Memberships, Honors, Awards

    • Best Lawyers, 2016 Best Lawyer in America list.
    • Vice President, American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, 2015-2016.
    • Past Chair and Board of Trustees for the Center for Adoption Support and Education, 2011-2015.
    • Governor Appointee to the Montgomery County Judicial Nominating Commission, 2013-2015.
    • Maryland and District of Columbia Super Lawyer as published by Law & Politics and Baltimore Magazine, 2012-2016. Chosen for her work in adoption, family law and collaborative law. 
    • Fellow of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. 
    • Fellow of the American Academy of Assisted Reproduction Technology Attorneys.  
    • Professional member of RESOLVE. 
    • 2008 Who's Who Madison as a member of the business community who has demonstrated exemplary achievement and distinguished contributions to her profession.
    • Member of the Reproductive and Genetics Technology Committee of the American Bar Association.
    • Member of the Adoption Committee of the American Bar Association.
    • Professional member of Families for Private Adoption. FPA offers support and education for families interested in private adoptions.
    • Member of Collaborative Dispute Resolution Professionals (CDRP) 
    • Member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP).
    • Family Law Sections of the Bar Association of Montgomery County and the District of Columbia Bar Association, Frederick County Bar Association, Women’s Bar Association, Maryland State Bar Association, Federal Bar Association and the American Bar Association.

    What should we say to a birth parent?

    Focus on being yourself.  Let the birth parent(s) get to know you and establish a comfort level that works for everyone. Birth parents will have concern and empathy for your situation, and you need to to understand and be compassionate about theirs. You should not be interrogative, ask for personal or confidential information which you personally would be uncomfortable providing, or question medical history.  

     

    Adoption Tax Identification Number

    ATIN Numbers - An Adoption Tax Identification Number (ATIN) is obtained for your adopted child when you are not yet able to get a Social Security Number.  It is a temporary number that can be used until the SSN is issued.  To get an ATIN, adoptive parents must file a W-7A form which can be downloaded from www.irs.gov. It takes 4-6 weeks to obtain an ATIN and it expires two years after being issued (by then you should have the SSN!).

    Social Security Numbers - For information on getting a social security number, go to www.socialsecurity.gov or call 1-800-772.1213.    

     

    Best Lawyer in America by Best Lawyers

    Best Lawyer in America by Best Lawyers

    “I believe in working with each of my clients—in support of their family dynamic—to make the dreams of parenthood a reality. Whether you are single or married; or gay; a step-parent, a surrogate or intended parent or a child of adoption, it is my mission to serve as your advocate. With a dedication to the ethical and sensitive nature of each situation, I will help you understand the laws within Maryland or Washington, DC for adoption or surrogacy, and pledge to be your partner throughout the journey.” - Jennifer Fairfax

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