Levin Honors Ann Arbor Woman as an “Angel in Adoption”

WASHINGTON – Monica Farris Linkner of Ann Arbor has spent much of her legal career and free time working on adoption issues. An adoptive parent and past president of the Family Tree, an adoption support and advocacy group, Ms. Linkner is a member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys and was closely involved in the process of adoption law reform in Michigan in the early 1990s. For her commendable efforts in the area of adoption Ms. Linkner has been nominated by Senator Carl Levin D, Mich., as an “Angel in Adoption.”

Monica Farris Linkner specializes in adoption law in her practice at Nichols, Sacks, Slank, Sendelbach & Buiteweg in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She authored the chapters on adoption in the 1997 book, Michigan Family Law & Practice, and assists each year in updating the adoption section of the Michigan Family Law Benchbook. In 1999, Ms. Linkner spoke at the first national conference on ethics and adoption sponsored by the Evan B. Donaldson Institute. As part of her adoption advocacy, she has testified before the Michigan legislature, submitted amicus curiae briefs to the courts, written several articles, and spoken widely on adoption issues to lawyers, judges, hospital personnel, mental health professionals and community groups.

“Monica Linkner is a wonderful example of an ‘Angel in Adoption’,” Sen. Levin said. “Through her legal work and advocacy she has had a broad and positive impact on the lives of adoptive families throughout Michigan. This award is only a small measure of thanks for her years of service.”

Levin is a founding member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, a bipartisan, bicameral caucus initially created in the mid 1980s. In 1999, the caucus was renamed the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) and has subsequently increased its membership to 196 members of Congress. Three Michigan representatives also nominated constituents for an “Angels in Adoption” award. “I want to thank all of Michigan’s ‘Angels in Adoption’ for their tremendous efforts to improve the lives of children,” said Levin.

According to their mission statement, CCAI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to raising awareness about the needs of tens of thousands of foster children in this country and the millions of orphans around the world in need of permanent, safe and loving homes, and eliminating the barriers that hinder these children from realizing their basic need of a family.

CCAI is sponsoring the 2006 Angels in Adoption Gala in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, September 20, where 174 individuals will be recognized for their work to improve the lives of children through adoption and foster care. Other Michigan residents receiving an “Angel in Adoption” award include:

• Jan and Harold Woods. Nominated by Rep. Vernon Ehlers, D- Grand Rapids

• Tyler Wagenmaker. Nominated by Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R- Holland

• Pam and Randy Streu. Nominated by Rep. Dave Camp, R- Midland