An O’Melveny pro bono team successfully completed a foster care adoption in record time for the non-relative foster parents of 2-year-old Opal. The Dependency Court had terminated parental rights in 2021 because Opal had been exposed to drugs at birth and was found to have related developmental issues. Like many foster parents seeking to adopt at-risk children in their care, the couple faced many roadblocks.

The Alliance for Children’s Rights turned to O'Melveny for legal assistance. In collaboration with pro bono partners, the Alliance for Children’s Rights helps eliminate barriers and provides free legal services for foster families adopting children. O’Melveny immediately filed the necessary pleadings with the court to secure a hearing date and successfully represented the parents in late 2022. Opal was officially adopted the same day. The thrilled parents noted: “We truly appreciate how quickly you've moved with this. We haven't been used to such expediency during the foster/adopt process!”