Glaser Weil Attorneys Handle Case At Center of Possible New Sperm Donor Rights

Media outlets are reporting on a new bill making its way through the state Legislature that may change sperm donors' rights - legislation reportedly spurred by a child-custody dispute in which Glaser Weil attorneys represented the mother.

The case involved "The Lost Boys" actor Jason Patric's attempts to gain partial custody of the now 3-year-old boy his on-again, off-again girlfriend, Danielle Schreiber, conceived through artificial insemination.

Glaser Weil Partner Fred Heather, who represented Ms. Schreiber, told the Los Angeles Times that the bill would have a negative affect on many women if passed.

“What you will have is tremendous litigation,” Mr. Heather said. “It will cause women to not allow any contact between the sperm donor and the child. In many cases, when they use a known donor it’s because they want the child to be able to have some relationship.”

In remarks published by ABC News, Mr. Heather said that Ms. Schreiber won the parentage case, but Mr. Patric has appealed.  "We won the argument that she is the sole legal parent of the child and, therefore, as a result of that the court does not have jurisdiction to reward custody."

Further Reading:

"Jason Patric custody case inspires sperm-donor-rights legislation" (Los Angeles Times)

"Jason Patric Sperm Donor Bill Draws Criticism" (ABC News)