Smith, Thomas G.

Michele L. Jackson is a founding member of HARDEN JACKSON, LLC where she restricts her law practice to Adoption, Reproductive Law and International Family Law matters, serving as chair of the firm’s Adoption and Reproductive Law Practice Group.  Ms. Jackson is regarded as one of the foremost legal authorities in Indianapolis in international adoptions and international family law issues.  She represents clients interested in domestic or international adoption or those who are seeking alternative reproductive options for building their families (including donor agreements and surrogacy).  Ms. Jackson has dedicated herself to the adoption of orphans worldwide, while assisting couples and individuals to realize their dreams of becoming parents.  She is also the founder and director of MLJ Adoptions, a licensed child placing agency in Indiana, which is also Hague-approved. 

Ms. Jackson earned her Juris Doctor from the Indiana University School of Law in 2000.  During law school, Ms. Jackson earned the distinctions of President of the International Law Society, International Human Rights Law Program and Student Body Government Representative. She completed her undergraduate degree with honors from Anderson University in 1997, where she majored in Political Science and History.

In addition to her legal practice, Ms. Jackson has served as an Adjunct Law Professor at the IU School of Law, Indianapolis beginning in January 2005, where she has taught classes on International Comparative Family Law and International Organizations Law.  She has also directed seminars and conferences as well as Continuing Legal Education classes for International Law Section of the Indianapolis Bar Association.  She has also presented to the Indianapolis Bar Association’s Family Law Section, Indiana Continuing Legal Education Foundation and Indiana State Bar Association She also provides monthly adoption seminars to families interested in pursuing domestic or international adoption at the International Adoption Agency she founded MLJ Adoptions, Inc.  A frequent speaker, Ms. Jackson has addressed audiences in Indiana, Colorado, Florida, Ohio and Illinois.  Her articles on subjects such as child labor, sexual exploitation, and the plight of orphans, have been features in the Human Rights Tribune, Human Rights Internet News and Kids’ Voice publications.

As a consultant, Ms. Jackson also offers her services to advise organizations and agencies including foreign consulates and has consulted for other adoption agencies and programs. 

Despite her busy professional schedule, Ms. Jackson is an active community advocate volunteering her knowledge and time for organizations such as Kids’ Voice of Indiana and Legal Services of Indiana.  She is also the founder of The Fatherless Foundation, a not-for-profit organization which assists orphans and orphanages world-wide.  She personally travels to countries such as Nicaragua, Ukraine, Congo and Haiti 4-5 times each year to distribute clothing, school and medical supplies and funds raised to support the orphanages.  The Foundation also provides grants to couples who wish to adopt internationally but lack the financial resources and means.  Ms. Jackson currently serves as managing director.