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Amira Sarah Trattner Hasenbush

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Avvo Rating10
  • Encino, CA
  • Licensed for 8 years
  • Free consultation
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About Amira

Amira has been called "a lawyer with heart."  In addition to being thorough, efficient, and detail oriented, she cares about every one of her clients and making sure that they are getting what they need when they walk out of her door.  Amira graduated second in her class from UCLA School of Law and also has a Masters in Public Health.  She has chosen family representing all ends of the LGBT spectrum, giving her a deeper understanding of the special needs that may be involved for LGBT families. Her practice focuses on family formation - surrogacy, adoption, sperm/egg donation, and complex parentage litigation. 

Prior to taking her solo practice full-time, Amira spent five and a half years as the Jim Kepner Law and Policy Fellow for the Williams Institute, where she did research and published reports on LGBT law and policy, including discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, family law issues for transgender parents and children, and the legal needs of people living with HIV. 

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Practice areas

Uncontested divorceMarriage and prenuptialsFamilyAdoption
  1. Adoption: 75%

    We provide legal assistance to families using assisted reproduction, adopting, and those seeking protection through co-parenting agreements, parentage orders or guardianships.

  2. Family: 15%

    We serve clients seeking name and/or gender changes.

  3. Marriage and prenuptials: 5%

    We represent clients in reviewing and negotiating prenuptial agreements.

  4. Uncontested divorce: 5%

    We assist clients in "status only" divorces in which there is no dispute over property or children.

Languages spoken

English

Photos and videos

4574758 1509583458

Contact

The Law Office of Amira Hasenbush

17043 Ventura Blvd
Encino, CA, 91316

    Resume

    License
    StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
    CAActive201311/06/2021
    We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
    Avvo Contributions
    Legal answers329
    Legal guides0
    Work Experience
    TitleCompany nameDuration
    OwnerThe Law Office of Amira Hasenbush2016 - Present
    Jim Kepner Law and Policy FellowThe Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law2013 - 2019
    Law ClerkNew York State Office of the Attorney General Environmental Protection Bureau2012 - 2012
    Law ClerkU.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights2011 - 2011
    Law ClerkHIV & AIDS Legal Services Alliance2010 - 2010
    Associations
    Association namePosition nameDuration
    LGBT Bar Association of Los AngelesMember2017 - Present
    Society for Ethics for Egg Donation and SurrogacyMember2015 - Present
    National LGBT Bar AssociationMember, Family Law Institute2014 - Present
    Los Angeles County Bar AssociationMember2013 - Present
    American Bar AssociationMember, Assisted Reproductive Technologies Committee2013 - Present
    Publications
    Publication nameTitleDate
    Blog PostCalifornia Will Be Defaulting to Open Identity Sperm and Egg Donation with an Opt Out in 20202019
    ABA Family AdvocateJewish Law and Assisted Reproductive Technology2019
    The Cambridge Handbook of Policing in the United StatesPolice and Criminalization of LGBT People2019
    Blog PostWhat’s Happening With Children Born Abroad to LGBT Parents?2019
    JuristThe Impacts of the Shifting Definition of Sex Under the Law2018
    National LGBT Bar Association Family Law Institute BlogBut, I’m on the Birth Certificate! Why a Birth Certificate Alone Is Not Sufficient Protection for Your Legal Parentage Rights2018
    Sexuality Research and Social PolicyGender Identity Nondiscrimination Laws in Public Accommodations: A Review of Evidence Regarding Safety and Privacy in Public Restrooms, Locker Rooms, and Changing Rooms2018
    The Williams InstituteHIV Criminalization and Sex Work in California2017
    Education WeekWhat a Transgender Military Ban Could Mean for Students2017
    The Williams InstituteTransgender Parenting: A Review of Existing Research2014
    Education
    School nameDegreeGraduated
    University of California at Los Angeles School of LawJD - Juris Doctor2013
    University of California, Los Angeles School of Public HealthMPH2011
    University of California - BerkeleyBA - Bachelor of Arts2006
    Speaking Engagements
    Conference nameTitleDate
    LGBTQ+ Allyship Training SeriesResponse + Action—Transgender Policy Panel: Ensuring the Right to Health2019
    Law and Litigator LGBT+ ForumLet's Talk About Sex, Baby: LGBT+ Family Building Advanced Issues Beyond Assisted Reproduction2019
    Lavender LawThe Right to Parent: Advanced LGBT+ Family-Building & Assisted Reproductive Technology2019
    Family Law SymposiumModern Family Formation2019
    California Senate Judiciary Committee HearingTestimony in Support of SB 741: Appropriate Administrative Documents for Transgender People2019
    ABA Family Law Section ConferenceAssisted Reproductive Technology and the Constitution Part I: Foundations and Challenges of ART Law on Both Sides of the Atlantic2019
    Virtual RoudntableWhen Facts and Feelings Compete over Transgender Rights: Legislation, Litigation and the Ballot2018
    UCLA Law 397: Advanced Legal ResearchLegal Research in the Real World2018
    Lavender LawMarriage Minefields, Tax Torture & Planning Pitfalls for LGBT Families2018
    Family Law SymposiumEmerging Issues in LGBT Family Law2018
    Before You Sign the Dotted Line...Legal Contracts in Navigating Infertility2018
    Fair Share for Equality ConveningHIV Criminalization in California2017
    Best Practices for Trans HIV Prevention & Care: Addressing Social Determinants of HealthGender Identity and the Law2017
    International AIDS ConferenceHealth Impacts of Unmet Legal Needs for Low-Income Women Living with HIV2016
    Annual ConferenceDiscrimination and Harassment by Law Enforcement against LGBT People and Communities2015
    San Francisco Training for Family Court Staff and AssociatesLegal Implications for Transgender Parents and Children2014

    Reviews

    (15)5.0 stars
    5 Star
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    4 Star
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    Review Amira Hasenbush

    Highly Recommended

    5.0 stars

    Posted by

    Amira helped us with our egg donor agreement. Amira took the time to help us understand the agreement, navigate the process and overall being mindful of what was important to us (with the additional complexity of including international legal requirements). Amira is thoughtful, highly knowledgeable and compassionate. We highly recommend Amira to any intended parent.
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Communicative, Helpful!

    5.0 stars

    Posted by

    Really appreciated working with Amira. She was very communicative and clear. We worked on second parent adoption and despite the challenging process, Amira was super helpful and the whole way through. Would recommend her for sure!
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Terrific Partner

    5.0 stars

    Posted by

    Amira led us through this challenging process with a lot of patience, compassion, and expertise. We relied on her intimate knowledge of Queer family planning and she proved over and over again to be the partner we needed to find success.
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Best lawyer!

    5.0 stars

    Posted by

    Amira is both awesome and professional, you couldn't ask for a better experience! She's on the ball, patient, candid, warm, and absolutely has your best interests at the heart of everything she does. We used Amira's expertise for a contract re: fertility and it felt like our very first decision as potential parents was a good one! By the end of our experience we were very much like, "where can we please leave you a great review?" --that good!
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    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Highly Recommended

    5.0 stars

    Posted by

    As my husband and I launched into the stressful process of trying to have a child through surrogacy, we knew we needed a solid attorney to help us navigate the myriad of challenges we would face. We heard Amira speak on a podcast about surrogacy and could tell she was an expert in this field. Selecting her as our attorney was the best decision we've made in this journey. She is incredibly smart and thorough in her work, and she is also a compassionate, warm person with a great sense of humor. She has guided us through many challenges and makes everything easier to understand. Amira values our perspective and respects our decisions. She is also passionate about helping surrogates and intended parents enter into solid contracts that protect and respect all parties. It's obvious that this is more than a job to Amira. She loves what she does and cares about her clients. This is the type of person you want representing you when you're launching into a process like surrogacy. We cannot recommend Amira highly enough.
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    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Highly Recommend

    5.0 stars

    Posted by

    I got in touch with Amira while seeking representation for a domestic violence restraining order case. Even though I could not afford Amira's retainer for representation through-out the case, she was highly responsive and attentive and provided the help and advice that she could. We worked together for a one hour session so that I could prepare to represent myself in court and speaking with her did so much to help me feel more confident. It is obvious that she cares a great deal about her work and her clients - not just as clients, but as actual people.
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    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    The best lawyer you can wish for

    5.0 stars

    Posted by

    Amira helped us to go through the entire adoption process for establishing my wife as the lawful second mom to our child. Those months were a pleasant time. All the procedures with her were clear, precise, and as fast as possible given the COVID situation. She even managed to speed it up a bit so, in the end, we were quite happy lawful family of three with our child being protected from all sides. And, of course, I would genuinely recommend Amira as a lawyer who always will get your back.
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    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Head and Heart

    5.0 stars

    Posted by

    Amira is a blessing in this world. She truly cares for her clients in a way that can be felt throughout your entire experience with her. What I needed most was someone who was able to interpret for me what was happening. Someone who understood that in addition to undergoing a tremendous legal process, also knew that my emotional state was also being tested. Her kindness and ability to relay information really helped me in many ways. She is a solid rock star Lawyer, but she’s also a wonderful warm hearted soul, that is really here to be of service to those who are in need. She helped me transition into freedom and I am very grateful.
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    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    A kind and thoughtful support you need

    5.0 stars

    Posted by

    Worked with Amira on my prenup and she was very assisting, supporting and keep my minds in mind even more than I did=) Suggest everyone who likes a calm, thoughtful, professional person to work with.
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Excellent lawyer

    5.0 stars

    Posted by

    Even I have a incomplete information she still understand what what I mean and she still answered my question.
    This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
    Consulted attorney
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    Attorney endorsements

    (8)
    Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer
    Lawyer Stephanie Reyes

    Stephanie Reyes, Adoption Attorney on Nov 16, 2021
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Hasenbush provides a much-needed service on Avvo and donates time to individuals who are in need of immediate legal answers.

    Lawyer Michael Charles Doland

    Michael Doland, Adoption Attorney on May 10, 2021
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    Although fairly new to Avvo, it is immediately obvious that the answers of Ms. Hasenbush are accurate, full of analysis, and customized to the needs of the Avvo askers. These are exactly the qualities that every client should look for when hiring an attorney.

    Lawyer Stephanie Reyes

    Stephanie Reyes, Adoption Attorney on Nov 16, 2021
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Hasenbush provides a much-needed service on Avvo and donates time to individuals who are in need of immediate legal answers.

    Lawyer Michael Charles Doland

    Michael Doland, Adoption Attorney on May 10, 2021
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    Although fairly new to Avvo, it is immediately obvious that the answers of Ms. Hasenbush are accurate, full of analysis, and customized to the needs of the Avvo askers. These are exactly the qualities that every client should look for when hiring an attorney.

    Lawyer Martin Stuart Rudoy

    Martin Rudoy, Adoption Attorney on Jul 1, 2020
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    I think Amira is terrific. There is no standard category for what she does. She helps create families for couples who would not otherwise be able to have children. She is a family formation attorney. She cares about her clients and is passionate about what she does. If you’re looking to create a family the non-traditional way, you’ll be well-served to use Amira. She is LBGTQ-friendly.

    Lawyer Navid Kanani

    Navid Kanani, Adoption Attorney on May 15, 2020
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    Amira is very well informed in the area of family law, including marriage rights and adoption. She recently argued a case in the California Court of Appeal. It is obvious that she a strong advocate for her clients. I strongly endorse her!

    Lawyer Christine Marie Hanisco

    Christine Hanisco, Adoption Attorney on Jun 21, 2019
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    Amira is a dedicated and talented attorney. Any individual or couple seeking to build their family through assisted reproduction or adoption would be fortunate to have her assistance.

    Lawyer Anne Gyemant Paris

    Anne Gyemant Paris, Family Attorney on May 23, 2018
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    I endorse this lawyer.

    Lawyer Mark L Tseselsky

    Mark Tseselsky, Adoption Attorney on May 21, 2018
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    Amira has deep level knowledge of her field. She also cares very much about her clients. I am happy to recommend her to anyone looking for adoptions!

    Lawyer Ralph Mansyn Tsong

    Ralph Tsong, Family Attorney on Apr 24, 2018
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    Amira is very smart and dedicated to her clients.

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