More Than Legal Service: Attorneys Helping Families Celebrate Adoption

By Fawn Davies, Communications Director

For many corporate attorneys, appearing before a judge is a rare experience. But through the Adoption Legal Services Project (ALSP), volunteer attorneys have an opportunity to step outside their usual practice and into a courtroom for a very special occasion: helping a child and family celebrate the finalization of an adoption.

As one longtime volunteer likes to say, “Adoption Day is the absolute best day you will ever have in court as an attorney.”
For 30 years, volunteer attorneys have played an important role in ALSP’s work, helping children and families achieve legal permanency through adoption. Since the program began in 1996, more than 2,000 children have had their adoptions finalized through ALSP, with most of those cases handled by volunteer attorneys.

Behind those numbers is a story of professional service, lasting partnerships and the personal rewards of helping families reach an important milestone.

A Partnership Built on Service

ALSP’s pro bono attorney program began in 1996 through a partnership with the law firm Reed Smith. Initially, volunteer attorneys assisted with both termination of parental rights proceedings and adoption finalizations. Changes in court procedures around 2010 shifted their involvement exclusively to adoption hearings.

The partnership continued to grow. Around 2015, attorneys from BNY Mellon joined the initiative, followed by in-house counsel from Highmark Health. Today, attorneys from all three organizations contribute their time and professional expertise to support adoption finalizations in Allegheny County.

Some volunteers participate nearly every month, while others serve once or twice a year. Among them is Dan Booker, who was Reed Smith’s managing partner when the program began and continues to volunteer three decades later.
Michael Wahlen, Esq., director of ALSP, says Booker's continued involvement sends an important message to other attorneys about the value of pro bono service.

Helping Families Reach the Finish Line

By the time a volunteer attorney becomes involved, ALSP’s paralegals have already worked closely with caseworkers and adoptive families to gather information, prepare legal documents and file the necessary paperwork.

The volunteer attorney then takes on an important role in the final step of the process. After reviewing the case materials, the attorney connects with the family and caseworkers, prepares witnesses and represents the family at the adoption hearing.
ALSP provides the documents, background information and guidance needed to make the experience successful. New volunteers are also encouraged to observe adoption hearings before handling their first case.

For many participating attorneys, particularly those working in corporate law, the experience offers not only a rare opportunity to appear in a courtroom, but an opportunity to be involved in a legal proceeding that forms a family. Adoption finalization hearings are very often occasions of tremendous joy.

“Some hearings are businesslike, if you will; others are quite emotional, many times not a dry eye in the courtroom,” Wahlen explains.

He recalls families presenting flowers to volunteer attorneys and inviting them into photographs with the judge, reflecting the meaningful role attorneys can play in these celebrations.

The Value Goes Both Ways

The benefits of volunteer participation extend well beyond the legal services provided.

For ALSP, the program brings dedicated legal professionals into the adoption process, allowing staff attorneys to devote more time to other responsibilities. This additional capacity helps the program manage a substantial volume of cases while maintaining its commitment to children and families.

“We have dedicated, passionate volunteers who genuinely enjoy handling adoptions,” Wahlen says.
For volunteers, the experience offers a meaningful way to use their professional skills in service to others. Some are drawn to the opportunity because they are adoptive parents or adoptees themselves. Others discover a deeper understanding of adoption, foster care and the importance of permanency through volunteering.

“One thing I’ve observed is that many attorneys have only a general notion of adoption,” Wahlen says. He believes introducing attorneys to the work of ALSP, the Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN) and Pennsylvania’s child welfare system is itself a valuable outcome of the program.

The program also strengthens a culture of service within participating organizations. Through volunteer recognition, educational sessions and personal encouragement, experienced attorneys help introduce new colleagues to the opportunity.

Celebrating 30 Years of Commitment

ALSP continues to benefit from a strong network of volunteer attorneys who are available for adoption hearings throughout the year. The program supported 174 adoption finalizations in 2024 and 141 in 2025.

As ALSP celebrates its 30-year anniversary, its success demonstrates what can happen when professionals and organizations share a commitment to helping children and families achieve permanency.

The ALSP team extends its gratitude to the hundreds of attorneys who have volunteered over the years and to Reed Smith, BNY Mellon and Highmark Health for their continued partnership.

For the families they serve, an adoption finalization marks a new chapter. For the attorneys who help make it possible, the privilege of sharing in that moment is a reward of its own.