Shook Helps Children Find Forever Homes During National Adoption Day

Shook Partner Kirk Marty and paralegal Kathy Hoffman helped seven Kansas children find forever homes with six families during this year’s National Adoption Day, which is typically held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Judges Kathleen Sloan and Erica Schoenig, from the Tenth Judicial District in Kansas, presided over the adoption hearings – the final step in the adoption process – at the new Johnson County Courthouse in Olathe, Kansas. 

“Participating in National Adoption Day and helping to unite these children with loving parents is one of my favorite activities,” said Marty. “It’s gratifying to see firsthand how practicing law can help make such a significant positive impact in the lives of others.” 

Shook has a long history with its commitment to pro bono adoptions. Retired Partner Gene Balloun was integral in helping Shook start the Kansas Foster and Adoptive Children Scholarship Fund and is still active today. In 2018, the firm reached an important milestone as part of its commitment to serve children and families. The program reached $1 million in scholarships awarded to foster children since the program began in 2001.The program uses state-paid fees – from pro bono adoption cases – to fund the scholarship program. The firm has completed 1,678 Kansas adoption cases, helping hundreds of families complete the legal process of finding forever homes for deserving families.