California Adoption Attorneys

Meet Our Team of Adoption Experts

Susan Romer: An Experienced Professional by Your Side

As managing attorney, Susan has been helping match children and families for 18 years. Her firm, Adams and Romer, has over 70 years of experience in the adoption field. Susan is an active member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, an organization for adoption attorneys who have reached the highest level of skill and experience. She is also a member of the Academy of California Adoption Lawyers. She is the founder and president of On Your Feet Foundation, Northern California. She has extensive mediation training in adoption issues. She holds a law degree from Golden Gate University School of Law, a Ph.D in education from UC Berkeley, and a bachelor's degree from Barnard College of Columbia University.

Team Approach to Meeting Your Needs

Susan and her staff offer an experienced team approach to adoption, managing your case from the moment you retain our office through finalization of your adoption. We evaluate the needs of adoptive families, and help you develop achievable goals that meet your unique needs. We guide you in matching with an expectant mother, coordinating the adoption plan with other professionals, and creating a plan for terminating the birth father's parental rights. We continue to offer support to adoptive families after a child has been placed in your home, including preparing you for the finalization hearing. When we represent a birth parent, we give the same high level of care and professionalism.

"You can be an active participant, developing your relationship as birth parents and adoptive parents during the pregnancy, at the hospital, and in the future. I have found that success is more likely when all parties are full partners in their adoption process.

"I love my work because it allows me to combine my expertise in adoption law with the personal side of people's lives. No lawyer can guarantee success, but you will receive my full attention and support with the goal of bringing a child into a safe loving home. That is my promise!"

Karin Stoeckenius

Attorney Karin Stoeckenius assists Susan in keeping your adoption case going smoothly. She also handles guardianships and is a trained mediator and collaborative attorney. Karin holds a law degree from Empire College, an MBA from the University of San Francisco, and a bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado.

Deborah Cain

Deborah Cain, certified paralegal, received her specialized associate’s degree - paralegal from Empire College in Santa Rosa, California. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in special education and master’s degree in education. She is an active member of the Redwood Empire Association of Paralegals and the National Association of Legal Assistants. She will be the first voice you hear and she is excited at the possibility of creating families and helping them in every step of the process. She looks forward to speaking with you soon and taking care of your needs. Thank you for your interest in the Adoption Law Offices of Adams & Romer.

Our Firm's Philosophy

I believe that adoption is a positive way to build a loving family. Open adoption enables birth parents and the adoptive parents to have control over their adoption process.

History: Specializing in Adoption for Over 70 years

Our firm was founded by Philip Adams (1905-1997), a leading California attorney who led the way in open adoptions in California. Susan and Phil became partners when he was in his late 80s, wanting a younger attorney to share his work in adoptions. He authored "Adoption Practice in California," which was the primary text on California adoption law. Phil was a significant leader in open adoption, a process in which the birth mother, with the help of an attorney, is able to choose the adoptive parents, rather than have an agency determine where her child would be placed. Susan now mentors new lawyers who are interested in the field of adoption.

Call Toll Free 1-800-U-ADOPT-US (1-800-823-6788) to Speak to a San Francisco Open Adoption Lawyer

As a law office, we do our best to ensure a safe, legal, and ethical adoption. If you would like to speak to us about adoption, please e-mail adamsromer@aol.com or call toll free 1-800-U-ADOPT-US (1-800-823-6788).