OUR ASSOCIATES

Julia Barker
Founder and Director
A Center for Coastal Conceptions

With ten years of professional experience in the field of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), I wanted to make a greater contribution by establishing a caring agency not only dedicated to the needs of couples and individuals now facing the difficult decision of using third party assistance but would take the concept of an infertility agency to the next level of services and standards.

 As the former business operations manager and ART Coordinator with A Center for Children & Family Law, a law firm which exclusively practices in children's law, adoption and infertility law, my background included coordinating the legal and financial aspects of hundreds of ovum donation and surrogacy matters.

Although my own pregnancies posed no problems, I have been deeply affected by my friends, family and clients difficulties with trying to conceive a child. Being vested in my client's goal to conceive has allowed me to experience some of the most tragic of circumstances and the most wonderful rewards.  Having personal involvement with these remarkable people has fueled my desire to help others achieve their dream of becoming a parent.

No matter what the emotions, obstacles, or experiences are, it is my passion and my goal to give personal attention, a positive experience and to hopefully achieve the very best outcome, the gift of a child.

Tisha Harman, Esq.
Co-Founder
A Center for Coastal Conceptions

As people surf the web for help to form their families, the amount of agencies, attorneys, facilitators, and others offering services can be overwhelming.  How do I choose?  What makes one better than another?  Should I choose based on cost?  What do these people know about what they are doing?  Etc etc etc.

I know the questions . . . I have asked them myself.  I’ve been there.  After 10 years of practice working in the area of reproductive/infertility law, I found my own life mirroring my practice.  I’d heard countless stories of infertility, heard the heart ache of people who learn they must use assisted reproductive technology to create their families, and I’d celebrated so many times when I got “the call” from an intended parent or a surrogate that pregnancy had occurred.  I thought I knew what it was all about.

Now, I really do know and I think it makes a difference.  In 2003, after trying for over a year to get pregnant, my doctor said it was time to use assisted reproductive technology.  WOW - me?  The concepts were certainly all very familiar, as were the medical and legal terms.  I’d been drafting agreements for 10 years and thought of myself as one of the core group of attorneys in this area.  I then started with the medications and insemination.  This was followed by IVF where I received my box of medication, syringes, and mixing instructions.  I will never forget the day I spent hours sorting through medications and the syringes, charting what time to do each and being so afraid I’d make a mistake and mess the whole thing up!  I learned to give myself injections and so fully understood the emotional and bodily toll. 

My doctor also suggested I look at donors.  I remember pouring through photos and profiles trying to find someone who was like me. 

What I knew was that I needed support.  This was a tough road.  What I learned is that the people and professionals who were there for me and guided me through the process were invaluable. 

After failed inseminations and IVF my husband and I took a 2 week vacation.  We wanted to just relax and regroup for another go round.  During that time, I had the biggest surprise - I was pregnant!  We’d conceived on our own and now have a beautiful son.  I wouldn’t change any of the process.  My “reward” for all of this?  I have a full understanding of what my clients had experienced and spoken of for years.  The “real life” lesson was invaluable.  I never really said “why me” because I think I know.  I can talk with clients now and when I say “I understand” or when I talk to someone about the shots, or the cost, or the stress I really do know.

Why this business?  Because I think we can do it really well.  My partners and I have worked in this field for 15 years.  Two of us have “been there” AND we understand the legal perspectives.  After working with so many couples who needed us to fill in all the blanks from agencies who didn’t do so, from agreements where there really was no meeting of the minds, we realized there was a NEED for it to be done right.  That’s why we’re here.  Yes, there are other agencies who also do a great job, and if we can’t help you, we’ll refer you to another reputable agency. 

I’m a trial lawyer.  I represent adults and children in all areas of reproductive law and in family law custody matters.  I am often appointed by the courts to represent children.  I have published opinions at the State Court and Supreme Court level.   I am confident as a lawyer and am well respected.  I was voted a “Rising Star” and subsequently voted a “Super Lawyer” by my peers.  My reputation speaks for itself.  When I went to law school, I did so because I wanted to make a difference.  That has remained my goal in every case I touch.  I think I do that.  I’m a dreamer and an optimist - I like that about myself.  Life is about the other lives we touch, the people we encounter and the differences we make.  When it comes to reproductive issues, I understand.  I’ve been there and I know the stressors that are beyond compare to any others you have faced.  I also know that with the right professionals around you, you can get through it and be stronger for having had the experience.   

We wish you the best as you seek to build your family.  We want to get “the call” from you with news that your baby is on the way and we want to be a part of helping you with having your dreams come true.  What better part of life can there be than to help another persons dream come true.