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Many people dream of creating or enlarging their family with a child, but for some people, that dream is harder to achieve than for others. There are many reasons that intended parents may need help to build their families, and many reasons why donors, surrogates, and others may choose to help them. But whatever brings you to the point of considering assisted reproductive technology (ART), you nee...
Many people dream of creating or enlarging their family with a child, but for some people, that dream is harder to achieve than for others. There are many reasons that intended parents may need help to build their families, and many reasons why donors, surrogates, and others may choose to help them. But whatever brings you to the point of considering assisted reproductive technology (ART), you need not navigate the process alone—nor should you.
Building a family through reproductive technology is not just a biological process; it is a legal and emotional process, too. At Brinkley Law Firm, LLC, we are sensitive to the emotional issues involved in the journey to parenthood, and we help you navigate the legal aspects of the process with compassion, care, and clarity. We represent not only intended parents, but egg donors, embryo donors, and surrogates using in vitro fertilization (IVF).
With offices in Charleston and Greenville, our family law firm concentrates its practice exclusively on South Carolina family law. Our experienced attorneys represent clients in a range of family formation matters such as surrogacy, egg/sperm/embryo donation and even adoption. Our dedicated focus has allowed us to develop a depth of experience in this area that we apply to help you move into the next chapter of your family life with confidence.
There may be multiple parties involved in the process of bringing a family’s dream to fruition through ART. All of those parties deserve to be treated with dignity and to have their legal rights protected. Whether you are an intended parent, a donor, or a surrogate, you need to be represented by a knowledgeable attorney whose role is to answer your questions, explain your rights, and protect you...
There may be multiple parties involved in the process of bringing a family’s dream to fruition through ART. All of those parties deserve to be treated with dignity and to have their legal rights protected. Whether you are an intended parent, a donor, or a surrogate, you need to be represented by a knowledgeable attorney whose role is to answer your questions, explain your rights, and protect your interests throughout the process.
Assisted reproductive technology exists at the intersection of medicine and the law, both of which are constantly evolving. The law often struggles to keep pace with medical and technological developments, and there are not always clear legal answers to issues that arise. That’s why it is so critical to work with a law firm for which ART law makes up a substantial portion of its practice. Law firms that do not regularly represent intended parents or other parties to ART may not have the knowledge or experience to adequately advise their clients.
Just as every family is unique, every family law firm is as well. Your choice of firm to represent you in your South Carolina family law matter will deeply impact the outcome of your case, and your experience of the legal process. Here are the reasons clients chose to work with Brinkley Law Firm, LLC.
At Brinkley Law Firm, family formation, including ART and adoption, is a major part of our law practice. Our founder, Stephanie M. Brinkley, is the immediate past Chair of the American Bar Association's Assisted Reproduction Committee and a Fellow with the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys. Therefore, we stay up to date with the latest medical and legal developments so that we can better anticipate and meet our clients’ needs. For over a decade, we have represented clients in a wide range of legal matters related to ART, including: Providing clear counsel regarding their ART options and the legal implications of those options so that they can make informed decisions. Helping clients anticipate and plan for issues that could arise in an ART relationship, such as a pregnancy with multiples or the development of a medical issue for a surrogate or baby Preparing thorough, enforceable contracts for surrogacy relationships, embryo donation, and gamete (egg and sperm) donation Reviewing agreements and documentation from fertility clinics and other agencies with clients to ensure they fully understand their rights and responsibilities under any contract Establishing parentage through parentage orders intended parents working with a surrogate Advising clients through negotiation of prenuptial agreements or divorce in situations where the couple has (or anticipates having) frozen sperm, eggs, or embryos Dispute resolution regarding parental rights or other issues in ART Brinkley Law Firm works with intended parents of all genders, sexual orientations, and relationship statuses. We help families who live in South Carolina and those who reside outside the state or even the country whose journey brings them to South Carolina. We know that every family is different, and our legal guidance is tailored for your family’s unique needs and circumstances.
Ms Burke was helpful through our process. We got pre nuptials drafted up, and despite the busy holiday season everything got done very well with little to no revisions.
Wonderful !
Since founding Brinkley Law Firm in 2011, attorney Stephanie Brinkley has helped families grow and expand by navigating them through the legal challenges surrounding Assisted Reproduction Technology (ART) and Adoption. As an attorney who focuses on family building options, Ms. Brinkley stays informed of the cutting-edge procedures of advanced medical science, as well as ever-evolving laws regarding egg, embryo and sperm donation; surrogacy; adoption; and family law. With greater frequency, Stephanie is consulted to advise families transitioning divorce after creating children through third party reproduction. Parental disputes arising from genetic relationships (or lack thereof), misapplication of medical consent forms, and ownership rights of unused embryos are rising among divorce litigants. Married to a former Air Force Officer and Virginia Military Institute Alum, Ms. Brinkley is aware of the unique challenges for civilian and military families in transition. When clients pursue divorce, or any litigation directly affecting the family, Ms. Brinkley remains passionate about promoting family values and the interests of children. She advocates for her clients while being mindful of the impact of litigation upon children. Ms. Brinkley applies a holistic approach to help her family formation and divorce clients move forward, making the best choices now and in the future. A frequent guest speaker, Ms. Brinkley has lectured at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York City, as well as in South Carolina, where she has presented before local and state bar associations on the complexities of third-party reproduction and family law. She has been featured on television news programs on family law issues, and her advice and legal expertise is often sought from litigants and attorneys alike. She is also the co-author of Developing a Successful Assisted Reproduction Technology Law Practice, written with colleague Richard B. Vaughn, which is published by the American Bar Association. In 2019, Brinkley Law Firm was expanded to include Collaborative Divorce Law, a non-litigious avenue for parties to dissolve a marriage and address collateral issues with no court dates, a predictable time table, and reduced legal fees. While the parties work in a “team approach” with their attorneys and each other, they are able to control the timetable, influence the outcome best for their family, and avoid secondary damage to their minor children.
Licensed in Texas and South Carolina, Melizza Gonzalez earned her Juris Doctor from Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston, Texas. During law school, Melizza served as Executive Editor of the Law Journal and President of the Christian Legal Society, demonstrating both leadership and commitment to service. Attorney Melizza Gonzalez is a dedicated and compassionate Family and Fertility Law attorney with a strong commitment to guiding individuals through some of life’s most challenging transitions. Fluent in both English and Spanish, she ensures her clients feel heard, understood, and empowered – no matter their language or background. Consequently, her bilingual skills have proven invaluable in serving diverse communities, ensuring that every client receives the clarity and confidence they need to navigate the legal system. Before attending law school, Melizza worked as a paralegal for over 12 years, bringing a wealth of legal experience to our practice. Her background includes work in municipal law at a private firm, family law at the San Bernardino County Self-Help Center, education law at the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Office of General Counsel, and bankruptcy law at a private firm. She is also a Certified E-Discovery Specialist, with extensive experience supporting public agencies in both California and Texas. Since joining Brinkley Law Firm, Attorney Gonzalez has honed her skills in the areas of divorce, alimony, child-related issues such as child support and parenting rights, as well as family building options such as adoption, surrogacy, and embryo donation. As a professional working mother with two children, Melizza appreciates the joy of motherhood and understands the stressors placed on family life. Therefore, she brings compassion and empathy, while always putting the needs of the client first. Whether in or out of the courtroom, Attorney Gonzalez is a passionate advocate and a trusted guide through the often-difficult facets of family life. She offers personalized legal strategies rooted in integrity, advocacy, and a rational approach. Originally from Chino, California, Melizza now resides in Greenville, South Carolina with her family. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, painting, traveling, cheering on the Yankees, and spending time with her two children, who keep her busy with school and sports activities.
Kathleen Stringer is an associate attorney at Brinkley Law Firm, LLC, in Charleston, South Carolina, where she focuses her practice on family law and fertility law. She represents clients in a wide range of matters including divorce, military divorce, child custody and visitation, child support, alimony, adoption, and assisted reproduction. Kathleen brings a compassionate, detail-oriented, and client-centered approach to every case, guiding individuals and families through some of life’s most pivotal transitions. Before joining Brinkley Law Firm, Kathleen served as a law clerk to the Ninth Circuit Family Court of South Carolina. During her two-year clerkship, she worked closely with family court judges on complex divorce, custody, and family-building cases. This invaluable experience gave her unique insight into the inner workings of the court and a deep appreciation for the emotional and procedural challenges faced by litigants. After witnessing firsthand the ups and downs families experience in court, she was inspired to become an advocate—to help clients not only achieve the best legal outcome but also navigate the process with clarity and confidence. Kathleen is especially passionate about the evolving legal landscape of family formation and reproductive rights. She provides personalized legal guidance that aligns with each client’s goals, values, and circumstances—whether they are building a family through adoption or assisted reproduction, or restructuring their lives through divorce or custody proceedings. Kathleen earned her J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law, where she participated in a clinic that supported survivors of domestic violence. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Writing Pedagogy from Clemson University (Go Tigers!). A native of Lexington, South Carolina, she is proud to serve families across the Lowcountry. When she’s not practicing law, Kathleen enjoys reading, traveling, relaxing with her family, and spending time with her dog.
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