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MICHELE LYNN JACKSON is a partner in the law firm of Jocham Harden Dimick Jackson, PC. Ms. Jackson lectures in several states for a continuing series of seminars given by the International Adoption Seminars titled "How to Pursue International Adoption." She also has lectured for Altrusa International on, "A Child Without a Family," and for Anderson University several times, including topics "CHINS in Indiana," "Family Law and Policy," and "Social Work and the Law: How Our Two Worlds Collide." Her publications include, "New ILO Convention on Child Labour Adopted," Human Rights Tribune, Vol. 6, No. 3 and "Protection Project: Creating an International Framework for Legislation to Protect Women and Children from Commercial Sexual Exploitation," Human Rights Internet News. Ms. Jackson is an adjunct professor for Indiana University School of Law. She earned her B.A. degree, with honors, from Anderson University and J.D. degree from the Indiana University School of Law. Ms. Jackson is a member of the Indiana State (member, Young Lawyers Division, and Family Law Division, and former officer, Governmental Practices Division), Indianapolis (member, board member 2005, Women in Law Division, and Family Law Division) bar associations. She also is a member of The American Society of International Law, International Society of Family Law and Altrusa International (Professional Women's Organization, former executive board member). JOEL D. KIRSH is a partner in the Indianapolis law firm of Kirsh & Kirsh P.C. Mr. Kirsh's practice is limited exclusively to adoption law. He has previously spoken to various professional groups on adoption law. Mr. Kirsh is one of the hosts of the annual "Adoptive Parents and Kids Picnic." He earned his B.S. and J.D. degrees from Indiana University. Mr. Kirsh is a member of the Indianapolis, Hamilton County, Indiana State and American bar associations, and the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys (past network chairman). NATALIE SNYDER is an attorney with the firm Bingham McHale LLP, where she focuses her practice in matrimonial law and is a Certified Family Law Specialist, as certified by the Family Law Certification Board. She routinely provides assistance with divorce, custody, paternity, CHINS, support and visitation issues, marital agreements, post dissolution modifications or citations, negotiated custody agreements, guardianships, property disputes, divisions of pensions and other retirement accounts, allocation of liabilities, separation, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, and mediation and settlement. Ms. Snyder is a member of the Bingham McHale Women's Forum. She is a previous author and lecturer in her areas of expertise. Ms Snyder earned her B.A. degree from Purdue University and her J.D. degree from the Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis. She is admitted to practice in Indiana and before the U.S. District Court, Northern District Court of Indiana and before the U.S. District Court, Southern District Court of Indiana. Ms. Snyder is a member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and the American, Indianapolis and Indiana State bar associations. MEG STERCHI, ACSW, LCSW, a founder and the executive director of Adoptions of Indiana, is a licensed clinical social worker that specializes in the area of adoption. Ms. Sterchi has more than 25 years of experience in the fields of mental health and social work focusing on children and families, mental health and education. For the last 12 of those years she has focused on working with birth and adoptive families, preparing and supporting them throughout the adoption process. Ms. Sterchi's work focuses on the clinical issues surrounding private and international adoption. She firmly believes that adoption is a loving alternative to an unplanned pregnancy and is dedicated to the education and preparation of adoptive families and to the continuing improvement of the public's perception of adoption. Ms. Sterchi is guided by her philosophy that a major focus of adoption agencies should be to prepare, support and educate all parties involved in an adoption. Children are best served by parents who are well prepared to understand and deal with adoptive issues that arise throughout the adoptive lifecycle. Ms. Sterchi is a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers, Joint Council on International Children's Services and the North American Council for Adoptable Children. She earned her MSW degree from Indiana University School of Social Work and her B.A. degree from Purdue University. DERELLE WATSON-DUVALL earned her J.D. degree from Indiana University Law School in Indianapolis and has practiced law for 30 years. She is a former child welfare caseworker and served as counsel for the Marion County Office of Family and Children for 16 years. Ms. Watson-Duvall has represented adoption and guardianship petitioners in private practice. She currently represents the programs of Kids' Voice, including the Derelle Watson-Duvall Children's Law Center of Indiana, the Supervised Parent-Child Visitation Program and the Bette J. Dick GAL for Kids Program. Ms. Watson-Duvall is a member of the Indiana Children's Justice Task Force and Heartland Pro Bono Council. She was a co-author of the 1988 CHINS Deskbook, Updates, Supplements, Primer II and the CHINS Deskbook 2001 with Frances G. Hill. Ms. Watson-Duvall also was co-author of the 2007 Supplement to the CHINS Deskbook 2001 with Saundria Bordone. She received the Viola Talliafero Award from the Civil Rights of Children Committee of the Indiana State Bar Association in 1998 and received the ISBA Women in the Law Recognition Award in 2004 from the Indiana State Bar Association.
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