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Susan Jane Romer
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Susan Jane Romer
Adams & Romer
1191 Church St.
San Francisco, CA 94114-3403
Phone: (415) 643-4523 | Fax: (415) 643-6421
http://www.1-800-u-adopt-us.com/
Adoptions: Newborn, Step & Domestic Partner, Relative
Legal Topic
Family Law
Preferred New Clients
First and foremost, we handle open adoptions of newborns by adoptive parents, where we assist with outreach and identification of the baby to be adopted. We also routinely do adoptions by stepparents, domestic partners, and relatives, and "re-adoptions" following international adoptions. In cases where I do not represent the adoptive parents, I will represent birth parents. I also do adoption mediation when a problem arises between parties, but do not litigate, which we refer out to experienced adoption litigators.
Sub-Categories
Children
- Adoptions
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 1992
Bar Number: 161083
Other Court Admissions
The California Superior Court.
Association Memberships
The Academy of California Adoption Lawyers (ACAL), the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys (AAAA), Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF), Collaborative Practice Center (Santa Rosa).
Continuing Education
I organize and teach continuing legal education seminars on adoption and attend seminars on adoption law at the California Academy of Adoption Attorneys (ACAL) and at national organizations such as the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys (AAAA). Though not continuing legal education hours, I also provide education opportunities to adopting and birth families and adoption professionals.
Papers and Publications
I have published in the areas of both higher education and adoption. Our associate attorney, Charlie Spiegel, has written and spoken extensively on family formation for LGBT families through adoption and surrogacy, as well as civil rights.
Example Cases
I spend much of my time matching birthparents with parents adopting newborns. This work regularly includes working with single people, LGBT couples, and single parents successfully finding and adopting newborns. I also handle adoptions by stepparents of children of a spouse following marriage, or those of a domestic partner following registration.
Education
Degree:
B.A.
School:
Barnard College
City:
New York
State:
NY
Year:
1964
Degree:
M.A.
School:
Northwestern University
City:
Evanston
State:
IL
Year:
1965
Honors:
Ford Foundation Grant
Degree:
Juris Doctor
School:
Golden Gate University, School of Law
City:
San Francisco
State:
CA
Year:
1991
Focus and Accomplishments:
Golden Gate University Law Review, Women's Law Forum: "Child Sexual Abuse and Custody and Visitation Disputes: Problems, Progress and Prospects."
Degree:
PhD, Education
School:
The University of California at Berkeley
City:
Berkeley
State:
CA
Year:
1980
Honors:
Published articles on women in higher education.
Number of Attorneys
2
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
Since 1992, I have offered personal and full legal services to expectant parents who are placing their child for adoption and to families looking to adopt a child, whether they include a married couple, partners or single parents. Safe, legal and ethical adoptions are available throughout the U.S.
The focus of our firm is to provide comprehensive adoption services to our clients, whether adoptive parents or birth parents. The majority of our work is matching birthparents with adoptive parents. We gather all background information, medical records and interview prospective expectant mothers, before having them select the parent or parents they wish. We keep a trust fund for our clients' financial help for birth moms. We look into legal obstacles that may prevent or complicate an adoption.
Phillip Adams, the firm's founder, practiced adoption law for 59 years. He passed away in 1997, but was the driving force behind establishing adoption law in California. Susan Romer became a partner when Phil turned 90. Although
I practiced other areas of family law; I now limit my practice to adoptions.
Previous Employment Summary
Before going back to law school, I worked both as a nonprofit fundraiser and as a PhD researcher at U.C. Berkeley.
Activities and Awards
Pro Bono through the Bar Association of San Francisco.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
The best clients are those who have researched and educated themselves on adoption even before coming to see a lawyer.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
We do not review legal documents prepared by clients; however, we work very collaboratively with clients on outreach to birth parents and the documents clients prepare, such as "Dear Birthmom" letters.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I am concerned that people who try adopt on their own are often missing essential information. Assuming it is affordable, hiring an attorney ensures that everything is done correctly and in accordance with all modern practices.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I had always wanted to be a lawyer, but when I graduated from college in 1964, very few women went to law school. I continued my education by getting both my M.A. and my PhD. in education, and then attended law school. I found my niche in family law and adoptions.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
The life experience of raising children and creating a blended family, and dealing with all sorts of people in a variety of careers makes me better able to understand the needs of my clients. In part because of my graduate education and my children, I am able to listen to and understand the concerns of others on a very personal, individualized basis.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
Although I started in family law with divorce and custody disputes, I quickly realized I'd rather help put families together rather than take them apart. I've devoted my practice to adoptions ever since.
What do you like best about your career?
Each case in adoption is different. Adoptive parents and birth parents want the best for the child, so if an adoption goes forward, it's a win/win situation for all.
Tell us about your law firm:
Charlie Spiegel, Associate Attorney, has worked and volunteered in diverse aspects of family formation and civil rights law since his graduation with honors from New York University Law School in 1987. Charlie adopted his daughter the day she was born (11 Valentine's Days ago) and together they remain in touch with her Northern California birth family—giving him first-hand experiences he can share with clients. He also writes and speaks extensively on adoption and civil rights.
Michelle Nobriga, JD, MBA, has been working in association with Adams & Romer since 2001 and came on board full time as our Legal Case Manager in March of 2005. She earned her law and MBA degrees from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. Michelle is originally from Kailua, Hawaii where she worked as a Counselor for women in crisis and was certified through the State of Hawaii in domestic violence and HIV/Aids testing and education. Michelle manages the adoption cases from the moment clients retain our office through finalization of an adoption. She assists our adoptive families by evaluating their needs and developing realistic goals in their adoption process. Michelle guides clients in matching with an expectant mother, in coordinating the adoption plan with other professionals, and in creating a plan for notice and termination of the birth father's parental rights. She also offers continued support to adoptive families after a child has been placed in their home which includes preparing them for the finalization hearing.
Nina Anderson, L.C.S.W, has been with Adams & Romer since 2002. Nina received her Masters of Social Work from San Diego State University and has been working with children and families since 1989. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, her primary role is to work closely with expectant parents providing guidance and education in all stages of their adoption plan. Nina assists expectant parents with meeting and matching with an adoptive family, exploring comfortable future contact, and preparing for the hospital time. She also provides post-partum support. Additionally, Nina supports adoptive families in their adoption process.
What are your strengths and style?
I try hard to please clients by listening carefully to their goals and acting quickly to help them move forward in the process of adoption. My style is informal, flexible and I use humor to help deal with the highly charged eventual impact of adoptions.
Personal Interests:
I enjoy art, outdoor activities, and time with family and friends. I have founded a non-profit to help birthmoms who have placed children for adoption move on in their lives through vocational counseling and education, called On Your Feet Foundation in Northern California. It's my way of giving back to the many women who've helped my clients and their own children by entrusting their children to the adoption process.
Office Manager/Assistant
Michelle Nobriga, Legal Case Manager; Nina Anderson, LCSW; Adrian Kearney, Office Manager.
Fax
(415) 643-6421
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
Lorena Barajas, Spanish.
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
We work mostly with flat fees ranging anywhere from $1,000 to approximately $16,000 depending on the circumstances of the adoption.
Hourly Rates
$400 per hour, with flat fees available for many tasks.
Free Initial Consultation?
The office offers up to 15 minutes free by telephone. Consultations usually run for two hours and currently cost $500.
Typical Retainer
It depends on the type of adoption.
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