Guiding adoptive families through the legal steps leading up to adoption finalization.
Guiding intended parents through the legal steps to grow their families through gamete donation, embryo donation, and surrogacy.
Guiding gestational surrogates through the legal steps to help others build their families through surrogacy.
Guiding adoption agencies through the ethical legal process to place children with adoptive families.
Guiding donors through the legal steps to help others build their families through donation.
Guiding adoptive families through the legal steps leading up to adoption finalization.
Guiding intended parents through the legal steps to grow their families through gamete donation, embryo donation, and surrogacy.
Guiding gestational surrogates through the legal steps to help others build their families through surrogacy.
Guiding adoption agencies through the ethical legal process to place children with adoptive families.
Guiding donors through the legal steps to help others build their families through donation.
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.
Building families through donor contracting, gestational carrier agreements, establishing legal parentage, and finalizing second-parent adoptions.
Sarah works with each of her clients to create a client-focused legal representation experience that aligns with their needs.
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.
Sarah recognizes that adoption and surrogacy journeys are an exciting part of life, however, families may sometimes face challenges and uncertainties throughout their journey.
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:
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.
State of Iowa – 2017.
State of Colorado – 2021.
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.
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.
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.
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