SM&P Attorney Recognized Adoption Angel
Stearns-Montgomery & Proctor’s Partner Judy D. Sartain was recently recognized by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) as the 2023 Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute Angels in Adoption Honoree from Georgia with Congressman Andrew Clyde (GA-09).
This year 48 honorees were recognized in the CCAI’s Angels in Adoption ® Leadership Program which honors a wide spectrum of individuals and organizations making extraordinary contributions in adoption and foster care, permanency, and child welfare.
Selections have included recipients who have had a national impact: First Lady Laura Bush, Muhammad Ali, Bruce Willis, and many others.
Having practiced law since 1995, Judy has been committed to working with families, including foster children and families, since she began to practice law. Practicing what she preaches, two of her five children are adopted. One of her goals has always been to ensure that children are in safe, secure, and loving homes, and she has finalized around 900 adoptions thus far in her career. In addition to her adoption practice, Judy’s practice extends to all facets of family law and enjoys helping clients who may be experiencing great personal trauma in their lives, reassuring them that her team has their back and is always on their side.
Each year, the Angels in Adoption ® awardees travel to Washington DC to both celebrate their hard work and dedication to the issues and participate in special events designed to engage them in using their personal experience to effect change on behalf of children in need of safe and nurturing families.
During the celebration, Judy met with Representative Andrew Clyde and was presented with a pin and certificate to recognize her achievement.
“In both her life and career, Judy has tirelessly advocated for adoption and foster care, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to serving those in need of permanent, loving homes,” said Congressman Clyde. “It was a privilege to recommend Judy to receive this distinguished honor, and I’m confident that she will continue making the Ninth District proud through her extraordinary work,” he added.
The program also draws national and local media attention to raise public awareness about the positive difference adoption makes in the life of a child and inspires others to step forward to consider adoption.
Congress is currently considering extending the Federal Adoption Tax Credit into the 2024 tax year, and Judy is part of two organizations who are actively lobbying Congress to pass the laws that have helped thousands of people in a tangible, solid way to afford adopting a child or children. She is a Fellow with the Georgia Council of Adoption Lawyers, and with the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproductive Attorneys. Sartain is also a popular speaker at the Statewide Adoption CLE seminars and is the author of a handbook explaining the adoption process in Georgia, “A Beginner’s Guide to Georgia Adoption Law” which is available through the firm both in paperback and as a pdf. Click here to download Judy’s book, Beginner’s Guide to Georgia Adoption Law
“Judy’s unwavering dedication to the Georgia families of the children being adopted and fostered is evident when you talk to the parents,” said Mary Montgomery, SM&P founder and managing partner. “I love hearing the client’s stories about Judy’s courtroom capabilities after a heated battle. I’m in awe of her accomplishments; she is passionate about it – outside and inside the courtroom!
“As an adoptive parent herself, it is relevant when Judy shares stories of families and their journey to give a child a good home,” Mary added.
