Finding a Georgia adoption attorney can seem like a daunting task. If you are just beginning your adoption information search, it can all feel very intimidating and overwhelming. You turn to Google and wade through all of those links that might pop up. You sit there and sift through websites trying to find the ones that are legitimate. I’m hoping I have helped by taking a little bit of the guesswork out of it for you.
Maybe you are an expectant parent and you are beginning to explore all of your options. Maybe you have been struggling with infertility and are looking at all the options that are available out there. Perhaps you are a family member caring for a child and you need to know what your options are. You could be a foster parent and have no idea what rights you may have.
Whatever your “why” might be, one thing is for sure, you will want options in finding a Georgia adoption attorney for you and your family.
Birth Parents
Discovering you are pregnant can be a shock to anyone’s system. If you ask anyone who has taken that test, they can tell you. You might have just found out you are pregnant or maybe you have known for a while and you know this is what you want to do. First thing, you need resources—places where you can turn to find the information you need. Adoption.com is a perfect place to help get you started. You can find numerous forums where you can discuss a variety of different topics with others. There are plenty of articles with helpful information and ways to search for hopeful adoptive parents. You will also find a link to help you search for suitable adoption attorneys and agencies by state. To find a Georgia adoption attorney, I used the AdoptionDirectory.com. Below, you will find a list of 16 Georgia adoption attorneys. These attorneys have a variety of specialties and practice in different areas. You will find contact information, addresses, and a little information I have pulled from their websites.
Adoptive Parents
If you are anything like me, you just had this little idea in your head, one that kept growing and growing and you weren’t sure where to start. You know you aren’t ready to make the leap, but you still want to figure out a place to start your search. Maybe you have thought about it day and night and you know exactly what you want to do. You keep a mental checklist of your potential adoption journey and this is just one more of those items on that list.
Having a good Georgia adoption attorney on your side to help walk you through the process is a must. You will have so many questions and you will want answers to each and every one of those questions, so make sure you find a Georgia adoption attorney that you feel comfortable communicating with. Communication is key in a successful attorney/client partnership. You will find a list of attorneys below with contact information, websites, and a little bit of information about each one of them.
Here is a list of 16 Georgia Adoption Attorneys:
1. Lynn H. Goldman
Lynn Goldman began her career in the Department of Family and Children’s Services as a social worker. According to the practice website, she was the case manager on the first same-sex adoption case in Clayton County. She later went on to get her law degree and has adoption, surrogacy, LGBT family building, guardian ad litem, mediation, DFCS custody, and egg, sperm, and embryo donation as her areas of practice. She has used her skills in mediation to receive grants and work in the juvenile court system and is known as a top mediator in her field.
Lynn H. Goldman
(404) 442-6969
60 Lenox Pointe NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
2. Birney O’Brian Bull
Georgia adoption attorney, Birney O’Bryan Bull is quoted on his website as saying, “The Adoption Law Office is a law practice and a vocational calling. It is a Christian, pro-life ministry and witness to the value of adoption as a calling from God to love our neighbors as ourselves, particularly our neighbors who are children in need of parenting or women facing unintended pregnancies.” His website is very impressive and has many links with information and resources for both hopeful adoptive parents and potential birth parents.
Birney O’Brian Bull
(912) ADOPT-NEED
420 West Broughton Street
Savannah, GA 31401
3. Jessica L. Goron
Jessica Gordon, Georgia adoption attorney, focuses on adoption law, assisted reproductive technology law, and child-related immigration matters. Her bio states that “she has a history in child advocacy and abuse prevention.” She wants to bring joy to people through helping them build their family. Gordon is the President of the Georgia Council of Adoption Lawyers.
Jessica L. Gordon
(678) 304-8525
2265 Roswell Road
Suite 100
Marietta, GA 30062
4. Irene Steffas
Irene Steffas specializes in adoption, immigration, and assisted reproduction technologies. In her bio on the firm’s website you will find, “The open adoption process, communications with birth parents and reunion meetings are not abstract concepts to Irene but are real life lessons that Irene and her family have joyously experienced.” She has an interesting history and experience working with birth mothers. She also has lots of experience in intercountry adoptions. Steffas is also a member of the Georgia Council of Adoption Lawyers.
Irene Steffas
(770) 642-6075
4343 Shallowford Road, H-1
Marietta, GA 30062
5. Sherry Neal
Georgia adoption attorney, Sherry Neal, specializes in helping adoptive parents as well as the occasional birth parent, according to her firm’s website. She was also the founder of the Georgia Council of Adoption Lawyers, Inc. She is an advocate for children and families and has an emphasis on those with special needs. You will find plenty of useful resources on her firm’s website.
Sherry Neal
(404) 257-6494
125 E. Trinity Place
Suite 300
Decatur, GA 30030
6. Lori M. Surmay
Attorney, Lori Surmay, has a passion for adoptive families and Assisted Reproductive Technologies. When reading her bio, you will find in the work she has done as well as the events she has spoken at that she really wants to take the time to help each family navigate through the adoption process. She has a passion for her clients and wants to help them make it through a time that can be filled with anxiety and uncertainty with open communication. She is well versed in adoption laws and is often called on to speak on the subject.
Lori M. Surmay
(678) 883-8893
7. Jerrold W. Hester
Jerrold Hester, a Georgia adoption attorney, has been practicing for over 40 years. According to his website, he was also a founding member of the Georgia Council of Adoption Lawyers. His areas of practice are adoption, domestic relations, and family law just to name a few. In 2002, he received the Angels in Adoption Award.
Jerrold W. Hester
770-446-3645
507 Ocean Blvd. Suite 304
St. Simons Island, GA 31522
8. Ruth F. Claiborne
Ruth Claiborne practices in gestational surrogacy; egg, sperm, and embryo donation; as well as LGBT family building, and adoption. She can be considered a pioneer in a few areas. She helped complete the “first co-parent adoption between same-sex couples” in Georgia and the first egg donation and gestational surrogacy cases in the state. She’s done mediation and has also worked in the juvenile court system. She has received numerous awards and recognition in her field, including the Angels in Adoption Award.
Ruth F. Claiborne
(404) 442-6969
60 Lenox Pointe NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
9. Judy Sartain
According to the Stearns-Montgomery & Proctor website, Georgia adoption attorney, Judy Sartain “has a passion for adoption cases, including foreign, contested, same-sex couple, agency, relative and step-parent, third party independent, DFCS, and interstate.” She helped to develop the new Georgia adoption code in 2018. She has also been through the adoption process and can sympathize with adoptive parents while helping them be proactive. She is a member of the Georgia Council of Adoption Lawyers.
Judy Sartain
(770) 308-5376
11175 Cicero Dr.
Building 200, Suite #110
Alpharetta, GA 30022
10. Debra Finch
Debra Finch serves numerous areas in Georgia. She has also been through the adoption process and knows what it’s like being the adoptive parent. Her site states that she is an “experienced trial attorney, who represents prospective adoptive parents in both uncontested and contested matters.” She has also worked with same-sex couples to help them build their families. She is a member of the Georgia Council of Adoption Lawyers.
Debra Finch
(706) 353-1533
585 Research Drive, Suite A
Athens, GA 30605
11. Sherriann Hicks
Sherriann Hicks, also a member of the Georgia Council of Adoption Lawyers, practices in numerous areas including adoption, surrogacy, guardianship, grandparent visitation, general adoption matters, birthmother representation, interstate adoptions, contested adoption, and legitimation cases. The website says she “views adoption as a gift for all parties involved: giving children an opportunity to grow in a healthy environment, adoptive parents a chance to raise children and birth mothers peace of mind.”
Sherriann Hicks
(678) 894-9097
368 South Perry Street
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
12. Barbara Katz
Barbara Katz specializes in adoption and assisted reproductive technology laws. Her practice’s site says, “she is especially dedicated to helping alternative families, such as same sex couples and single parents, with legal issues in their personal lives.” Katz is a member of the Georgia Council of Adoption Lawyers.
Barbara Katz
(404) 298-5050
3136 Clairmont Road N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30329
13. Rhonda Fishbein
Rhonda Fishbein, also an adoptive parent, is a Georgia adoption attorney out of Atlanta. Her website has plenty of information on different topics: domestic independent adoptions, domestic agency adoptions, interstate adoptions, international adoptions, relative adoptions, stepparent adoptions, single parent adoptions, birth mother representation, open adoption, using adoption agencies, opening adoption records, home studies, foster care adoptions, and adult adoptions. She is a member of the Georgia Council of Adoption Attorneys.
Rhonda Fishbein
(770) 437-8582
1151 Hammond Drive NE
Suite 240
Atlanta, GA 30346
https://www.rfishbeinadoption-law.com
14. Josie Redwine
Josie Redwine, a member of the Georgia Council of Adoption Lawyers, also an adoptive parent, knows what it’s like to go through each step of the adoption process. She treats each case as if it will be contested, so she’s prepared for all of those “what ifs.” With over 4,000 adoption proceedings under her belt, she would be highly qualified to help you complete the process.
Josie Redwine
(678) 813-1676
2440 Sandy Plains Road, Building #7
Marietta, GA 30066
https://www.mariettagalawfirm.com
15. Lila Newberry Bradley
Lila Newberry Bradley practices in surrogacy; egg, sperm, and embryo donation; LGBT family building, adoption, guardian ad litem, DFCS custody matters, grandparent visitation, and estate planning. She has worked with a lot of children in foster care. She is also the author of “Family Preservation in Georgia: A Legal Guide to Preventing Unnecessary Removal to State Custody.”
Lila Newberry Bradley
(404) 442-6969
60 Lenox Pointe NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
16. William E. Turnipseed
William Turnipseed has many different practice areas including domestic and interstate adoption.
William E. Turnipseed
(404) 521-1282
233 Peachtree Street
2700 Harris Tower
Atlanta, GA 30303
https://www.savellwilliams.com
And remember, since communicating with attorneys can be somewhat intimidating for the average person, make sure to write down all of those questions and concerns that pop up in your head during those random moments. There are no questions too big or too small. You need to get them out so you have peace of mind. Hopefully, you will find your perfect fit in this list to help you carry out your plan, whether it be placement or adoption. The adoption process is complicated enough as it is. Don’t walk the path alone. Find a trusted professional who can guide you through the process and help you feel peace of mind knowing every box has been checked. You are not alone, so embark on the journey with a trusted guide.
Are you considering placing a child for adoption? Do you want more choices with your adoption plan? Do you want to regain more control in your life? Visit Adoption.org or call 1-800-ADOPT-98. We can help you put together an adoption plan that best meets your needs.
Are you ready to pursue adoption? Visit Adoption.org or call 1-800-ADOPT-98 to connect with compassionate, nonjudgmental adoption specialists who can help you get started on the journey of a lifetime.
