of a legal career.
After lunch with the volunteers, the Scouts witnessed a mock trial for the Big Bad Wolf. The script for the mock trial was written by Jocham Harden Dimick Jackson attorney/mediator, Holly Wanzer, who is also a Girl Scout troop leader. Another member of JHDJ Law, Clarissa Finnell also volunteered. Organizers of the event noted that the firm’s founding partner, attorney/mediator Stephenie Jocham, originally suggested the idea of creating the event.
Volunteers pointed out that while the event focused on fun activities, the subject matter was taken seriously and respectfully.
“We didn’t want to dumb this down for the girls,” said Marion Superior Magistrate Vickie Ransberger, one of the organizers of the event. “They’re a lot more knowledgeable than some people might give them credit for. They care. They think about things that are important to them.”
Organizers suggested that the event could be replicated for Girl Scouts troops throughout Indiana and the country. Organizers worked closely with Girl Scouts administration to make sure qualifications merited a badge.
While the Lady Justice program is not the only law-related badge for Girl Scouts, it is the only one geared toward female-centric issues in the law and designed to encourage careers in the legal field.
Tags: Clarissa Finnell, Stephenie Jocham
May 18th, 2009 | Posted by Leah | Posted in Family Law
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Press Contact:
Amber Burton Small
JOCHAM HARDEN DIMICK JACKSON, PC
11450 N. Meridian
Carmel, IN 46032
Phone: 317.569.0770
Email Address: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Web site address: http://www.jhdj-law.com
ATTORNEY CLARISSA FINNELL JOINS FAMILY LAW GROUP AT CARMEL FIRM
CARMEL, IN – May 18, 2009 –JOCHAM HARDEN DIMICK JACKSON, PC, is pleased to announce that Attorney Clarissa Finnell has joined its Family Law Group.
Ms. Finnell is a seasoned attorney who practices exclusively in the area of family law representing clients with cases including legal separation, divorce, child support, child custody, paternity, parenting time, modification and contempt issues. A graduate of Indiana University, she completed her undergraduate degree in criminal justice before earning her Juris Doctor from IU’s School of Law-Indianapolis in 1997. For eight years, Ms. Finnell worked for the Indianapolis Legal Aid Society and was with another Indianapolis area family law firm immediately prior to joining JHDJ Law.
A member of the Indianapolis Bar Association, Ms. Finnell also sits as judge pro tempore for the Marion County Circuit Court-Paternity Division, usually hearing the child support enforcement docket.
JOCHAM HARDEN DIMICK JACKSON, PC provides personalized service with a responsive and compassionate approach. Experienced attorneys offer assertive advocacy for clients complemented by a philosophy focused on minimizing conflict and negotiating resolution. With a dynamic team of professionals, the practice assists clients in all areas of family law, collaborative law, adoption, mediation, business litigation and appeals. For more information, please contact Amber Burton Small at 317.569.0770, or visit http://www.jhdj-law.com.
Tags: Clarissa Finnell