Judge Jennifer S. Fairfax began her career as a judicial law clerk in 1997 and then entered private practice in Montgomery County focused in the area of Family Law. Her practice was primarily in the Circuit Courts across the State of Maryland. She handled complex family law cases involving divorce, custody, child support, third party custody, parentage, domestic violence, alimony and marital property. She became a trained mediator and collaborative attorney and assisted numerous clients in creative resolutions before launching her law firm that focused on family building.
During her over 25 years of experience Jennifer handled international and domestic adoption and assisted reproductive technology cases. Her law firm focused on family formation through adoption, surrogacy and alternative family building options. Ms. Fairfax authored the preeminent book on adoption law, and has worked with lawmakers on advancing legislation related to both adoption and assisted reproduction for over a decade before being appointed to the bench. Ms. Fairfax is a Fellow of the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys where she served as both a Trustee and Vice President.
During her career she lectured for law schools along the east coast on the adoption law and process, contract drafting and negotiation and family building. Jennifer has published extensively in this field for local, state and national publications. She has edited bench books, practitioner guides and contributed to committees that advance changes in rules and statutes in Maryland. Ms. Fairfax received her J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law and was licensed in Maryland, Virginia and District of Columbia before taking the bench.
Jennifer is a “Bar Leader” for the Bar Association of Montgomery County and has received numerous awards and recognitions throughout her career including:
American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, Fellow of Distinction, 2023
American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, President’s Award, 2016
District of Columbia Super Lawyers, since 2015
Maryland Bar Foundation, Excellence in Leadership, 2014
Maryland Super Lawyers, since 2014
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