ACARAL Member Directory

Sara Clay

Sara Clay, ACARAL Member

Georgia

Sara Clay obtained her undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University, cum laude, and then went on to attend law school at the University of Georgia where she received her Juris Doctorate in 1990. Following graduation, Sara became a licensed attorney and has been now for over 23 years serving as a specialist in Assisted Reproductive Technology Law for the past 10. Since establishing her current practice in 2003, Sara has become a recognizable name in the arena of Assisted Reproductive Technology Law. Sara has served on national and statewide legal forums and committees, while also speaking as a guest lecturer at national and statewide conferences. Furthermore, Sara has testified before Senate Subcommittees regarding pending legislation and helped author the legislation known as the Georgia Option of Adoption of Embryos Code.

Sara’s practice is devoted to representing the legal interests and needs of prospective parent(s) who desire to begin or expand their family through surrogacy and assisted reproductive technology while offering a hands-on, supportive approach, aimed at meeting her client’s emotional and legal needs.    Gained through her experiences as an attorney in this area of practice, Sara Clay understands the emotions, fears, frustrations, and financial demands that accompany a decision to pursue assisted reproductive methods, while her role as a parent allows her the connection of understanding the desires of prospective parent(s) in wanting to become a parent.  In addition to simplifying the process for her clients, Sara also seeks to relieve the prospective parents’ fears and concerns by remaining accessible, eager to listen and by answering any and all of her clients’ questions. The legal services provided include the review and preparation of contractual arrangements, the establishment of parentage in the former prospective parent(s) to the child or children to be born, the obtaining of apostille stamps and expedited birth certificates and passports when necessary, generally for international clientele. Additionally, Sara has gained through experiences the knowledge and expertise of handling high-profile matters, which are extremely sensitive and private due to the nature of those clients, in a fashion in which the Courts of Georgia and the parties privileged to such confidential information have found to be innovative and successful.

Sara currently serves as Georgia counsel for prospective individual parents, a variety of prospective parents who are couples (regardless of the nature of their relationship), surrogacy agencies, and law firms throughout all regions within the nation while continuously welcoming all interested parties as their Georgia contact and/or representative.  Reaching beyond the State of Georgia, Sara has represented clientele throughout the world in countries, including Australia, China, France, Guatemala, India, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Republic of Ireland, Spain, Switzerland, throughout the United Kingdom and the United States of America.  Within the state of Georgia, Sara works with notable medical providers such as Atlanta Center for Reproductive Medicine, Georgia Reproductive Specialists, Reproductive Biology Associates, Emory University and Gyn Fertility Specialists along with their patients to provide legal representation, advise, and information through direct communication or through group speeches with the associated medical practitioners.

Sara is an active member of statewide organizations such as the Georgia State Bar Association and the Cobb Bar Association along with national organizations such as RESOLVE, The American College of Assisted Reproduction and Adoption Lawyers (ACARAL), the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the National Association of Professional Women and Martindale-Hubbell where she maintains the highest level of ranking (AV) available to an attorney.

Sara has five children while being married to her husband, Chuck Clay, who is a representative of the Professional Group of Infertility Specialists and serves as the organization’s lobbyist working to prevent potential damaging legislation which could result in a negative impact on the rights and needs of those who suffer from infertility.  Additionally, Sara continues to support her community through her involvement and support to many civic and charitable organizations including Reconnecting Families, Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), Safepath Children’s Advocacy, American Cancer Society and Leadership Cobb.

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