Leading the Way in Family Formation: Janna Annest Named President of the AAAA

At Foster + Bloom, we are devoted to “beginnings”—the moments when families are formed and lives are forever changed. To ensure those beginnings are protected, our team remains at the very forefront of the legal landscape.

That’s why we are incredibly proud to announce that our very own Janna Annest has officially begun her term as the President of the Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys (AAAA).

A National Milestone: The AAAA Annual Conference in Santa Fe

Earlier this month, the Foster + Bloom team traveled to Santa Fe for the AAAA annual conference. It was a weekend filled with rigorous Continuing Legal Education (CLE) sessions and collaborative discussions with the nation’s top legal minds.

The weekend concluded with a significant milestone for our firm: Janna being sworn in as the President of the Academy.

Why the AAAA Matters to Every Family We Serve

For those unfamiliar with the organization, the AAAA is the primary professional association for attorneys, judges, and law professors who specialize in adoption and Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) law.

Comprising approximately 500 Fellows, the Academy is a primary driver in setting the ethical and legal bar for how modern families are built across the country.

Becoming a Fellow is a rigorous process, and leading the organization is an immense responsibility. The Academy’s mission is to advocate for laws that protect everyone involved in the process—adoptive parents, birth parents, surrogates, and donors alike.

The Path to Leadership

Janna’s journey to the presidency has been one of dedicated service. She has been an AAAA Fellow since 2015 and has served in various leadership roles over the past decade. After serving as President-Elect this past year, she has now stepped into the role of President.

Reflecting on the appointment, Janna shared her deep sense of responsibility to the Academy and the families its members serve.

“AAAA has earned a tremendous reputation for ethical, expert legal work, and above all else, I want to be a good steward of that reputation,” Janna said. “Fortunately, I have had the chance to watch and learn from many outstanding past presidents, who set a high bar but are also incredibly generous with their time and advice.”

She added, “So many Fellows went out of their way to share kind and supportive words with me in Santa Fe. Their confidence meant the world to me and left me feeling ready to rise to the occasion.”

Shaping the Future of Family Law

As President, Janna effectively serves as the CEO of the AAAA, directing the organization’s activities and acting as its public face. Her responsibilities include:

• Presiding over monthly Board meetings and setting the organization’s agenda.
• Supervising the mid-year and annual conferences.
• Directing national advocacy efforts for family formation laws.

One of Janna’s personal priorities for her term is to make the organization’s leadership more accessible. To achieve this, she will be holding monthly virtual office hours, providing a direct line of communication for any Fellow who wishes to connect.

Leading the Way for Beginning Your Family

At Foster + Bloom, we don’t just practice law; we advocate for the future of your family. Janna’s move into this national leadership role is a significant development for our clients.

By leading the AAAA, Janna is helping shape the legal standards that affect family formation nationwide. This ensures that Foster + Bloom remains at the very center of the legal conversations surrounding adoption and ART, allowing us to provide our clients with unmatched expertise, foresight, and protection as they begin their own unique journeys.