Your adoption is important! Go with an adoption attorney who has handled 3500 successful adoptions!
Adoption is love. Adoption is about fulfilling your dream of raising a family. Adoption is about finding an appropriate home for a child.
Adoption is also a legal matter. While there may be an adoption agency involved in the placement, supervision or investigation, it is ultimately a decision for a court. For most of us, it is the most important legal proceeding we will be involved in our lifetimes. You want to minimize potential risks because what you really want is a family.
Stanton Phillips offers experience, knowledge and practical advice. He listens to your needs, advises you of your options and works with you to best achieve your goals. His legal practice is limited to building families through adoption and assisted reproductive technologies including surrogacy, gestational carriers and embryo adoptions.
Experience in adoptions for Stanton Phillips began in 1982 as a young litigator when an older attorney brought him into litigate a contested adoption. Now he has completed over 3,000 successful adoptions, helping families one at a time. These adoptions have come from just about every state and more than 65 countries.
Knowledge is built upon experience. Stanton Phillips has helped his clients through just about every imaginable situation and lots of situations that would be hard to imagine. He frequently teaches courses on adoption law as well as attends those presentations by his colleagues so he can follow the continuing changing landscape.
Stanton Phillips knows the adoption statutes because he has worked with the Virginia Legislature in drafting the laws. This included being the primary drafter of the major procedural rewrite in 2006 and participating in drafting the previous major rewrite in 1995. Additionally, Stanton Phillips drafted in 1999 the education statute with regards to foster children and children placed for adoption.
In the District of Columbia, Stanton Phillips was the first Chair of the D.C. Superior Court Adoption Committee consisting of Judges and lawyers that drafted the first comprehensive set of Adoption Rules. Under two D.C. mayors, he was the appointee as the attorney member of the Committee that regulates adoption agencies.
While adoption is a legal process, the route to a successful adoption involves many practical matters. Proper services need to be made available for a birth mother in order that she may adequately weigh her options. An adequate and positive support group should surround the birth mother to reassure her of her plan. We want to ensure that the birth mother is properly treated and that she has made an educated and meaningful decision that is best for both her and the baby.
Stanton Phillips has been recognized for his professional achievements in adoption as recipient of the 2006 Congressional Angel in Adoption Award. He has served as Chair of the Advisory Counsel for the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute and has organized a number of adoption programs in the U.S. Capitol. Four of his clients children have had their adoption finalized in the White House before the President and First Lady.
Stanton Phillips has co-authored or contributed to twenty books on adoption law including Adoption law in Virginia, District of Columbia Practice Manual, Adoption Law and Practice, Family Law and Practice and Legal Aspects of International Adoption.
Stanton Phillips understands your needs and believes in personal attention and a good bedside manner. He believes in handling cases quickly and timely. He knows you want to be able to go home as soon as possible with your new baby. His approach is to handle your work at the earliest opportune time so that when an emergency arises or a baby is born, he can handle the urgent matter without disrupting the routine matters. Stanton Phillips has the understanding and experience to handle your adoption while minimizing potential risks. Let Stanton Phillips help make your adoption successful and a wonderful experience.
Practice areas
Limited to adoption and reproductive technology. Represents clients in private, agency, international, special needs, interstate, stepparent and open adoptions. Total case management from assisting clients in finding birth mothers to obtaining new birth certificates after completing the adoption. Represents either birth mothers or adoptive parents (but never in same case). Handles assisted reproductive technology cases including surrogacy, genetic carriers and embryo adoptions.
40 years, 3,500 cases
Languages spoken
English
Goldenberg & Phillips, P.C.
8229 Boone Boulevard Suite 320
Tysons Corner
Vienna, VA, 22182
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
DC | Good Standing | 1981 | 03/01/2021 |
VA | Authorized to Practice Law | 1980 | 03/25/2022 |
Legal answers | 944 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
AV Preeminent Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2018 |
Top Lawyers | Northern Virginia Magazine | 2017 |
Top Lawyers | Northern Virginia Magazine | 2017 |
AV Preeminent Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2017 |
AV Preeminent Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2016 |
AV Preeminent Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2015 |
Top Lawyers | Northern Virginia Magazine | 2015 |
AV Preeminent Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2014 |
AV Preeminent Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2013 |
Top Lawyers | Northern Virginia Magazine | 2013 |
AV Preeminent Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2012 |
Top Lawyers | Northern Virginia Magazine | 2011 |
AV Preeminent Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2011 |
Recognition of 20 Years of Service | American Academy of Adoption Attorneys | 2010 |
AV Preeminent Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2010 |
AV Preeminent Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2009 |
AV Preeminent Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2008 |
Recognition of Service | Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute | 2008 |
AV Preeminent Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2007 |
Angel in Adoption | U.S. Congress | 2006 |
Invaluable Service Award | LDS Family Services | 2006 |
AV Preeminent Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2006 |
AV Preeminent Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2005 |
AV Preeminent Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2004 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Adoption Attorney | Goldenberg & Phillips, PC | 2003 - Present |
Adoption Attorney | Adoption Legal Services - Stanton Phillips | 1980 - 2003 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
NewFound Families (formerly FACES of Virginia Families) | Board of Trustees and Treasurer | 2013 - Present |
American Academy of Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys | Fellow | 2010 - Present |
American Academy of Adoption Attorneys | Fellow | 1990 - Present |
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute | Chair-Advisory Council | 2006 - 2008 |
DC Superior Court - Adoption Rules Committee | Chair/ Second Chair | 1992 - 1997 |
NCCUSL - Uniform Adoption Act | Participant | 1990 - 1994 |
DC Committee on Placement of Children in Family Homes | Attorney Representative | 1987 - 1994 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
National Business Institute | Adoption Law: Start to Finish | 2015 |
Virginia Family Law Quarterly | The Status of International Adoption | 2015 |
National Business Institute | Adoption Law: Start to Finish | 2013 |
National Business Institute | Adoption Law: Start to Finish | 2011 |
Family Law News (VIrginia State Bar Family Law Section) | Subsidies for Adoption | 2010 |
Family Law News (VIrginia State Bar Family Law Section) | Tax Benefits for Adoption for the 2009 Tax Year | 2009 |
National Association of Counsel for Children | Standing at the Forefront: Effective Advocacy | 2009 |
National Business Institute | Adoption Law: Start to Finish | 2008 |
National Business Institute | Legal Aspects of International Adoption | 2008 |
Family Law News (VIrginia State Bar Family Law Section) | The New 2007 Adoption Laws | 2007 |
Family Law News (VIrginia State Bar Family Law Section) | Highlights of 2006 Virginia Adoption Legislation | 2006 |
National Business Institute | Guiding Clients Thru The Virginia Process | 2005 |
Arlington County Bar Association | Adoption Law in Virginia 2005 | 2005 |
Lorman Education Services publication | Law for Social Workers | 2003 |
National Business Institute | Adoption Law in Virginia | 2003 |
District of Columbia Bar Association | District of Columbia Practice Manual | 2001 |
Virginia Department of Social Services | Adoption in Virginia | 2000 |
Lorman Education Services publication | Law for Social Workers | 2000 |
District of Columbia Bar Association | Adoption Law and Practice Manual | 1999 |
George Mason University Law School | Attorney's Manual | 1999 |
District of Columbia Bar Association | Adoption Law and Practice Manual | 1998 |
George Mason University Law School | Virginia Adoption Manual | 1998 |
National Business Institute | The Guardian ad litem in Virginia | 1997 |
George Mason University Law School | Virginia Adoption Law and Procedure | 1997 |
District of Columbia Bar Association | Adoption Law and Practice Manual | 1997 |
District of Columbia Bar Association | Adoption Law and Practice Manual | 1996 |
National Business Institute | Adoption Law in Virginia | 1996 |
The Legal Adoption Guide | Foreward | 1996 |
Family Law and Practice | Adoption Law, Procedure and Practice | 1995 |
Adoption Law and Practice | Adoption Procedures - Update | 1995 |
Adoption Law and Practice | Attorney's Role in Private Agency Adoption - Update | 1995 |
Adoption Law and Practice | Adoption Procedures - Update | 1994 |
Adoption Law and Practice | Attorney's Role in Private Agency Adoption - Update | 1994 |
Adoption Law and Practice | Adoption Procedures - Update | 1993 |
Adoption Law and Practice | Attorney's Role in Private Agency Adoption - Update | 1993 |
Adoption Law and Practice | Adoption Procedures - Update | 1992 |
Adoption Law and Practice | Attorney's Role in Private Agency Adoption - Update | 1992 |
The Adoption Law Journal | Refusal to Identify Birthfathers | 1991 |
The Adoption Law Journal | Recent Adoption Cases | 1991 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
George Mason University School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1980 |
American University | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1976 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
2016 FBA Annual Conference | Adoption 101 | 2016 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
CHOLLETTE v. KEELING | Adoption successful and appeal denied based on putative father's failure to establish paternity. |
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Derek Jacques, Adoption Attorney on Jan 11, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mr. Phillips is an excellent advocate for his clients. I would not hesitate to recommend him to a client in need. He is also an asset to the Avvo Community, providing invaluable resources to those seeking help
Homer Jordan, Adoption Attorney on Feb 22, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Derek Jacques, Adoption Attorney on Jan 11, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mr. Phillips is an excellent advocate for his clients. I would not hesitate to recommend him to a client in need. He is also an asset to the Avvo Community, providing invaluable resources to those seeking help
Homer Jordan, Adoption Attorney on Feb 22, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Leonard Boyer, Adoption Attorney on Jan 4, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Phillips is an extremely knowledgeable and effective attorney for his clients.
Christine Hanisco, Adoption Attorney on Mar 10, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I highly recommend Attorney Phillips to anyone seeking to adopt a child. He is very knowledgeable about the field and provides exceptional service to his clients.
David Carroll, Adoption Attorney on Oct 20, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Stanton is a very knowledgeable attorney with keen insight in the matters of adoption. I highly endorse Stanton.