Guiding families through the legal steps of family building journeys.

Providing representation for...

Adoptive
parents

Guiding adoptive families through the legal steps leading up to adoption finalization.

intended
parents

Guiding intended parents through the legal steps to grow their families through gamete donation, embryo donation, and surrogacy.

gestational
surrogates

Guiding gestational surrogates through the legal steps to help others build their families through surrogacy.

Adoption
Agencies

Guiding adoption agencies through the ethical legal process to place children with adoptive families.

Gamete & Embryo Donors

Guiding donors through the legal steps to help others build their families through donation.

Adoptive
parents

Guiding adoptive families through the legal steps leading up to adoption finalization.

intended
parents

Guiding intended parents through the legal steps to grow their families through gamete donation, embryo donation, and surrogacy.

gestational surrogates

Guiding gestational surrogates through the legal steps to help others build their families through surrogacy.

Adoption Agencies

Guiding adoption agencies through the ethical legal process to place children with adoptive families.

Gamete &
Embryo Donors

Guiding donors through the legal steps to help others build their families through donation.

Sarah E. Wilson

Attorney

Practice Areas


Adoption

Building families through agency adoption, independent adoption, interstate adoption (crossing state lines), adoption from foster care, step-parent adoption, adult adoption, and second-parent adoption following surrogacy.


Surrogacy and ART

Building families through donor contracting, gestational carrier agreements, establishing legal parentage, and finalizing second-parent adoptions.

Working with Sarah E. Wilson Law

Client Focused

Sarah works with each of her clients to create a client-focused legal representation experience that aligns with their needs.

Collaborative

It has been Sarah’s experience that these types of legal cases progress more quickly and efficiently when all parties and attorneys work together collaboratively.

Compassionate

Sarah recognizes that adoption and surrogacy journeys are an exciting part of life, however, families may sometimes face challenges and uncertainties throughout their journey.

The Process

Schedule an initial consultation with Sarah.

Meet with Sarah by phone or video conference to learn more about the next steps in your journey.

Get started with the legal steps to grow your family.

Why Choose Sarah E. Wilson Law?

Why Choose Sarah E. Wilson Law?

I have had the pleasure of working with Sarah, while doing a Gestational Surrogacy. Her professionalism & personality are top notch. She has this way of maintaining a professional relationship while really relating to you, in your role & in hers. I've found her to be very responsive to messages and she is always evolving the practice to make communication/contact easier for her clients! I like that there are other options to get in contact with her other than phone & email.
Gestational Carrier
Surrogacy
When my wife and I were looking for an attorney to represent us, we had three criteria in mind for our final selection. First, was the lawyer trustworthy; secondly, was the lawyer knowledgeable and competent in the practice of law; and third, would the representation protect the privacy of all parties involved in the adoption. The answer was a resolute “yes” to each of our concerns. In addition to the professional traits mentioned, she was patient, courteous, and brought a sense of empathy and understanding to the adoption that would have been difficult to find in any other representation. We highly endorse Sarah E. Wilson for your consideration. She is the type of lawyer who approaches the topic with accuracy, speed, and integrity. We always looked forward to hearing from her during the entire adoption process because we knew she was the epitome of honesty and caring concern, and we always knew where we were in the adoption timetable. In the final analysis, we sought professional references from other attorneys and they universally praised her representation, profound ethical practices, and her ability to develop a relaxed, professional relationship with those she represented. And, that is exactly what we found in Sarah Wilson.
Adoptive Parents
Adult Adoption
We have had a great working relationship between Sarah and our Organization! She has been able to deliver on all of our needs while accompanying our asks with additional solutions to provide so much added value that we may have missed if it weren't for her. Knowing her personally as well, she is extremely dedicated to the impact she gets to make with her practice and the clients she serves, but also within our local community. Would highly recommend, as she is highly knowledgeable, deeply invested in the people she serves, and truly cares about the impact that she can make!
Business Owner

How can I help? Let's connect.

More about sarah

Sarah attended Drake University Law School in Des Moines, graduating with honors and earning her JD in 2017. Sarah also attended Des Moines University, earning a Master of Health Care Administration. After graduating from her JD/MHA program, Sarah was admitted to practice law in the State of Iowa in fall 2017.

Sarah completed her undergraduate education at Iowa State University, graduating with double degrees in Criminal Justice and Spanish in 2010. Sarah then began a career in health care working for a medical office in South Carolina, where her husband served in the Marine Corps.

Sarah is currently an active member of the following professional associations:

  • Polk County Bar Association
  • Iowa State Bar Association, Family and Juvenile Law Section
  • American Bar Association, Committees: Adoption; Assisted Reproductive Technologies
  • Polk County Women Attorneys

Beyond her legal practice, Sarah is passionate about giving back to the community in the form of volunteering and serving on boards and committees for non-profit organizations.

Bar admissions

State of Iowa – 2017.

State of Colorado – 2021.

Education

J.D., Drake University Law School, with honors. 

Masters of Health Care Administration, Des Moines University, 2017.

Bachelor of Arts, Criminal Justice, Iowa State University, 2010.

Bachelor of Arts, Spanish, Iowa State University, 2010.

Speaking engagements

Careers in Health Care Law, Guest Speaker, Drake University Law School Health Law Society and Public Interest Law Association, November 2021.

Adoption and Assisted Reproductive Technology Guest Lecture, Drake University Law School Family Law Class, November 2021.

Solo and Small Firm Panel, Polk County Women Attorneys, September 2021.

community involvement

Founding Board Member, Engage Ankeny.

Board Member, Latina Leadership Initiative of Greater Des Moines.

Volunteer Committee Member, Can Do Cancer.

Volunteer Attorney, Polk County Bar Association.

Volunteer Lawyer Project.

Volunteer Attorney, American Bar Association Military Pro Bono Project.

Annual Participant in the Cady Day of Public Service.

Graduate of Ankeny Leadership Institute Class of 2019.

Past Board Member, Polk County Women Attorneys.

Past Volunteer Committee Member, Susan G. Komen Greater Iowa.

Professional Associations and Memberships:

Iowa

Iowa State Bar Association (ISBA)

Family Law Section Member

Polk County Bar Association (PCBA)

Polk County Women Attorneys (PCWA)

Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce, Member

Greater Des Moines Partnership, Member

Colorado

Colorado Bar Association (CBA)

National

American Bar Association (ABA), Family Law Section

Assisted Reproductive Technology Committee Member

American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)

Legal Professionals Group Member

Society for Ethics in Egg Donation and Surrogacy (SEEDS)

Resolve: The National Infertility Organization