Adoption Policy Conferences

The Justice Action Center, the Center for Adoption Policy, and the Diane Abbey Law Center for Children and Families are proud to co-sponsor a yearly conference on adoption law and policy. The first annual conference took place at New York Law School in the spring of 2004, with the Justice Action Center and the Center for Adoption Policy as its sponsors. The Diane Abbey Law Center for Children and Families was created at New York Law School in 2011 and immediately joined as cosponsor of the adoption conference, then in its eight year. Beginning with the 2013 conference, the Diane Abbey Law Center became New York Law School's primary institutional sponsor alongside the Center for Adoption Policy.

For information on future conferences, please click here.

CONGRESSIONAL ANGEL IN ADOPTION AWARD

The Center for Adoption Policy, cosponsor of the Annual Adoption Policy Conference, received a 2008 Congressional Angel in Adoption award, predicated in part on the success of the conference. The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute recognized the conference as the "pre-eminent adoption forum, bringing together scholars, practitioners and members of the adoption community." 

PAST CONFERENCES

The 2004 conference focused on developments in the fields of intercountry adoption, transnational law, and European Union law. The well-regarded journal Diplomatic History joined in cosponsoring this first annual conference. For complete speaker information and a list of topics discussed, please click here.

The 2005 conference addressed the topic of gay and lesbian adoption, touching on the history of the movement, its current status, and future prospects. The second annual conference was cosponsored by the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute. Complete information on the conference is available by clicking here.

The 2006 conference addressed groundbreaking issues in adoption policy, including the legal and political ramifications of continuing technological development. Click here for complete conference information.

The 2007 conference returned to a discussion of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption, and that treaty's effect on intercountry adoption in the United States. Click here for details on the fourth annual conference.

The 2008 conference investigated the structural, legal, and societal barriers that delay permanency for children in foster care who need families and suggested measures that address the pressing problems that impede the formation of adoptive families for children in care. Click here for complete information on speakers and topics.  

The 2009 conference examined the state of international adoption to and from the United States one year after the effective date of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption in the U.S. Click here for more information and video from the conference.

The 2010 conference focused on the national and international policies promoting the preservation and reunification of families, as well as the creation of permanent families for parentless children. Click here for more information and to watch videos of the conference.

The 2011 conference examined the ongoing development of adoption law in the face of evolving domestic and international legal regimes. Click here for details on the conference, including CLE materials.

The 2012 conference returned to the annual conference's roots, investigating the potential future developments in international adoption law.