Practice Areas: Family Law, Estate Planning & Probate, Alternative Dispute Resolution; view more
Licensed in Indiana since: 2001
Education: University of South Carolina School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2020 - 2024 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2010 - 2011 Details
Attorney Jessica S. Lacy is the founder and owner of Lacy Law Office in Indianapolis, Indiana. A top-rated lawyer with more than 19 years of legal experience, Ms. Lacy focuses her practice primarily on family law, including divorce, child custody and support, adoptions and other related matters. She also handles all aspects of estate planning, probate law and guardianships as well as civil litigation.
Serving clients throughout the greater Indianapolis Metro and all across the state, Ms. Lacy has achieved significant success assisting her clients with some of the most important decisions they will have to make regarding their families. She holds her certification in Family Law Mediation, and she has helped many clients resolve their conflicts and reach agreements concerning their family law issues without having to resort to costly, stressful litigation.
Moreover, Ms. Lacy has received considerable training as a Parenting Coordinator, and she routinely acts as Guardian ad Litem in contentious custody cases. She has also gained considerable experience handling matters involving complex commercial litigation and intellectual property law as well as corporate law and employment law. Drawing upon her in-depth legal knowledge, she routinely conducts lectures and continuing legal education seminars across her region on a variety of legal topics, and she maintains the Indianapolis Family Law blog.
A 1997 graduate of Hanover College, Ms. Lacy obtained her Juris Doctor in 2000 from the University of South Carolina School of Law. While pursuing her legal degree, she served as legal clerk for the South Carolina Department of Education and the South Carolina Department of Revenue.
Ms. Lacy is a member of the Indiana State Bar Association, the Hancock County Bar Association and the Indianapolis Bar Association, among her other professional affiliations. She has volunteered her time and services with the Ask A Lawyer program, and she regularly contributes her Guardian Ad Litem services pro bono for Kid's Voice. Ms. Lacy currently serves on the Boards for the Hancock County Arts and for the Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen.
Practice areas
Family Law, Estate Planning & Probate, Alternative Dispute ResolutionFocus areas
Child Support, Custody & Visitation, Dissolution, Divorce, Guardianships & Conservatorships, Juvenile Law, Living Wills, Marital Property, Mediation, Mediation & Collaborative Law, Name Change, Paternity, Power of Attorney, Prenuptial Agreements, Probate & Estate Administration, Same Sex Family Law, Trusts, Wills
- 70% Family Law
- 20% Estate Planning & Probate
- 10% Alternative Dispute Resolution
First Admitted: 2001, Indiana
Professional Webpage: http://www.lacylawoffice.com/Attorneys_and_Staff.html
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Volunteer Guardian ad litem for kids' Voice of Indiana, 2010
- Volunteer Guardian ad litem for kids' Voice of Indiana, 2008
- Volunteer Guardian ad litem for kids' Voice of Indiana, 2009
- Volunteer Guardian ad litem for kids' Voice of Indiana, 2007
- Ms. Lacy organized and implemented the first pro bono Hancock County Mediation Day to offer free mediation services in family law cases in Hancock County, IN. , 2019
- Ms. Lacy continued her efforts to bring pro bono mediation services to Hancock County family law cases by organizing the Hancock County Mediation Day in March 2020. Ms. Lacy recruited volunteer mediators and donated her mediation space for Mediation Day. , 2020
- In December 2018, Ms. Lacy helped to form Cumberland CAST, Inc., a non-profit organization focused on supporting the arts and enhancing public spaces in and around Cumberland, Indiana. Ms. Lacy currently serves as the President of the Board., 2018
- Ms. Lacy joined the Board of the Hancock County Arts Council in February 2019, and in August 2019, Ms. Lacy assumed the office of Secretary. , 2019
- Volunteer Guardian ad litem, Kids' Voice of Indiana, 2006
- Organizer and volunteer mediator for Hancock County Mediation Day. Ms. Lacy organized Hancock County's first pro bono Mediation Day to assist family law litigants with providing free mediation services on June 19, 2019. This mediation day was a success, and Ms. Lacy organized a second pro bono mediation day on September 24, 2019, which resulted in 75% of the cases referred for the pro bono mediation reaching full settlements. On September 24, 2019, Ms. Lacy and the other 2 mediators in her firm donated a combined 18 hours of pro bono mediation services., 2019
- Mediator, pro bono mediation at Mediation Day for Marion County Paternity Court, 2016
- Modest Means Mediator, Marion County Modest Means Mediation, 2014
- Core Team Member for Hometown Collaborative Initiative (HCI) in Cumberland, IN, 2017
- Conflict Mediator for Project Peace, 2017
- Judge Pro Tem for Marion County Courts, 2014
Bar/Professional Activity:
- President, Hancock County Bar Association, 2017
- Member, Indianapolis Bar Association, 2003
- Member of the Hancock County Bar Association, 2008
- Member, Indiana State Bar Association, 2003
Educational Background:
- 11/12/2019 When Family Law and School Law Collide CLE., 2019
- 02/26/2020 Elder Fraud CLE, 2020
- 2/21/2019 Introduction to Interdisciplinary Family Collaborative Practice, 2-day CLE to become a trained Collaborative Law practitioner., 2019
- Juris Doctor from University of South Carolina School of Law., 2000
- English and Secondary Education Bachelor's degree from Hanover College in 1997, 1997
- 04/09/2019 Courtroom Do's and Don'ts, CLE, Attendee Ms. Lacy attended the seminar presented by the Hancock County Bar Association for tips on courtroom behavior. The Honorable Alicia Gooden presented regarding what to do and what not to do in the courtroom., 2019
- 09/11/2018 Guardian ad Litem Training and Program, CLE, Speaker Ms. Lacy helped to organize a Guardian ad Litem program for the Hancock County Bar Association. Ms. Lacy served as a panelist to discuss practice tips and answer questions., 2018
- 10/09/2018 Personal Injury Practice, CLE, Attendee Ms. Lacy attended a CLE with the Hancock County Bar Association on handling personal injury cases., 2018
- 12/07/2018 Crisis Planning vs. Pre-planning; Special Needs Planning; Long Term Care Planning Ms. Lacy attended a CLE regarding medicaid and other advance planning needs and strategies., 2018
- 02/12/2019 New Tax Code Ms. Lacy attended a CLE from the Hancock County Bar Association regarding recent changes to the United States Tax Code., 2019
- 02/21/2019 Introduction to Interdisciplinary Family Collaborative Practice Ms. Lacy attended this CLE to become a trained Collaborative Law Professional. The CLE focused on the Collaborative process and the use of a team, including mental health and possibly financial neutrals to help the parties navigate a dissolution without litigation., 2019
- 06/11/2019 2019 Enacted Laws, Ms. Lacy attended a continuing legal education seminar which highlighted new laws enacted in Indiana in 2019., 2019
- 06/11/2019 Changes to Relocation Statute, CLE, Speaker Ms. Lacy presented to the Hancock County Bar Association regarding the recent updates to the Indiana Relocation Statute. The continuing legal education seminar also addressed the proposed changes to the Indiana Child Support Guidelines for January 2020., 2019
- 09/19/2019 CME for Family Mediators, CLE, Speaker Ms. Lacy was a panelist presenting on how to address domestic violence issues in mediation. After speaking, Ms. Lacy stayed to learn from various other family law mediators and mental health providers regarding issues in family law mediations, including how to work with parties who may have a personality disorder or other mental health issue., 2019
Honors/Awards:
- Ms. Lacy was selected as a 2020 Super Lawyer., Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers, 2020
- American Institute of Legal Counsel is an impartial third-party attorney rating organization comprised of 6 divisions consisting of Criminal, DUI/DWI, Personal Injury, Bankruptcy, Elder, and Family Law. The American Institute of Legal Counsel compiles an exclusive list of the “10 Best” Attorneys for each State. This is a prestigious honor for the Attorney as each Attorney must: Be formally nominated by the Institute, client, and/or fellow Attorney; Have attained the highest degree of professional achievement in his or her field of law; and Having done so with an impeccable Client Satisfaction rating., 10 Best Attorneys for Exceptional and Outstanding Client Service, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, 2017
- Attorney and Practice Magazine Top 10 attorney award is an achievement reserved for only those attorneys who have demonstrated the highest degree of excellence in his or her area of law. Less than 1% of attorneys nationwide will receive this invitation for membership, subscription and list inclusion which is published on www.attorneyandpractice as well their quarterly magazine. The list recognizes the significant achievements of those attorneys whose practice elevates the standards of their State’s Bar as well as provided a benchmark for other practitioners., Top 10 Family Law Attorney Indiana, Attorney and Practice Magazine, 2019
- Each year, a select group of attorneys are called forward to accept one of the most prestigious awards the American Jurist Institute can bestow — selection to the AJI Top 10 Attorneys award. This exclusive honor is conferred to the top 10 attorneys in ten different practice areas for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Candidates are identified either by their in house research team, peer Nominations or client nomination. Once candidates are nominated, a AJI research team uses a lengthy and thorough vetting process to select the top candidates. The AJI Selection Council studies the results provided by the research team. The Selection Council which is composed of both attorney and non-attorney members carefully consider the information presented to them and determine which attorneys possess the knowledge, skill, experience, expertise and success in their practice area to be one the “Top 10 Attorneys” in their state.REQUIREMENTSNominated by AJI in-house team member team member, attorney or client Licensed and in good standing with their state bar Possess extraordinary amount of knowledge, skill, experience, expertise and success in their practice area significant portion of their practice is in honored area of law Other things that will be considered are: Client reviews; Peer reviews; Total length of time practicing in nominated area of law; Case outcomes; publications; formal training in nominated area of law; teaching experience; community involvement other legal awards, Top 10 Family Law Attorney for Indiana, American Jurist Institute, 2018
- The National Academy of Family Law Attorneys is an organization devoted to recognizing the top family law attorneys in the nation. Through a stringent selection process, the NAFLA awards the best family law attorneys in each state with their most prestigious honor of being named "TOP 10". The very few attorneys (less than 1%) that are good enough to make the list have demonstrated an extraordinary amount of knowledge, skill, experience, expertise and success in their practice of family law. The attorneys that make the list have to first be nominated by a licensed practicing attorney or one of our in-house research staff members. Second, the NAFLA research staff verifies that they meet the minimum requirements of membership, then the attorneys have to be one of 50 attorneys chosen to advance to the final selection stage by the NAFLA processing committee, and then the NAFLA Board of Governors officially selects the Top 10 in each state. , Nationally Ranked Top 10 Attorneys Award, National Academy of Family Law Attorneys, 2016
- American Institute of Legal Counsel is an impartial third-party attorney rating organization comprised of 6 divisions consisting of Criminal, DUI/DWI, Personal Injury, Bankruptcy, Elder, and Family Law. The American Institute of Legal Counsel compiles an exclusive list of the “10 Best” Attorneys for each State. This is a prestigious honor for the Attorney as each Attorney must: Be formally nominated by the Institute, client, and/or fellow Attorney; Have attained the highest degree of professional achievement in his or her field of law; and Having done so with an impeccable Client Satisfaction rating., 10 Best Attorneys for Exceptional and Outstanding Client Service, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, 2016
- American Institute of Legal Counsel is an impartial third-party attorney rating organization comprised of 6 divisions consisting of Criminal, DUI/DWI, Personal Injury, Bankruptcy, Elder, and Family Law. The American Institute of Legal Counsel compiles an exclusive list of the “10 Best” Attorneys for each State. This is a prestigious honor for the Attorney as each Attorney must: Be formally nominated by the Institute, client, and/or fellow Attorney; Have attained the highest degree of professional achievement in his or her field of law; and Having done so with an impeccable Client Satisfaction rating., 10 Best Attorneys for Client Satisfaction, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, 2016
- American Institute of Legal Counsel is an impartial third-party attorney rating organization comprised of 6 divisions consisting of Criminal, DUI/DWI, Personal Injury, Bankruptcy, Elder, and Family Law. The American Institute of Legal Counsel compiles an exclusive list of the “10 Best” Attorneys for each State. This is a prestigious honor for the Attorney as each Attorney must: Be formally nominated by the Institute, client, and/or fellow Attorney; Have attained the highest degree of professional achievement in his or her field of law; and Having done so with an impeccable Client Satisfaction rating., 10 Best Attorneys for Client Satisfaction, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, 2015
- American Institute of Legal Counsel is an impartial third-party attorney rating organization comprised of 6 divisions consisting of Criminal, DUI/DWI, Personal Injury, Bankruptcy, Elder, and Family Law. The American Institute of Legal Counsel compiles an exclusive list of the “10 Best” Attorneys for each State. This is a prestigious honor for the Attorney as each Attorney must: Be formally nominated by the Institute, client, and/or fellow Attorney; Have attained the highest degree of professional achievement in his or her field of law; and Having done so with an impeccable Client Satisfaction rating., 10 Best Female Attorneys, American Institue of Family Law Attorneys, 2016
- Ms. Lacy made the Super Lawyer's list of Rising Stars in 2010 and 2011. The Rising Stars list recognizes no more than 2.5 percent of attorneys in each state. To be eligible for inclusion in Rising Stars, a candidate must be either 40 years old or younger, or in practice for 10 years or less., Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2016
- American Institute of Legal Counsel is an impartial third-party attorney rating organization comprised of 6 divisions consisting of Criminal, DUI/DWI, Personal Injury, Bankruptcy, Elder, and Family Law. The American Institute of Legal Counsel compiles an exclusive list of the “10 Best” Attorneys for each State. This is a prestigious honor for the Attorney as each Attorney must: Be formally nominated by the Institute, client, and/or fellow Attorney; Have attained the highest degree of professional achievement in his or her field of law; and Having done so with an impeccable Client Satisfaction rating., 10 Best Attorneys for Exceptional and Outstanding Client Service, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, 2015
Selections
5 Years Super Lawyers
2 Years Rising Stars
- Super Lawyers: 2020 - 2024
- Rising Stars: 2010 - 2011
