Andrea L. Ciobanu
Attorney Profile
Top Rated Appellate Attorney in Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis, IN 46268
- Appellate (20%),
- Civil Rights (30%),
- Family Law (20%),
- Alternative Dispute Resolution (10%),
- Civil Litigation: Plaintiff (10%),
- Criminal Defense: White Collar (10%)
- English,
- French
Andrea L. Ciobanu is the managing attorney at Ciobanu Law, PC, in Indianapolis, Indiana. She represents clients throughout Indiana in a range of civil rights and litigation matters, including real estate, business, commercial and defamation issues, family law, domestic matters, protective orders, education law and ADA Compliance, as well as Appeals and Post Conviction Relief. She also is a trained registered civil, domestic, and elder mediator, trained Parenting Coordinator, trained family arbitrrator, as well as a trained Guardian Ad Litem. Ms. Ciobanu is committed to providing clients with the highest levels of service and communication in a cost-effective manner.
Ms. Ciobanu earned her law degree from the Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis (now IU McKinney School of Law) in 2010. Prior to attending law school, she graduated from Indiana University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts with concentrations in sociology and history, followed by a Master of Public Affairs (MPA) from the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs in 2006. Among other awards, Ms. Ciobanu was awarded the John Paul Berlon and Norman Leftstein Awards in 2010, the National Association of Professional Women "Woman of the Year" Award (2011), the Emerging Pearls Foundation Social Justice Award (2011), as well as the Early Career Achievement Award from her Alma Mater, IU McKinney School of Law (2013). In 2012, Ms. Ciobanu was selected as only 1 of 25 lawyers across the state to attend the Indiana State Bar Leadership Academy, in which she was awarded a scholarship to attend. Andrea was accepted into the Trial Advocacy College in 2014 with a scholarship. Andrea was chosen as a national ABA Young Lawyer Scholar for 2013-14. Andrea was chosen as a 2016 ABA Law Practice Fellow and a 2017 ABA YLD Fellow. Ms. Ciobanu was awarded with the IU McKinney 2018 Public Interest Award.
Andrea is a 2016 SKL Lacy Leadership Graduate and a 2015 FBI Citizens Academy Graduate. Ms. Ciobanu is a 2017 graduate from the international Academy of Collaborative Professionals, whereby, she received her training in Honolulu, Hawaii. Ms. Ciobanu is a 2018 graduate of the Inangural Columbia Club Impact Program. Ms. Ciobanu has an AV Rating from Martindale Hubbell and a 10 Rating from AVVO.
Prior to creating Ciobanu Law, PC, Ms. Ciobanu worked for the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, as well as the Marion County Prosecutor's Office where she worked in the Domestic Battery Division, as well as the Post Conviction Relief Division. Prior to attending law school, Ms. Ciobanu also worked in a private law firm, where she primarily worked in tort and personal injury litigation. During graduate school, Ms. Ciobanu worked on several Housing and Urban Development projects. During graduate school, Ms. Ciobanu also participated in international law projects dealing with international human rights, including programs to address child labor through a branch of the United Nations, whereby she spent a semester abroad working on this program. Ms. Ciobanu continues to represent personal injury clients, cases involving civil and human rights, as well as battered women, children, and other individuals seeking protection through protective orders.
Ms. Ciobanu also volunteers her time to work on pro bono appeals through the Indiana State bar Association's Pro Bono Appellate Program. Ms. Ciobanu has argued before the Indiana Appellate and Supreme Courts.
Ms. Ciobanu also served as an independent contract consultant to the Indiana Supreme Court Strategic Initiative Grant Project, whereby she coordinated the pilot project in three counties across the state, primarily in family and civil litigation (2012-2014).
Outside the courtroom, Ms. Ciobanu enjoys giving back to her profession and her community through a number of organizations, including the American Bar Association as well as multiple local and state bar associations. She has served as the Chair of the Indiana State Bar Association's Alternative Dispute Resolution Section. As part of her program initiatives, she has worked on a statewide E-Discovery Pilot Project, Statewide Mediation Day Pilot Project, as well as a Disaster Relief Mediation Pilot Project. She is also a member of the Indianapolis American Inn of Court and the Indiana Association of Mediators. She has served on several boards and committees, including, but not limited to, the Indianapolis Bar Family Law and Women & the Law Executive Boards, the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis Paralegal Advisory Board, and the Indiana University Alumni Board, the ABA Disability Committee, as well as the Disability Legal Services of Indiana Board.
Ms. Ciobanu is fluent in American Sign Language and uses this skill to extend her practice to hearing-impaired people throughout Indiana and in federal court to advocate for equal access to the court system, as well as ADA Compliance. She also volunteers her time to several area organizations that serve underprivileged members of the community.
Appellate (20%): Appeals
Civil Rights (30%): Americans with Disabilities Act, Race Discrimination, Discrimination
Family Law (20%): Adoption, Dissolution, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Marital Property, Mediation & Collaborative Law, Father's Rights
Alternative Dispute Resolution (10%): Mediation
Civil Litigation (10%)
Criminal Defense: White Collar (10%): White Collar Crime
Appeals, Americans with Disabilities Act, Race Discrimination, Discrimination, Adoption, Dissolution, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Marital Property, Mediation & Collaborative Law, Father's Rights, Mediation, White Collar Crime
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Rising Stars: 2014 - 2019
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Additional Sources of Information About Andrea L. Ciobanu
About Andrea Ciobanu
Admitted: 2010, Indiana
Professional Webpage: http://ciobanulaw.com/attorneys/andreaciobanu/
Honors/Awards:
- Graduate of the Inangural Columbia Club Impact Program., Columbia Impact Graduate, Columbia Club, 2018
- Honored as the 2018 sole alumna for public interest law, community service, and contributions to the legal community., IU McKinney Public Interest Award, IU McKinney School of Law, 2018
- Judge, Pro Tempore, Marion County Courts, 2017
- SuperLawyers, Rising Star, 2017
- Trained in Indiana Family Law Arbitration by the Mediation Option Group., Family Law Arbitration Training, 2016
- SuperLawyers, Rising Star, 2016
- Stanley K. Lacy Leadership Series Graduate, 2016
- The Mission of the FBI Indianapolis Citizens Academy Alumni Association is to promote greater understanding and support of the FBI in the interest of national security and the protection of civil liberties. The FBI’s Citizens Academy is, without a doubt, the most effective tool the FBI utilizes to facilitate dialogue within the community and establish partnerships with those they serve., FBI Citizens Academy Graduate, 2015
- SuperLawyers, Rising Star, 2015
- Rising Stars, SuperLawyers, 2014
- Appellate Judges Institute - Scholarship Recipient, Indianapolis Bar Association, 2014
- Trial Advocacy College - Graduate & Scholarship Recipient, 2014
- AV Rating, Martindale Hubbell, 2014
- The Early Career Achievement Award is given each year to alumni who have made outstanding contributions to the legal profession, their communities, and/or the law school, and demonstrate the potential for continued success. Alumni must be within 10 years of graduating from IU McKinney to be considered for this honor. Prior honorees include Jonathan Burns, ’06; Tadd Miller, ’06; Andrea Ciobanu, ’10; and Janet Gongola, ’10., IU McKinney Early Career Achievement Award, IU McKinney School of Law, 2013
- Early Career Achievement Award, IU-McKinney School of Law, 2013
- Student of the Year Award Presented by Congressman Tim Roemer, 1999
- First Place Speech Contest, Indiana University, 2000
- HUD Fellow, Indiana University, 2004 - 2006
- CLEO Fellow, Indiana Supreme Court, 2007 - 2010
- Equal Justice Works Summer Scholar, 2009
- Indianapolis Bar Association Pro Bono Award of the Year, 2010
- Gold Pro Bono Award Indiana University School of Law- Indianapolis, 2010
- John Paul Berlon Award, 2010
- Norman Leftstein Award, 2010
- Young Lawyers Section, Indiana State Bar Association Scholarship Recipient, 2010
- Indianapolis Bar Association Family Law Section Bench & Bar Scholarship, 2011
- Emerging Pearls Foundation, Social Action and Human Justice Award, 2011
- National Association of Professional Women - Woman of the Year Award, 2011 - 2012
- Indiana State Bar Association's Leadership Academy, 2012
- Indianapolis Bar Association Pro Bono Award, 2010
Special Licenses/Certifications:
- Collaborative Law Professional- Training in Honolulu, Hawaii Collaborative Law Professional receives specialized training and works with a group and team of professionals to work through a "no-court" divorce., 2017
- Trained Indana Family Law Arbitrator, 2016
- Admitted to Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, 2016
- Admitted to the US Supreme Court., 2015
Bar/Professional Activity:
- Law Practice Liaison through the American Bar Association, 2018
- Indianapolis Bar Association's Women and the Law Division CLE Chair (2016, 2017, 2018)., 2018
- American Bar Association - Legal Practices Family Law Liaison (By Presidential Appointment), 2017
- Indiana State Bar Association's Alterntive Dispute Resolution Chair (2014-2016); Immediate Past Chair (2016-2018); Mediation Week Co-Chair (2014-2018); E-Discovery Pilot Project Chair (2014-2018); Disaster Relief Pilot Project Chair (2014-2018), 2016
- American Bar Association, Law Practice Division Executive Board, 2014
- Indianapolis Bar Association, Steering Committee, 2008
- Indiana State Board Association Governance Committee
- American Bar Association - YLD District 15 Representative
- Indiana Pro Bono Council
- Indiana State Bar Association's PLEADS Section
- Indianapolis Bar Association
- Indiana Trial Lawyers Association
- Indiana Mediation Association
- Indiana State Bar Association
- American Indianapolis Inn of Court
- American Bar Association
- Past-President, Indianapolis Equal Justice Works Division
- Indiana University Purdue Indianapolis Legal Services Committee
- Indiana University Alumni Board
- Indianapolis Bar Association, Law Student Executive Board
- Indiana State Bar Association, Alternative Dispute Resolution Section
- Communication & Education Co-Chair, Indiana State Bar Association's Wellness Committee
- Indianapolis Bar Association's Indy Bar Review Steering Committee
- Member, National Association of Professional Women, An Exclusive Membership for Female Professionals
- Community Service Chair, Indiana State Bar Association's Young Lawyer's Section Council
- Education Chair, Indiana State Bar Association's Young Lawyer's Section Council
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Indiana State Bar Association's Appellate Pro Bono Project, 2010
- Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 2010
- Executive Board, Indiana's Mediation Association
- Member, Indianapolis' Business Builders Goldstar Network
- Disability Legal Services of Indiana's Executive Board
- Volunteer, St. Joseph County Homeless Shelter
- Volunteer, Robinson Learning Center
- Volunteer, Kid's Peace
- Volunteer, Big Brothers/Big Sisters
- Volunteer, REAL Services
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- Moderator / Chair, Grow Your Practice Through Unbundling, American Bar Association, Bar Association, 2018
- et CLE, court updates, attend a great reception, AND celebrate women in the judiciary all in just two hours! Our discussion at this year’s roundtable will inform you about state, federal, and tax court current procedural and substantive issues, the effect of new laws and/or rule changes, caselaw updates, disclosure of confidential information, ESI preservation, tips and traps of e-filing federal/appellate cases and the new tax reforms for 2018 from the newly-appointed Magistrate Judge Doris L. Pryor, Indiana Court of Appeals Judge Melissa S. May, and Indiana Tax Court Judge Martha Blood Wentworth., Moderator / Chair, Judges Round Table, Indianapolis Bar Association, 2018
- Money matters. It connotes power, indicates success, and reveals a lawyer’s value to the firm. When a firm’s compensation practices do not provide equal pay for equal work, women leave. In the nation’s largest firms, women earn substantially less than men, as shown by ABA research and studies by other independent groups. The compensation gap persists even when hours and business development are equal. The gap widens with each step up the law firm ladder, all the way into the level of equity partners, where the greatest disparity exists. It's been 55 years since the Equal Pay Act was enacted. How much progress has been made and what else can we do to diminish the pay gap between men and women? Our speakers, two successful female attorneys, will review the Equal Pay Act and discuss where we stand today in relation to its statutes. We'll also relate our discussion to the Rules of Professional Conduct that cover responsibilities of a partner or supervisory lawyer, responsibilities of a subordinate lawyer and misconduct., Moderator / Chair, Gender Equality in Partner Compensation, Indianapolis Bar Association, Bar Association, 2018
- Speaker, Unleashing the Power of Microsoft and Adobe for Lawyers, National Business Institute, Bar Association, 2018
- Speaker, Adoption Made Simple - From Start To Finish, National Business Institute, Bar Association, 2018
- Moderator / Speaker, Dividing Marital Assets in a Divorce, American Bar Association, Bar Association, 2017
- Speaker / Panelist, Ethics and Equal Access to Justice in All Languages: Title VI and Consideration of Title II, American Bar Association, Bar Association, 2017
- Speaker, Mediation From Start To Finish, National Business Institute, Professional Bar Association, 2017
- Retirement plans are often among the largest marital assets subject to distribution in a marital dissolution, and the regulations surrounding retirement plans can be intricate and complex. In addressing the distribution of retirement plans, professional expertise, reasonable discovery, and sufficient education are strongly recommended for a family practitioner or any lawyer addressing such issues. This article seeks to provide a basic overview of retirement asset distribution, including issue spotting, caveats, and perhaps a few landmines to avoid., Co-Author, Dividing Marital Assets in a Divorce, American Bar Association, Bar Associations, 2015
- Co-Author, Out of the Darkness, American Bar Association, Bar Association, 2015
- Author, Family Law Updates, Indianapolis State Bar Association, Legal, 2014
- Author, Implicit Bias - What is it and Why Should Lawyers be Concerned?, Indiana State Bar Association, Legal, 2014
- Author, Mediation confidentiality; ADR rules review coming, Indiana Lawyer, Legal, 2013
- Lecturer, Indy Bar Review, 2010
- University of Notre Dame Law School Summer Conference of Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO) Program, 2007
- Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis' Law Repayment Assistance Program
- Master of Ceremonies Speech Contest, Indiana University, 2001
- "The Importance of Pro Bono Activities," Indiana School of Law-Indianapolis, 2009
- "The Second Annual Public Interest Dinner," Indiana Historical Society, 2010
- "How to Pass the Bar," Indianapolis Bar Association, 2010
- "Women and the Law: Overview of Domestic Violence in Indiana," Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, 2010
- "Riots, Rebellion & Rancor: Seventh Circuit Review of the Infamous Chicago Seven Trial," American Indianapolis Inn of Court, 2010
- "Tips For Taking the Indiana Bar," Indianapolis Bar Association, 2011
- "Tips For Taking the Indiana Bar," Indianapolis Bar Association, 2010
- "Estate Planning," Premier Women's Network, 2012
- "Passing Indiana's Essays on the Bar," Indianapolis Bar Association, 2012
- "Estate Planning," Goldstar Networking Group, 2011
- "Lanterns in the Sky - New Views on Gender," Indiana University South Bend, 2002
- Co-Author, "Oral Histories Collection," Indiana Civil Rights Heritage Center, 2003
- Co-Author, "At the Intersection - Arts Education, Cultural Policy, Community Development and Capacity Building," South Bend Heritage Foundation, 2006
Verdicts/Settlements:
- https://www.in.gov/judiciary/opinions/pdf/05091803par.pdf, 2018
Other Outstanding Achievements:
- Honored and chosen as an ABA YLD Fellow., 2017
- Chosen as a national ABA Law Practice Fellow., 2017
- Adjuct Professor of Law (Teaching Introductory Law Classes and Legal Ethics Classes), 2015
- Honored and Chosen as an ABA YLD Scholar, 2014
Videos:
- Pass the Torch for Women Foundation, Professional Women's Organization, 2013
Educational Background:
- IU McKinney School of Law, Roisman Schoolar, Equal Justice Works Scholar, 2010
- Indiana University, Bachelors of Liberal Arts in Sociology and History, With Highest Distinction, 2004
- Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA), Masters of Public Affairs Concentrating, With Highest Distinction, 2006
Industry Groups
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Attorneys
- Civil Mediator
- Collaborative Law
- Counselor
- Domestic Mediator
- Guardian Ad Litem
- Law
- Law Firm
- Lawyer
- Legal
- Mediation
- Mediator
- Parenting Coordinator
- Special Education Mediator
Andrea L. Ciobanu:
Last Updated: 11/8/2018