Adoption Network Law Center Lawsuit: What Happened and How It Ended

The 2013 lawsuit filed by the Illinois Attorney General against Adoption Network Law Center ended in July 2014 with a consent decree and no admission of liability. Adoption Network continues to work with adoptive families in Illinois today, and expectant mothers in Illinois are referred to licensed Illinois adoption professionals. This page explains what the case was about, how it was resolved, and how Adoption Network is structured now. It also covers an older matter in Orange County, California, that sometimes comes up in the same searches.

We are giving you the facts as plainly as we can. We are not going to relitigate events from 13 or 20 years ago, and we are not going to pretend they did not happen.

The 2013 Illinois Lawsuit

What it was. In October 2013, the Illinois Attorney General filed suit against Adoption Network Law Center (ANLC), the organization that operated the Adoption Network brand at the time. The state challenged ANLC’s ability to work with Illinois birth mothers. NPR covered the filing, and the story was picked up by other outlets.

The context. At the time, ANLC was one of the largest adoption service providers in the country, creating substantially more adoption opportunities involving Illinois birth mothers than many local agencies. An Illinois adoption agency raised concerns about ANLC’s activity in the state, and the Attorney General’s office followed. As the largest and most visible provider in the space, ANLC was the first to be challenged when questions were raised about how out-of-state adoption services operated in Illinois.

ANLC’s position. ANLC’s defense was grounded in constitutional principles, including an individual’s right to retain legal counsel of her choosing, regardless of which state she lives in.

How it ended. The case was resolved in July 2014 by a consent decree, with no admission of liability or fault. The ABA Journal reported the resolution. Under the terms, expectant mothers in Illinois are referred to licensed Illinois adoption professionals, and Adoption Network continues to work with adoptive families in Illinois, as it does today.

Who was involved. These events took place under Adoption Network Law Center as it was then organized and led, a different legal organization from the entity operating under the Adoption Network brand today.

The Orange County District Attorney Matter

What it was. More than 20 years ago, the Orange County District Attorney brought an action against the organization then operating under the Adoption Network name. At that time, adoption services were supervised by Carol Gindi, a pioneer in the adoption field who was highly regarded by adoption professionals throughout the country. Under her leadership the organization became one of the largest in its field, at times creating as many as 400 adoptions a year.

How it ended. The matter was settled. The settlement amount was a small fraction of the anticipated cost of defending the case, and the settlement did not constitute an admission of wrongdoing.

Who was involved. Carol Gindi had not been involved in Adoption Network’s operations for many years before her passing. The leadership, legal entity, and operating structure from that period no longer exist.

What Is Different Today

Over more than 30 years, the Adoption Network brand has been used by different legal entities and attorneys, including entities operating under the name Adoption Network Law Center. Today’s Adoption Network is not the same legal or operational organization that existed 10 or 20 years ago. It operates under a different structure, with different legal oversight, procedures, and compliance practices.

Today, Adoption Network’s adoption-related services are supervised by licensed California attorneys, with services conducted in California under the applicable legal framework. Adoption Network is aligned with a California-licensed adoption agency to address California Department of Social Services requirements. California has enacted additional restrictions on unlicensed adoption intermediaries, and our legal structure and licensed-agency relationship were developed to meet them.

Adoptions are finalized by licensed attorneys and licensed agencies in the state where the adoption takes place, in compliance with that state’s laws. Read more about why families and expectant mothers choose Adoption Network and meet the team.

What This Means If You Are Considering Adoption

Two legal matters in 30 years, both resolved, both under organizations and leadership that no longer exist. That is the record. We are not asking you to ignore it. We are asking you to weigh it alongside the more than 6,000 completed adoptions the Adoption Network brand has been associated with, our Better Business Bureau accreditation since 1996, and a conversation with us.

If you have read complaints as well, our complaints page covers what they were about, including what happens to fees when an adoption opportunity falls through and our response to the 2021 TIME magazine article.

Questions People Ask

How did the Illinois lawsuit end?

It ended in July 2014 with a consent decree and no admission of liability or fault.

Is Adoption Network licensed?

Adoption Network is not an adoption agency or an adoption facilitator. Its adoption-related services are supervised by licensed California attorneys, and it is aligned with a California-licensed adoption agency. Adoptions are finalized by licensed attorneys and agencies in the state where the adoption occurs.

Can I work with Adoption Network if I live in Illinois?

Adoptive parents in Illinois can and do. Expectant mothers in Illinois are referred to licensed Illinois adoption professionals.

Does Adoption Network guarantee an adoption?

No. Adoption Network does not sell babies or guarantee that a family will adopt a child. It provides professional adoption-related services to help prospective adoptive parents pursue adoption opportunities.

Who do I talk to if I have a concern?

Send it through our contact form and it will be reviewed directly by Adoption Network’s team. Current and former birth parents and adoptive parents are welcome to reach out.

Ask Us Directly

If you are an expectant mother or a hopeful adoptive family and this page raised questions, ask them. Request free information and an adoption advisor will follow up with you. There is no cost and no obligation.

Adoption Network is not an adoption agency or adoption facilitator. Adoption Network’s adoption services are supervised by licensed attorneys, and it works in coordination with licensed adoption attorneys and licensed adoption agencies throughout the United States, in compliance with the adoption-related laws of each state in which an adoption is finalized.