Biography of Deborah E. Spivack

(Admitted in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware)

Welcome to the website for the Law Offices of Deborah E. Spivack, a law practice devoted exclusively to adoption and family planning in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. I represent adoptive parents, birth parents, agencies and children in domestic private, agency, step-parent, second parent, foreign re-adoption, guardianship and Special Immigrant Juvenile cases. The hallmark of my practice is providing personalized, practical and informative legal advice that empowers clients to make informed decisions about family planning, always with an eye toward their short and long-term goals.

I have handled hundreds of adoptions, many of which have complex legal issues such as interstate placements, adoption subsidy, non-participating or contesting parties, international parties, immigration problems, Indian Child Welfare Act implications, state child protective services, and special needs or older children. I am a fellow of the American Academy of the Adoption Attorneys (AAAA), a membership-by-invitation only association of 340 attorneys throughout the United States with demonstrated experience in diverse adoption cases and who are committed to practicing in an ethical manner. I am a frequent speaker at professional conferences and actively participate in committees. I am also a member of the American Academy of Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys (ARTA). My professional goal is to enable prospective parents to come together with children who need families, and to keep the doors to adoption open and accessible to families who desire to come together.

I have also worked with dozens of agencies in pursuing accreditation under the Hague Convention, and have written numerous materials to assist client agencies bring their policies, procedures and contracts into compliance with the Hague regulations. I am a published author and frequent speaker on adoption topics to diverse audiences such as adoption parents, agency staff, adoption attorneys, and judges. I have also held leadership roles in organizations that promote ethical practice and ensure that adoption policy serves the interests of children worldwide.

My legal experience further includes corporate bankruptcy and commercial experience for a large law firm in Wilmington, Delaware. After graduation law school in 1993, I served as a law clerk in the federal bankruptcy court in Delaware.

I am also a proud mother of a beautiful child from Guatemala. I very much hope to help you to experience the joy of family through adoption or the many legal tools available today through assisted reproductive technology.