As we begin 2021, we want to let you know some statistics about children in Alabama. The state Department of Human Resources reports that there are currently more than 6345 children in foster care. Can you believe that? More than 6,000! However, there are only 2294 foster homes. Of course, foster families can care for more than one child. But, on average, children spend more than 618 days in foster care. That’s far too long.
Do you know a mom or dad whose child is in foster care? Please, please love and support them. Offer them encouragement, rides to their appointments, advice on how to comply with DHR requirements, and never-ending prayers. Their children need them desperately.
On the other side of the coin, are you ready to open your home to a foster child? If not that’s okay. Do you know a foster family? (If not, ask your church or local DHR to help you get in touch.) Find a way to help them. Take them a meal. Set up a play date in the park with your kids. Offer to babysit so foster mom and dad can have a date night. Ask the kids’ sizes and buy each a new outfit for school. Give the family a board game or play dough for family activities. Pray for them and with them every day and let them know you want to support them.
There are more encouraging, and startling statistics. Did you know that 814 children were adopted in Alabama in 2020? That’s outstanding news. Eight hundred fourteen children got forever families. How wanted and loved they must finally feel! May God’s blessings be poured out on all.
Do you know that, right now, in January 2021, there are already more than 461 children in need of adoption? And those are just the ones the State knows about. There are many more parents in the state who need help from couples willing to partner with them through adoption to raise their children.
Is adoption right for you? Maybe. Is it right for someone you know? Pray with them through the process. Encourage them. And if you or they have questions, please reach out to us. We’re here to help you. We’re here to help children find the families they need.
-Susan Brown
Susan M. Brown has practiced law since 2003. She joined The Adoption Law firm in 2020. Susan has a heart for children, born and unborn. She is a former President of Alabama Lawyers for Unborn Children, Inc.
Susan is married to Michael Brown. They have two young children, Michael and Maggie. They attend Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Birmingham.
Susan is a member of the Alabama State Bar and is admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and the United States District Courts for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Alabama. Susan is currently a member of the Birmingham Chapter of the Christian Legal Society and of the Federalist Society. She has served as Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Appellate Practice Section of the Alabama State Bar.
Susan began her career at Wallace, Jordan, Ratliff & Brandt, LLC in Birmingham, Alabama. In August 2006, she went to work for Justice Robert Bernard Harwood at the Alabama Supreme Court. When Justice Harwood retired in January 2007, Susan worked as a staff attorney for Presiding Judge William C. Thompson at the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals. In August 2008, Susan returned to the Alabama Supreme Court to work as a staff attorney for Senior Justice Champ Lyons. Upon his retirement, she worked again at Wallace Jordan from January 2011 to December 2020 in the area of appellate litigation and complex legal writing. From 2008 to 2016 Susan also taught an advanced legal writing course at Cumberland School of Law.
Susan received her B.S. in Public Administration, summa cum laude, from Samford University in 1999 and her J.D., magna cum laude, from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in 2003. Susan graduated fourth in her class from Cumberland and is currently a member of Cumberland’s Curia Honoris Society. While in law school, Susan served as Associate Editor of the Cumberland Law Review and President of the Cumberland Chapter of the Christian Legal Society.
Bar Admissions
Alabama, 2003
Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, 2005
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama, 2003
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama, 2003
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Alabama, 2011
Education
Cumberland School of Law, Samford University, Birmingham, AL, J.D., magna cum laude, 2003
Samford University, Birmingham, AL, B.S., Public Administration, summa cum laude, 1999
Professional Affiliations
Alabama State Bar
Birmingham Bar Association
Shelby County Bar Association
Christian Legal Society
Federalist Society or Law and Public Policy
Community Activities
Adjunct Professor, Cumberland School of Law, Samford University, 2008-2016
Chairman, Alabama State Bar Appellate Practice Section, 2019
Vice-Chairman, Alabama State Bar Appellate Practice Section, 2018
Alabama Lawyers for Unborn Children, Inc., President, 2014-2019
Birmingham Bar Association, Scholarship Committee, 2013-present