Modern Adoption Practice in Colorado: A CLE Series Across the Fall - In-Person
You asked and we listened. CBA-CLE’s first comprehensive, topic-driven adoption CLE is here, our first adoption-related program since 2007!
Sessions are held Tuesdays, 3:00 – 5:00 pm, September through November.
Whether you’re new to adoption law or a seasoned domestic relations or juvenile law practitioner seeking updates, this 7-part series (16 general credits) offers a comprehensive and practical exploration of adoption law. It is presented by leading attorneys, judicial officers, and professionals working at the intersection of family law, child welfare, immigration, and reproductive rights.
From adoption basics and allocation of parental responsibilities (APR) vs. guardianship to county Department of Human Services (DHS) involvement, Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA ) compliance, immigration implications, and adoption disputes, each week builds your expertise and addresses real-world complexities in modern adoption practice.
The occasional client has a question—be ready. Adoption law involves niche and evolving issues rarely covered elsewhere. This series breaks it down into manageable chunks so you can build confidence and stay prepared when adoption-related matters arise.
Topics Include:
• Adoption basics and emerging trends
• Adoption vs. APR vs. guardianship
• DHS involvement in adoption
• Private agency adoptions
• Probate and inheritance considerations
• Judicial perspectives on adoption cases
• ICWA and customary adoption
• Immigration and intercountry adoption issues
• Interstate placements and ICPC
• Perspectives from adoptive and birth parents in contested cases
• Use of experts in adoption matters
• Termination of parental rights in cases involving sexual assault
• Child support implications
• Safe Haven laws
• Confirmatory and adult adoptions
• Foundational case law every adoption attorney should know
Home studies will be available 2-3 weeks following the live program.
CBA-CLE is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, and employment. To request an accommodation please contact [email protected] at least 14 business days in advance.
The program is accredited in Colorado. CBA-CLE staff can provide a Uniform Certificate of Attendance, and it is the attendee's responsibility to complete the accreditation outside of Colorado.
Week 1: Tuesday, September 9, 2025
3:00 – 3:05 pm
Welcome and Introduction to Adoption Series
Extended by Jody Davis, Esq., CBA-CLE Program Attorney, and Laurence I. Gendelman, Esq., Gendelman Klimas Edwards, Ltd., Program Chair
3:05 – 4:00 pm
Adoption Basics
Presented by Johanna Hendley, Esq., Modern Family Law
4:05 – 5:00 pm
Trends, Changes and the Future of Adoptions
Presented by Julie Erwin, Adoption Assistance
Adoption has certainly evolved over the last 50 years. Join us as we examine trends in domestic, international, relative and embryo adoption, regulatory changes, birthparent perceptions and rights, and anticipated changes to the state of adoption based on political influences.
Week 2: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
3:00 – 3:05 pm
Welcome and Today’s Presentations
Extended by Jody Davis, Esq., CBA-CLE Program Attorney, and Laurence I. Gendelman, Esq., Gendelman Klimas Edwards, Ltd., Program Chair
3:05 – 4:00 pm
Adoption, APR, or Guardianship: Which Is the Right Path?
Presented by Timothy J. Eirich, Esq., Grob & Eirich, LLC, and Andrew T. Fitzgerald, Esq., Grob & Eirich, LLC
4:05 – 5:00 pm
Adoption Through the Lens of DHS
Presented by Amy Packer, Esq., Human Services Legal Section, Denver City Attorney’s Office
Week 3: Tuesday, September 30, 2025
3:00 – 3:05 pm
Welcome and Today’s Presentations
Extended by Jody Davis, Esq., CBA-CLE Program Attorney
3:05 – 3:30 pm
Working With Adoption Agencies for Private Adoptions
Presented by Kelly Carmody, International Adoption Net, and Kandra Hosselkus, International Adoption Net
3:30 – 4:00 pm
Adoption-Related Probate Considerations
Presented by William ("Will") C. Erwin, Esq., Gendelman Klimas Edwards, Ltd.
4:05 – 5:00 pm
Judicial Panel
Presented by The Honorable Elizabeth McCarthy, Presiding Judge, Denver Juvenile Court, and The Honorable Lindsay L. VanGilder, Presiding Juvenile Judge, First Judicial District
Week 4: Tuesday, October 7, 2025
3:00 – 3:05 pm
Welcome and Today’s Presentations
Extended by Jody Davis, Esq., CBA-CLE Program Attorney
3:05 – 4:00 pm
Adoption, Customary Adoption, and the Indian Child Welfare Act: What Attorneys Must Know to Ensure Compliance
Presented by Lisa R. Shellenberger, Esq., Setter Roche Smith & Shellenberger LLP
4:05 – 5:00 pm
How do Adoptions Provide Immigration Benefits to Children? Intercountry Adoptions, Family-Based Adoptions, and Domestic Adoptions of Non-U.S. Citizen Children
Presented by Kimberly Elstun, Cherish Children Adoption International (CCAI) and Kathleen M. Glynn, Esq., Grob & Eirich, LLC
This session will focus on how and when an adoption can provide an immigration benefit, such as US citizenship or lawful permanent residency, to a non-citizen child. The session will provide an overview of the intercountry adoption process, including adoptions completed under the Hague Adoption Convention, orphan adoptions in compliance with the Universal Accreditation Act (UAA), family-based adoptions abroad, and domestic adoptions of non-citizen children residing in the United States. The session will focus on immigration issues in intercountry adoptions, the immigrant visas that are commonly issued, the role of adoption agencies and attorneys in intercountry adoptions, the role of Colorado courts, and the automatic acquisition of U.S. citizenship under the Child Citizenship Act. The session will briefly review alternatives to intercountry adoption, including Special Immigrant Juvenile Status.
Week 5: Tuesday, October 28, 2025
3:00 – 3:05 pm
Welcome and Today’s Presentations
Extended by Jody Davis, Esq., CBA-CLE Program Attorney, and Laurence I. Gendelman, Esq., Gendelman Klimas Edwards, Ltd., Program Chair
3:05 – 4:00 pm
Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) Overview: When Does It Apply and How to Move Forward
Presented by Timothy J. Eirich, Esq., Grob & Eirich, LLC, and Andrew T. Fitzgerald, Esq., Grob & Eirich, LLC
4:05 – 5:00 pm
Adoption Disputes: Perspectives from Petitioning Adoptive Parents
Presented by Kate O. Miller, Esq., Miller Family Law, LLC
Week 6: Tuesday, November 4, 2025
3:00 – 3:05 pm
Welcome and Today’s Presentations
Extended by Jody Davis, Esq., CBA-CLE Program Attorney
3:05 – 4:00 pm
Adoption Disputes: Perspectives from Birth Parents
Presented by Annie Martinez, Esq., PhD, Colorado Center on Law and Policy
4:05 – 5:00 pm
Use of Experts in Adoptions
Presenter to be named
Week 7: Tuesday, November 18, 2025
3:00 – 3:05 pm
Welcome and Today’s Presentations
Extended by Jody Davis, Esq., CBA-CLE Program Attorney, and Laurence I. Gendelman, Esq., Gendelman Klimas Edwards, Ltd., Program Chair
3:00 – 3:20 pm
Relinquishment and Termination of Parental Rights of a Child Conceived by Sexual Assault
Presented by Amy E. Pohl, Esq., Project Safeguard
This presentation will review existing and pending law related to relinquishing and/or terminating parental rights of a child that is conceived of sexual assault, and how this may impact adoption proceedings.
3:20 – 3:40 pm
Child Support
Presented by Lara Delka, Esq., Denver City Attorney’s Office, and Linda Nickels, Esq., Denver City Attorney’s Office
3:40 – 4:00 pm
Overview of Safe Haven Laws
Presenter to be named
4:00 – 4:20 pm
Confirmatory Adoptions: Protecting the Rights of Parents Through Assisted Reproductive Technology
Presented by Ellen Trachman, Esq., Trachman Law Center, LLC
4:20 – 4:40 pm
Adult Adoptions to Create an Heir at Law
Presented by Jodi S. Martin, Esq., Martin Law Office LLC
4:40 – 5:00 pm
The Fundamental Cases Every Adoption Attorney Should Know
Presented by Bonnie E. Saltzman, Esq., Law Office of Bonnie E. Saltzman, LLC
Registration Fees
| Non Member | $659.00 |
| CBA Member | $499.00 |
| CBA Family Law Section Member | $399.00 |
| CBA Juvenile Law Section Member | $399.00 |
| CBA Solo/Small Firm Section Member | $399.00 |
| Public Service/Government/Active Military | $249.50 |
| LLP/Paralegal/Legal Support Staff | $249.50 |
| New Lawyer Edge Partner | $249.50 |
| CLEACCESSPASS - ELITE Pass Holder | $0.00 |
| Student Currently Enrolled in Law School | $0.00 |
- General Credits: 16.00
- Ethics Credits:
- EDI Credits:
To join the CBA or add a Section to your membership click