Tuesday, March 27th, 2012
On March 28, 2012 the Family Law Section of the State Bar together with the Stonewall Bar Association of Georgia is sponsoring the first ever continuing legal education program in Georgia focused exclusively on issues for same-sex couples.
Lawyers from across Georgia, including our very own Ruth Claiborne, will gather to learn about and discuss legal issues for same sex couples. Speakers will discuss topics including: Same-sex Issue Spotting; First Steps to Take When Retained; Interaction between Federal and State Law for Same-sex Marriage; Title 19, when it is and is not available in Same-sex Matters (and Where Else to Look); and, Domestic Partnerships. Ruth Claiborne will be speaking on parentage and same sex couples.
The program brochure can be accessed at http://www.iclega.org/programs/7951.html
Posted in ART, community, conference, events, Featured, gay parenting, LGBTQ, professional organizations, Ruth Claiborne, seminar | No Comments »
Tuesday, June 28th, 2011
Claiborne & Surmay, P.C. took leading roles in the 22nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys (AAAA) and the 2nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys (AAARTA). The meetings were held May 4-7, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency, Savannah, following a full year of planning by conference co-chairs Ruth Claiborne, a principal in Claiborne & Surmay, P.C. (Atlanta & Savannah) and Jim Thompson of the Thompson Law Firm,LLC in South Carolina. Claiborne & Surmay senior paralegal Toni Treadway co-chaired the paralegal portion of the conference, with attorney Shannon Matteson serving as liaison and advisor to the paralegals. This was Toni’s second time as a paralegal leader together with Wendy Gebhauer of Wisconsin, and once again she did a fantastic job. Our Savannah office, located on Bay Street just 2 blocks east of the Hyatt, provided valuable logistical support and paralegal Kim Griffin also set up several tours for participants and guests. Attorney Lori Surmay also participated actively in all aspects of the conference, so our firm was very well represented.
By all accounts this was one of the Academy’s most successful annual conferences ever, drawing approximately 250 attorneys, 32 paralegals, 15 sponsor/vendors, and numerous seminar speakers, spouses, and guests. Despite beautiful weather and the attractions of historic Savannah just steps from the hotel, 15 hours of cutting edge continuing legal education seminars were very well attended, held in a room with a long glass wall overlooking the river! Topics included Surrogacy Contract Drafting, ARTs Dilemmas; Health Insurance for Gestational Carriers; Ethics; Legislative Advocacy; Joint Adoption, ARTS & Immigration; Jurisdiction and Multistate Adoptions; Contested Adoptions; Impact of Maternal High Risk Behaviors on Child Development; Social Media; Telecommuting and Multijurisdictional Practice; and more. Paralegals were involved in a number of the CLE Sessions but also had their own breakout sessions focusing on ethics, technology and practical paralegal pointers.
The AAAA and AAARTA conference was an invaluable opportunity for all who attended to share ideas, to network with the best attorneys in our field from all over the US and Canada; to learn from each other and form lasting professional alliances. Often adoption and ARTs cross state lines with parties residing in different states, so it is crucial to have trusted colleagues throughout the country. The conference provided a balance of education, business meetings, and social activities.
On the recreational and social fronts, we built events around Savannah’s history and charm: a waterfront headquarters hotel, the opening reception at The Olde Pink House with delicious food in a converted historic home, and our main evening dinner and entertainment event on beautiful Johnson Square, complete with Savannah musicians followed by AAAA’s Rogue Band (famous in Academy circles!), delicious food, and the beauty of the historic square with its live oaks and monuments surrounded by landmark buildings. Attendees in their free time enjoyed walking tours, a riverboat cruise, an array of great restaurants, kayaking, golf, and even “The Book” Club at Clary’s café.
The conference ended on the Saturday before Mother’s Day. Perhaps not coincidentally, Mother’s Day weekend was the time at least two adoption triads met for the first time, following successful searches and reunions. A daughter from Oregon found her birth mother who lived in Savannah, met for the first time, and contacted Savannah media about the joys of reuniting. Attorney Ruth Claiborne was interviewed by the local Fox news channel about adoption reunions, the role of state-sponsored reunion registries, the new phenomenon of social media, and the Academy’s support of open adoption. Meanwhile, paralegal Toni Treadway and her husband went out to dinner and had a very personal encounter with an adoption reunion between a birth mom, biological father, and adult adoptee, happening at a nearby table in the restaurant. Toni was able to connect with them in a special way and to give meaningful and lasting gifts of understanding and a necklace with special symbolic meaning. For more on Toni’s story, click here.
AAAA voted in 2009 to form AAARTA as an affiliated academy, in recognition of the growing role of assisted reproductive technologies in family formation. Both Academies have rigorous selection processes for fellows, high ethical standards, and focus on the best interests of children as well as the adults who want to be parents. Both Academies seek out the best in our niche practices of adoption and assisted reproduction. We are grateful for having been given leadership roles and energized by having experienced the latest/greatest continuing education while having fun and enhancing professional relationships.
Posted in AAAA, AAARTA, activity, adoption, ART, conference, Featured, gestational surrogacy, Kim Griffin, Lori Surmay, professional organizations, Ruth Claiborne, Savannah office, seminar, Toni Treadway, Will Claiborne | No Comments »
Monday, August 16th, 2010
Attorney Lori Surmay in San Diego, California during the NCJFCJ Annual Conference.
On July 20, 2010, attorney Lori Surmay spoke to The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges during that group’s annual conference in San Diego. NCJFCJ selected Lori and her co-presenter, attorney Ellen Yarrell, from Houston, Texas, from a long list of interested speakers. Both Lori and Ellen are Fellows in the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys and Ellen is a past Academy President. They spoke to a group of approximately 50 attendees from all over the country including Ellen’s and Lori’s own stomping grounds – a judge from Houston and a Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court. Ellen and Lori debunked many myths about the impact on children of being raised by same-gender couples, and informed the audience of the many studies and well-known medical, psychological and legal organizations which support same gender parenting. The presentation and discussion also included timely topics such as the movie, “The Kids Are Alright” – about lesbian parenting and a sperm donor, to France’s recent recognition of a second parent adoption. Ellen and Lori answered many questions for attendees and were very well received.
Of note: the incoming NCHFCJ President is Judge Michael Key from LaGrange, Georgia. Click here to read an article and see more photos from the conference on the NCJFCJ website.
Posted in co-parent adoption, conference, Lori Surmay, San Diego, seminar | No Comments »
Friday, June 4th, 2010
On May 1, 2010, partner Ruth Claiborne, associate attorney Amy Wallas and senior paralegal Toni Treadway participated in RESOLVE’s 1st Annual Family Building Conference, held in Atlanta at the Cobb Galleria Centre.
Ruth spoke to attendees about surrogacy. Her presentation included information about screening and finding gestational carriers, the importance of having a surrogacy consultation with an experienced attorney, the Gestational Agreement, the pitfalls of traditional surrogacy and court orders and hospital protocols.
Amy spoke about grassroots adoption, including finding a birth mother through networking, how to create a great profile and the pitfalls of relying on the Internet and virtual agencies.
Toni staffed the Claiborne & Surmay table, fielding questions from attendees about the firm’s family building services. The event was a huge success and several lucky winners went home with valuable prizes such as IVF treatments.
Posted in Amy Wallas, conference, infertility, RESOLVE, Ruth Claiborne, seminar, Toni Treadway | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010
Ruth Claiborne was a featured speaker at the ABA Family Law Section 2010 Spring CLE conference in New Orleans. Her talk focused on surrogacy and she participated in a debate about assisted reproductive technologies.
Posted in ART, conference, New Orleans, Ruth Claiborne, seminar | No Comments »
