Family Law Lawyer Terry Sheppard attended his first American Academy of Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys (AAARTA) conference in Montreal. The conference, which took place from May 7- 10th, brought together hundreds of legal practitioners from all over the world who are members of the AAARTA or the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys (AAAA), now collectively known as the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys (AAAA).
In addition to various networking and breakout meeting opportunities, AAARTA members attended educational and informative sessions aimed at the advancement of best legal practices. Conference sessions included:
- “A Lawyer’s Guide to Embryos” – A discussion of the theoretical issues, best practices, and latest developments in embryo ownership, disposition, posthumous reproduction and fertility clinic involvement. – Susan Crockin & Deb Wald
- Understanding the risks and complications of Multi-Jurisdictional Practice – Moderator: Jennifer Fairfax
- Collaborating Across Borders – Moderator: Sara Cohen
- Turning the Prism: Hearing the Voice of the Child – What we can learn from a different vantage point: consideration of surrogacy and donor arrangements from the perspective of the resulting child. – Moderator: Leslie McKinnon
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About the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys
The AAAA is a credentialed professional organization dedicated to the advancement of best legal practices in the area of assisted reproduction and to the protection of the interest of all parties, including the children, involved in assisted reproductive technology matters. To apply to become a Fellow, you must be licensed to practice law, have practiced law for at least 5 five years, have handled at least 50 diverse assisted reproductive matters, and have five recommendations including one from an existing Fellow and a member of the judiciary.