About Florida Adoption Law Group
Florida Adoption Law Group, P.A. is a group of Attorneys & Adoption Entities who have provided services to biological and adoptive parents collectively in over 3,000 adoptions, as well as providing legal representation to a select group of Florida child-placing agencies. Our staff includes attorneys Jodi Sue Rutstein, M.S.W. J.D and Mary Ann Scherer R.N. J.D., clinical social workers, and legal professionals. Also on staff are adoptive family members, adoptees and some of our former birth mothers, who are all here to support and assist you in making your ideal adoption plan.
Our firm handles all aspects of adoption placement s well as helping parents from all cultural backgrounds and places in society who have chosen adoptive placement. There are many types of adoption plans we can perform to accommodate you from totally open to the totally closed and all areas in between. Whatever your priorities are, there is an Adoption plan just right for you. Careful planning and the proper selection of a professional is key to a successful and beautiful adoption plan.
Although we work with biological and adoptive families throughout the United States, our offices are located in Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and generally our adoptions are finalized in Florida. However, we help biological and adoptive parents throughout the United States and abroad with various aspects of the adoption process.
Whether you are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy or you are hoping to expand your family, we can provide you with an accurate overview of the process, specific information about adoption in Florida, and answer any questions you may have.
Jodi Sue Rutstein M.S.W., J.D.
Jodi Sue Rutstein is an Adoption Attorney and Social Worker as well as the owner of the Florida Adoption Law Group, P.A. with offices in Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Jodi has extensive domestic adoption practice experience and has lectured on adoption and treating birth parents with dignity as well as provided editorial review for adoption resource materials for laypersons and fellow attorneys.
Jodi graduated Cum Laude and with Honors in Sociology from Brandeis University. She received her Masters Degree in Social Work from Columbia University and her Law Degree from Yeshiva University. She is a member of the New York, Connecticut and Florida bars and has helped over 1,000 birth and adoptive families throughout the United States come together to create a meaningful adoption plan. Jodi is a longstanding member of the Florida Adoption Council and board member of Business Advice, Inc. She is a founding member of the Board of Directors of the South Florida Chapter of the Gift of Adoption Fund and served as its President for three years. Jodi is a founding member of the Board of the Directors and current Chief of the Board of Directors of Creative Kids Care, Inc.
A former principle harpist of the Juilliard Pre-College and Chamber Orchestras, Jodi still enjoys music but her passion is helping others through Adoption. She is continually humbled by the unselfish act of love shown by birth parents and feels privileged to serve in the Adoption community. In 2009, Jodi was honored to receive the United States Congressional “Angel in Adoption” Award
Mary ann scherer r.n.j.d.
Mary Ann Scherer is a Board Certified Adoption Attorney and serves as,” Of Counsel” to Florida Adoption Law Group, P.A. with offices in Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Mary Ann has extensive experience in the area of Adoption. She is a Fellow and former Board of Trustees member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. She is also a member of the Florida Adoption Counsel, a group of Adoption Professionals dedicated to the ethical practice of Adoption in the State of Florida. She has handled over 2000 adoptions in her career.
Mary Ann graduated with high honors from the University of Miami and was employed first as a Practical Nurse and then as a Registered nurse for 15 years. Subsequent to this Mary Ann made a decision to pursue a Law Degree and graduated from Nova Southeastern University Law School where she received her J.D. degree. Mary Ann works closely with all staff at Florida Adoption Law Group, P.A. to provide a full range of adoption services to birth and adoptive parents. She is rated “AV” by Martindale-Hubbell, signifying that she is ranked “at the highest level of professional excellence” by the legal community.
Mary Ann was appointed to the inaugural committee in the State of Florida for Adoption Certification, the first in the country, and has helped develop the examination for the Florida Bar as to Adoption Certification. She is Board Certified in Adoption in the State of Florida. She has earned the Congressional honor of “Angel in Adoption” in 2008. Mary Ann loves to fish and snow ski but her heart is in Adoption and finding forever homes for children. She has had the pleasure of working with dedicated and sincere individuals who are able to put a child’s needs before their own and make a plan to do what is in the best interest of that child. For this she is so grateful.