Dear Adopting Parents

About Your Decision

You are thinking of adopting a baby, and you are doing your research to find the person best suited to help you in realizing that desire. So I begin by telling you who I am in hopes you will allow me the privilege of accompanying you on your journey.

I have practiced in the field of adoptions for 24 years. I have represented over 2000 couples in creating families through adoption. I turned to this field because of a personal desire to adopt, and, indeed, our daughter was adopted in 1981. I’ve never forgotten the thrill or anxiety I felt during that process.

I believe my abilities and success have derived as much from life as from law. I taught high school for many years before and during my law school days. I’m proud to be the mother of Nathan, 33 (not the actor Nathan Lane), Jeremy, 29, Loyola Law alum and practicing attorney, and Jordana, 23. My husband of 34 years, Joe, is a career advisor at a high school where his concern and expertise extends to every aspect of the school’s curriculum. We share the same work ethic and believe in the adage, “work hard, play hard” and enjoy our personal time traveling or entertaining.

I have been fortunate to sustain a career in a field I love for so many years, but I never lose sight of the fact, that, for our clients, this is oft-times, their first experience with adoption. I chaired the legislative committee of the California State Bar which dissolved to become the Academy of California Adoption Lawyers. I represented ACAL in lobbying Sacramento for secure and friendly adoption laws. In 1989, I invited colleagues from around the country to a conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. Thus was born the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. I am proud to be the founder and first president of AAAA which now includes a membership of over 300 excellent adoption practitioners. My interstate adoption practice is greatly enhanced working with colleagues I respect and trust throughout the United States.

I have always contributed time to adoption causes and awareness. I held annual holiday parties for many years to collect hundreds of presents for the foster children of L.A. County. I have been a guest speaker on adoption-related subjects at many conferences including ACAL, AAAA, the ABA and RESOLVE. I have been interviewed for magazine and newspaper articles and appeared on TV on subjects varying from celebrity adoptions to grandparents’ rights to ethical lawyering.

So, as you can see, adoption is more than a day job; it is my avocation, my life’s work. There has been nothing more gratifying than to encounter clients and hear wonderful stories about their children - many out of college already - or to hear from birth parents how they look back on their decision with comfort and dignity, and how they were able to proceed on the path to careers, education, and families. While their letters of appreciation fill scrapbooks, photos of the thriving children they placed in loving homes fill frames and bulletin boards.

In August, 2003, I was selected by the Honorable Henry Waxman, California member of the House of Representatives, to become an Angel in Adoption. I was honored to receive this award for “personal dedication to adoption and child welfare”. I attended a gala dinner on September 30 in Washington D.C. and was humbled to be in the company of members of the U.S. Congress, members of the judiciary, and child advocates including special guests Bruce Willis and Muhammad Ali honored for their work in raising the national awareness about children in need of permanent, loving homes.

I invite you to call me to discuss how I can help you on your path to parenting. Your call will be confidential and most personal. If nothing else, I can help you explore the options you may have and refer you to other resources that may be appropriate for you. We are a family, you and I, bonded by our belief that adoption answers the needs of everyone in the adoption triad in equal measure.

The Law Offices of
Karen R. Lane
A Professional Corporation

DEAR ADOPTING PARENTS

About Your Decision
Legal Services: California Clients
Legal Services: Out of State Clients
Frequently Asked Questions

About Your Decision

You are thinking of adopting a baby, and you are doing your research to find the person best suited to help you in realizing that desire. So I begin by telling you who I am in hopes you will allow me the privilege of accompanying you on your journey.

I have practiced in the field of adoptions for 24 years. I have represented over 2000 couples in creating families through adoption. I turned to this field because of a personal desire to adopt, and, indeed, our daughter was adopted in 1981. I’ve never forgotten the thrill or anxiety I felt during that process.

I believe my abilities and success have derived as much from life as from law. I taught high school for many years before and during my law school days. I’m proud to be the mother of Nathan, 33 (not the actor Nathan Lane), Jeremy, 29, Loyola Law alum and practicing attorney, and Jordana, 23. My husband of 34 years, Joe, is a career advisor at a high school where his concern and expertise extends to every aspect of the school’s curriculum. We share the same work ethic and believe in the adage, “work hard, play hard” and enjoy our personal time traveling or entertaining.

I have been fortunate to sustain a career in a field I love for so many years, but I never lose sight of the fact, that, for our clients, this is oft-times, their first experience with adoption. I chaired the legislative committee of the California State Bar which dissolved to become the Academy of California Adoption Lawyers. I represented ACAL in lobbying Sacramento for secure and friendly adoption laws. In 1989, I invited colleagues from around the country to a conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. Thus was born the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. I am proud to be the founder and first president of AAAA which now includes a membership of over 300 excellent adoption practitioners. My interstate adoption practice is greatly enhanced working with colleagues I respect and trust throughout the United States.

I have always contributed time to adoption causes and awareness. I held annual holiday parties for many years to collect hundreds of presents for the foster children of L.A. County. I have been a guest speaker on adoption-related subjects at many conferences including ACAL, AAAA, the ABA and RESOLVE. I have been interviewed for magazine and newspaper articles and appeared on TV on subjects varying from celebrity adoptions to grandparents’ rights to ethical lawyering.

So, as you can see, adoption is more than a day job; it is my avocation, my life’s work. There has been nothing more gratifying than to encounter clients and hear wonderful stories about their children - many out of college already - or to hear from birth parents how they look back on their decision with comfort and dignity, and how they were able to proceed on the path to careers, education, and families. While their letters of appreciation fill scrapbooks, photos of the thriving children they placed in loving homes fill frames and bulletin boards.

In August, 2003, I was selected by the Honorable Henry Waxman, California member of the House of Representatives, to become an Angel in Adoption. I was honored to receive this award for “personal dedication to adoption and child welfare”. I attended a gala dinner on September 30 in Washington D.C. and was humbled to be in the company of members of the U.S. Congress, members of the judiciary, and child advocates including special guests Bruce Willis and Muhammad Ali honored for their work in raising the national awareness about children in need of permanent, loving homes.

I invite you to call me to discuss how I can help you on your path to parenting. Your call will be confidential and most personal. If nothing else, I can help you explore the options you may have and refer you to other resources that may be appropriate for you. We are a family, you and I, bonded by our belief that adoption answers the needs of everyone in the adoption triad in equal measure.

Warm regards,

100 Wilshire Boulevard
Suite 2075
Santa Monica, Ca. 90401

Telephone: 310.393.9802
Facsimile: 310.393.5071
klane@adoptionattorneys.org

The Law Offices of Karen R. Lane
Specializing in:
Independent Adoptions; Agency Adoptions; Interstate Adoptions; Adult Adoptions;
Step-Parent Adoptions; Guardianships; Mediation

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