Academy Of CA Adoption Lawyers

The Academy of California Adoption-ART Lawyers (ACAL) is an invitational society of family formation law attorneys whose membership is limited to those licensed California attorneys with extensive legal expertise in adoption and assisted reproduction, whose practices meet the highest standards of ethics and professional competence. As a California non-profit mutual benefit corporation, our members are separate and individual law practitioners.

At ACAL, we are committed to providing knowledgeable and competent legal services to clients in family formation matters, pursuant to California law. Our attorneys are dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of families and individuals seeking to build their families through adoption, assisted reproduction, guardianship, and foster care proceedings.

Qualifications for ACAL Membership

To become a member of ACAL, attorneys must meet certain qualifications, including:

• Admitted to practice law in California
• Sponsored by an existing member
• Completed a minimum number of successful family formation cases (adoption or ART), or have other special experience or expertise sufficient to prove the high standard of knowledge and experience required for membership

ACAL Attorneys

Our attorneys specialize in the following areas:

• Adoption: Independent, agency, international, stepparent, interstate, adult, relative, co-parent, and/or foster-adoption finalizations
• Assisted Reproduction: Representation in any or all aspects of ART cases, including contract negotiation and drafting, review of third-party reproduction technology contracts, trust account administration, and guidance in locating appropriate surrogates, intended parents, or egg, sperm, or embryo donors
• Family Formation Alternatives: Representation of foster parents in juvenile court dependency matters, representation in guardianship proceedings, representation in Special Immigrant Juvenile Status proceedings, and representation in embryo donation/embryo adoption matters

Services

Our attorneys provide a range of services, including:

• Legal representation in adoption matters
• Screening for legal risks in adoption situations
• Trust account administration and oversight
• Preparation and filing of court documents for finalization of adoption or readoption
• Representation in adoption litigation
• Preparation and submission of legally required paperwork for permission to travel pursuant to the Interstate Compact for Placement of Children (ICPC) statutes, both federal and state
• Thorough explanations of the various adoption processes and options
• Referrals to legally authorized adoption professionals and resources

Staff

Our current officers and directors include:

• President: Deborah Wald
• President-Elect: Cynthia Fruchtman
• Secretary: Greg Masler
• Treasurer: Bonnie Hiler
• Membership Chair: Shelley Tarnoff
• Technology Co-Chairs: Michelle Evans and Alison Foster Davis
• MCLE Co-Chairs: Katyadela Calderon (Adoption) and Rich Vaughn (ART)
• Legislation Chair: Lori Meyers