Michelle Eisenmenger Mapes / Associate
Michelle Eisenmenger Mapes joined Diana L. Skaggs + Associates in 2003, following her graduation from the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville with a Juris Doctor degree. While working toward her degree, Mapes worked as Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Law & Education, as a law clerk in Indiana courtrooms and Kentucky and Indiana law firms and as a research assistant at the Brandeis School of Law.
The youngest of five children with two still happily married parents, Mapes became interested in family law after watching her siblings experience the difficulties of divorce.
“I witnessed the emotional and financial devastation that can result from divorce as well as disputes over child custody, visitation and support. In each case, I wished that my brother or sister could achieve a peaceful and speedy resolution and thought this would best be accomplished by attorneys who consider not only the financial, but also the emotional results for their clients and their children,” says Mapes, who today enjoys advocating for her clients’ interests and goals, while working to achieve legal resolutions that remain in the best interest of all parties involved.
CURRICULUM VITAEMICHELLE EISENMENGER MAPES
Diana L. Skaggs + Associates
623 West Main Street, Suite 100
Louisville, KY 40202
Phone: (502) 562-0050
Facsimile (502) 582-3523
www.LouisvilleDivorce.com and www.IndDivorce.com
J.D., Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, University of Louisville, 2003
Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Law & Education, 2002-2003
Published Article, Journal of Law & Education, 2002
Member, Journal of Law & Education, 2001-2003
B.A., University of Louisville, 1999
Eastern Kentucky University, 1989-1992
Recipient of Presidential Scholarship
University Honors Program
Kappa Delta Tau Service Sorority
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- Kentucky Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Louisville Bar Association, Family Law Section, Vice Chair, 2007
- Louisville Bar Association, Family Law Section, Chair, 2008
- Indiana Bar Association, Family & Juvenile Law Section
- Kentucky Collaborative Family Law Network, Inc.
- Kentucky Justice Association, Domestic Law Section
- Louisville Bar Association Pro Bono Consortium, Member-at-Large, 2007-2008
- Pro Se Divorce Clinics Volunteer Attorney
- Volunteer Family Law Editor, Louisville Law Wire
- Graduate, 2007 Louisville Bar Association Leadership Academy
Lectures and PUBLICATIONS
Kentucky Domestic Relations Practice, UK/CLE Practice Handbook Series, 2006
Chapter 15, Appeals
“Personal Goodwill: Is It a Divisible Marital Asset in Kentucky?” Louisville Bar Association,
Family Law Section, 2006
"Untangling the Knots of Child Custody Relocation Litigation," 8 (no.1) Bar Briefs (newspaper of the Louisville Bar Association) March, 2008
SEMINARS
2008 Adoption Law Start to FinishNational Business Institute, Louisville, KYThe Essentials of Adoption LawOffering the Different Adoption OptionsProcedures for Terminating Parental RightsSolving Obstacles to International AdoptionsFollowing Ethical Guidelines in Adoption LawPractical Guide through the Adoption ProcessWhat to Do if Something Goes Wrong
2007 Custodial Evaluations: What You and Your Clients Need to KnowLouisville Bar Association, Family Law Section
2007 Military Issues in Family LawLouisville Bar Association, Family Law Section
2007 Louisville Bar Association Leadership AcademyLeadership for LawyersLeadership through ServiceEthics, Justice and ValuesProfessionalism & Civility in the Legal ProfessionEconomics of Law-Personal and Professional
2007Tenth Annual AAML/LBA Family Law Seminar: Kicking off Our Next Decade of
Cutting Edge TopicsLouisville Bar Association, Family Law Section
Top Ten Tips for Family Law Practitioners
Protecting the Rights of the Economically Dependent Spouse
Parenting Coordinators: Devils or Angels
Father's Registries & Why Every State Needs One and Putative Fathers or Pop-Up Pops
Top Ten Ethical Risks of Domestic Relations Practitioners
Use and Abuse of Trusts and Other Financial Devices - A Perspective from Both Sides
What You Need to Know About Social Security in Presenting a Maintenance Claim
2007 Tax Issues Arising From Divorce
Louisville Bar Association, Family Law Section
2007 Sixteenth Annual Domestic Relations Update
Louisville Bar Association, Family Law Section
2007 American Bar Association, Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute, Houston, TX
Communication in the Courtroom
Tell the Judge What You Want: Motion Practice
Opening Statements and Closing Arguments
Cross-Examination
Direct and Cross Examination Demonstration
Advanced Evidence, including Impeachment, Refreshing Recollection and Foundation
Business Valuation Basics
Use of Psychological Evaluations in Custody Cases
Qualifying and Cross Examination of Mental Health Experts
Using Psychologists in Custody Cases
Using the Consulting Expert to Prepare for Trial
Direct and Cross of Psychological Experts: Qualifications and Substantive Issues
Financials: Understanding the Numbers
Ethics in Matrimonial Cases
Business Valuation Advocacy
Cross of a Financial Expert
Using the Financial Expert to Prepare for Trial
2005 Kentucky Collaborative Family Network Training
2005 American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Chicago, IL
Institute for Training New Associates—Introductory Program
Getting Started with the Client: File Management; Client Control; Dealing with Clients, Judges, Opposing Counsel
Economics of Law Practice/Ethical Issues
Accounting 101: Understanding Financial Statements and Tax Returns and Other Tax Issues
Technology in the Office and the Court
Introductory Tax Issues
Introductory Business Evaluations
Discovery: Preparing the Trial Notebook; Preparing Exhibits, Handling Evidentiary Proceedings, Argument, and Objections; Evidentiary Issues
2004 Louisville Bar Association and Young Lawyer Section:
Bridging the Gap—from the Classroom to the Office
2004 Preparation of Qualified Domestic Relation Orders (QDRO's) and Current Trends in Maintenance Awards
Louisville Bar Association, Family Law Section
2004 Annual Nuts & Bolts: Practical Applications in Family
Law, Louisville, KY
Louisville Bar Association, Family Law Section
Divorce from Start to Finish
Collection and Enforcement of Child Support
Lawyers Mutual Ethics
Restoration and Division of Marital Property
Custody
EPOs, DVOs, and Restraining Orders
2004 Domestic Law in Indiana, Indianapolis, IN
Premarital Agreements and Divorce Procedure
Ethics as it Relates to Domestic Law
Support Matters
Child Custody
Determining and Dividing Marital Assets
2004 Kentucky Bar Association, Louisville, KY
Client Assistance Program: Encouraging Effective Communication
The KBA Mentoring Program
Lawyer Assistance Program of Kentucky
Stress in the Life of a Lawyer: Personal and Professional Coping Skills
The Image of the Profession
The Attorney's Duty to the Court and Court Staff
The Attorney's Relationship with Clients
Terrorism Within
The Ethics of Preparing a Witness for Deposition
Liar, Liar: Dealing with a Dishonest Client
How to Avoid Ethical Pitfalls in Your Family Law Practice
May 2004 - present Associate Attorney, Diana L. Skaggs + Associates
May 2002 - May 2004 Lawyer, Law Clerk, Vissing & Grayson, L.L.P.
January 2003 - May 2003 Legal Extern to Hon. Cecile Blau, Clark County,
Indiana Superior Court II
August 2001 - May 2002 Brandeis School of Law, Research Assistant
to Prof. Kathleen Bean
March 2000 - August 2001Krauser & Brown, Law Clerk
