We are thrilled to announce that Yekaterina (Kate) Trambitskaya, Esq., Spence-Chapin General Counsel, was recently accepted into the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. The American Academy of Adoption Attorneys is a national association of approximately 340 attorneys who practice, or have otherwise distinguished themselves, in the field of adoption law. The Academy’s work includes promoting the reform of adoption laws and disseminating information on ethical adoption practices.
Kate has been an attorney practicing law in the fields of child welfare and adoption since 2006. Kate has advocated for children for nearly seven years in her work in the litigation unit of the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), prosecuting child abuse and neglect cases. In her one year here at Spence-Chapin, Kate has worked on the many complex issues of today’s adoption landscape: birth father rights, Post Adoption Contract Agreements (PACA’s) for domestic adoptions, Hague requirements for international adoptions and adult adoptee rights to access unsealed records.
Around the office, our running joke is that on paper Kate is a lawyer, but in her heart she is a social worker like the rest of us! The passion, determination, and commitment that Kate has displayed toward every birth family, adoptive family, and child who passes through our doors is a testament to the very notion that every child deserves a family, and every family deserves the right to make the best decisions for their child.
When asked why it was important to her that she be accepted into the Academy, Kate told us, “The most useful legal and ethical feedback, advice, and guidance has always come from the AAAA member attorneys. They have always been eager to teach and always available to assist me in our work. I am hoping to further expand my knowledge and understanding of our field, learn from the most experienced adoption attorneys in this country, and help Spence-Chapin contribute to the next generation of adoption reforms and ethical practice.”
Please join us in congratulating Kate on this terrific achievement. We look forward to working even closer with our friends in the Academy, and continuing to provide Academy members’ clients with thorough, high quality adoption services to support every member of the adoption triad. From birth parent counseling, adoptive parent preparation, training and home studies, to post-placement services that include adult adoptee counseling, support groups and search & reunion guidance, we are poised to serve our adoption community better, together.