Attorney Profiles

Michael G. Ruppert 
Indianapolis, Indiana
President/Partner, since 1996
phone (317) 580-9295
fax (317) 580-9298
email Email Me

MICHAEL G. RUPPERT is the senior partner in the law firm of Ruppert & Schaefer, P.C.  Since his admission to the legal profession in 1978, he has represented clients in virtually all areas of Family Law.  In addition to trial and appellate court representation of his own clients, he is certified to mediate family law disputes between divorced spouses who are referred to him by courts, other lawyers and counselors.

Mr. Ruppert received his undergraduate degree from Indiana University and his Juris Doctorate from Cleveland Marshall College of Law.  He has taught at and written materials for continuing legal education seminars for lawyers on topics including asset distribution in divorce, child custody and support matters, and pension and retirement benefits.  Additionally, he has authored a number of articles for the Indiana University Law Review concerning the development of issues and legal author in family law.  Mr. Ruppert is a member of the Executive Committee of the Indianapolis Bar Association's Family Law Section, which services as a liaison between the bar and local family law courts as well as provides information to attorneys handling family law cases.  He is also a member of the American and Indiana Bar Associations.

Year Joined Organization:
1996
Areas of Practice:
Divorce
Family Law
Litigation Percentage:
100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Certification/Specialties:
Certified Family Law Specialist


Bar Admissions:
Indiana, 1978
U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana
U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit
Education:
Cleveland State University, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Cleveland, Ohio
Honors: Editor-in-Chief, The Gavel


National Institute of Trial Advocacy, Midwest Regional Institute, 1983


Indiana University, 1974
B.A.


Published Works:
Family Law An Analysis of Current Issues of Interest to the Practitioner -- The Impact of Relocation On Custody Litigation: A Look at the Law, Case Evaluation, Negotiation and Trial, ICLEF, 1989


Matrimonial Law -- Military Retirement Benefits In Or Out Of The Pot?, ICLEF, 1990


Matrimonial Law -- Military Retirement Benefits In Or Out Of The Pot?, The Indiana Fellows of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 1990


Child Custody and Visitation in Indiana: Discovery Techniques; Experts; Modification; Ethical Considerations (Co-Author), National Business Institute, Inc., 1991


Divorce Drafting -- Notice and Intent to Leave Jurisdiction, ICLEF, 1991


Family Law Continuing Legal Education -- Worksheet Oriented Summary of Amendments to Child Support Guidelines With Cases to Watch (Co-Author), Indianapolis Bar Association, 1993


Family Law Continuing Legal Education -- Legislative Amendments to Indiana's Child Custody Statutes, Indianapolis Bar Association, 1994


Equitable Distribution in Divorce Settlements in Indiana, National Business Institute, 1996


Hot Tips From Family Law Experts, ICLEF, 1998


Statewide Visitation Guidelines, Grandparent Visitation, Relocation and Paternity, Indianapolis Bar Association, 2001


Planning Your First Divorce Case, ICLEF, 2001


Family Law, Case Law and Ethics Update, Indianapolis Bar Association, 2001


Tax Issues for Family Law Practitioners, Indianapolis Bar Association, 2001


Developments in Social Security Law, Indiana Law Review, Volume 22, 1989


Survey of Recent Developments in Family Law, Indiana Law Review, Volume 23, 1990


Developments in Social Security Law (Co-Author), Indiana Law Review, Volume 24, 1991


The Continuing Evolution of Indiana's Family Law (Co-Author), Indiana Law Review, Volume 25, 1992


The Progression of Indiana's Family Law in 1992 (Co-Author), Indiana Law Review, Volume 26, 1993


1995 Survey of Indiana Family Law (Co-Author), Indiana Law Review, Volume 29, 1996


Survey of Indiana Family Law in 1996, Indiana Law Review, Volume 30, 1997


Representative Cases:
Hammes v. Brumley, 659 N.E.2d 1021 (Ind. 1995)
Classes/Seminars Taught:
Lecturer, Family Law An Analysis of Current Issues of Interest to the Practitioner -- The Impact of Relocation On Custody Litigation: A Look at the Law, Case Evaluation, Negotiation and Trial, ICLEF, 1989


Lecturer, Matrimonial Law -- Military Retirement Benefits In Or Out Of The Pot?, ICLEF, 1990


Lecturer, Matrimonial Law -- Military Retirement Benefits In Or Out Of The Pot?, The Indiana Fellows of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 1990


Lecturer, Child Custody and Visitation in Indiana: Discovery Techniques; Experts; Modification; Ethical Considerations, National Business Institute, Inc., 1991


Lecturer, Divorce Drafting -- Notice and Intent to Leave Jurisdiction, ICLEF, 1991


Lecturer, Family Law Continuing Legal Education -- Worksheet Oriented Summary of Amendments to Child Support Guidelines With Cases to Watch, Indianapolis Bar Association, 1993


Lecturer, Family Law Continuing Legal Education -- Legislative Amendments to Indiana's Child Custody Statutes, Indianapolis Bar Association, 1994


Lecturer, Equitable Distribution in Divorce Settlements in Indiana, National Business Institute, 1996


Lecturer, Hot Tips From Family Law Experts, ICLEF, 1998


Lecturer, Family Law, PEC Bar Review for Indiana, 1998 - 1999


Lecturer, Statewide Visitation Guidelines, Grandparent Visitation, Relocation and Paternity, Indianapolis Bar Association, 2000


Lecturer, Planning Your First Divorce Case, ICLEF, 2001


Lecturer, Family Law, Case Law and Ethics Update, Indianapolis Bar Association, 2001


Lecturer, Tax Issues for Family Law Practitioners, Indianapolis Bar Association, 2001


Lecturer, Family Law, Indiana Bar Review, 2000 - Present


Professional Associations and Memberships:
Indianapolis Bar Association, Family Law Section
Executive Committee


Indiana State Bar Association, Family Law Section


American Bar Association, Family Law Section


ISBA Hague Convention International Child Abduction Case Referral Volunteer


Indiana Association of Mediators


Indianapolis Athletic Club


Immaculate Heart of Mary Church
Member


Past Employment Positions:
Miroff, Cross, Ruppert & Klineman, Of Counsel, 1991 - 1996


Ruge & Ruppert, Partner, 1986 - 1991


Barteau & Deal, Associate, 1984 - 1986


Ancel, Miroff & Frank, P.C., Associate, 1981 - 1984


Legal Services Organization of Indiana, Inc., Staff Attorney, Children's Rights Project


Cleveland Legal Aid Society, Legal Intern


Ruppert & Schaefer, P.C.
2910 E. 96th Street, Suite D
Indianapolis, Indiana 46240
Phone
317.580.9295
Fax
317.580.9298
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