How to Select Your Adoption or Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Attorney
Written by: Barbara Thornell Ginn (FL & OH)
Family formation is a deeply personal experience. It is important to know that your legal representative has the knowledge and skill necessary to guide you through the process.
The Member attorneys at Foster + Bloom Family Formation Law Group have a combined 185+ years of experience, and all are Fellows of the esteemed Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys (AAAA).
Choosing an attorney who is a Fellow of AAAA ensures you are working with a professional who has been rigorously vetted and has demonstrated a high level of excellence and ethical practice in this specific field.
Start Early and Prioritize Specialized Experience
Selecting your attorney early on in the process can help your unique process flow smoothly thereafter. When you establish a relationship with a legal team before a match is made or medical procedures begin, you protect yourself from procedural missteps that can cause costly delays or emotional distress later on.
As you interview potential attorneys, we encourage inquiring into their experience (i.e., what percentage of their practice is dedicated to adoption or ART law, how many similar cases have they handled over the past 3-5 years, do they hold memberships with any state or multi-jurisdictional adoption or ART organizations, etc.).
When diving deeper into these qualifications, consider asking the following questions to expand your understanding of their practice:
- What specific subsets of adoption or ART do they handle? (e.g., gestational surrogacy, donor agreements, agency adoptions, independent adoptions, or stepparent adoptions).
- How do they stay updated on changing legislation? Laws surrounding family formation evolve rapidly; active membership in multi-jurisdictional networks indicates an attorney who is at the forefront of legal trends and shifting state statutes.
- How do they handle interstate cases? If your adoption or surrogacy journey crosses state lines, your attorney must be well-versed in the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) or conflicting state surrogacy laws.
Researching Reputation and Seeking Recommendations
Beyond credentials on paper, the real-world experiences of other families can give you invaluable insight into an attorney’s courtroom presence, negotiation style, and bedside manner.
We encourage taking the time to see what prior clients and others have to say about the attorneys you are considering. You can easily locate reviews online (i.e., Google, Avvo, Facebook, Yelp, etc.). Also, matching programs/agencies can be a great resource for input, as well as friends/family members in your geographic area.
When evaluating this feedback, look for consistent patterns:
- On Specialized Legal Platforms: Check Avvo for peer endorsements and detailed client ratings that evaluate the attorney’s technical legal skill.
- Through Professional Networks: Adoption agencies, surrogacy matching programs, and fertility clinics work with legal professionals daily. They know which attorneys are proactive, highly ethical, and collaborative.
- From Trusted Circles: Speaking with friends or family members who have traveled a similar path can provide an honest, unfiltered look at what it is truly like to work with a specific firm.
Assessing Communication, Accessibility, and Trust
The technical capability of your lawyer is only one side of the coin; the human element is just as vital.
Communication is very important in this area of law. You will likely be speaking with your attorney and support staff regularly throughout the process. Are they easy to reach via phone and/or email? Are they willing to answer your questions in a way that makes sense and leaves you feeling supported? Trust is very important in this process.
To evaluate whether a firm meets your communication needs, observe your initial interactions:
- Responsiveness: Do they return your initial consultation call or email promptly? In adoption and ART law, timing can be incredibly sensitive—such as when a baby is born unexpectedly or a medical cycle changes.
- The Support Team: A great attorney is backed by an equally compassionate and efficient support staff. Your interactions with paralegals and legal assistants should leave you feeling just as informed and valued.
- Clarity Over Jargon: Your legal team should be able to break down complex statutory frameworks into clear, actionable steps, empowering you to make decisions with absolute confidence.
Building Your Future on a Foundation of Confidence
By prioritizing specialized experience, verifying reputations through trusted communities, and choosing a team that values open, empathetic communication, you can transition from feeling overwhelmed to feeling profoundly supported.
At Foster + Bloom Family Formation Law Group, we understand the immense trust you place in your legal counsel. We are dedicated to providing the sophisticated legal strategy and compassionate care your family deserves.
If you are ready to take the next step in your adoption or ART journey, reach out to us today to schedule a consultation.
Why I Practice in Family Law: "Changing the trajectory of even one child's life is an indescribable feeling."Meet the Author
Barbara Ginn,
Founding Member