our mission
To provide a superior level of service and sense of calm throughout our representation of you, our client, and be a trusted sounding board and voice when needed.
our impact
40+
The Largest Legal practice dedicated to assisted reproductive technology
With eight attorneys on staff and Of Counsel attorneys across the country, IRLG is the largest law firm dedicated to the assisted reproductive field.
20+
Years Serving communities
Our firm began out of our own personal desires to have children.
28k+
NUMBER OF ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY CASES SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED
Our services span the ART field, from donor agreements to parental establishment.
9
Languages Spoken
We take some of the guess work out of the process with attorneys on staff that speak Catalan, English, French, German, Italian, Khmer, Portuguese, Spanish, and American Sign Language.
your team
Eliseo Arebalos, Managing Attorney
Eliseo began his work in the assisted reproduction technology field in 2003, holding a financial analyst position at a Los Angeles-based surrogacy agency. Eliseo earned dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in International Relations and Spanish, with a minor in French and his legal experience spans multiple practice areas. He is a licensed attorney in a number of states and has argued constitutional matters in several jurisdictions. A Texas native, Eliseo has resided in Los Angeles since 1998.
Licenses | Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania
Tennessee, Texas, Washington
Languages |English, French, Italian,
Portuguese, and Spanish
Melissa Hong, Associate
After experiencing setbacks before having her son, Melissa gained an appreciation and understanding for how significant these journeys are for both intended parents and surrogates. Prior to IRLG, Melissa worked for another international law firm specializing in surrogacy and estate planning. Melissa also supported local governments with their homelessness policy while working at a national non-profit and has spent time working and living in China and Cambodia.
Melissa holds a JD and MBA from the University of San Francisco and a BA from the University of California Los Angeles. She speaks Khmer and beginning Mandarin, and in her free time she enjoys exploring new places with her husband and son. She is a Bay Area native, currently living in sunny San Diego.
License | California
Languages | English, Khmer
Jessica Junyent, senior associate
Jessica, born and raised in Spain, graduated with honors from the University of Barcelona Faculty of Law. She is fluent in English, Italian, French, Catalan, and Spanish, with strong comprehension of Portuguese. Her educational background includes a master's degree in Spiritual Psychology from a U.S. institution, adding a unique dimension to her legal approach.
Before joining IRLG, Jessica served as VP of International Development at a leading U.S. surrogacy agency, where she established key markets across Europe, Canada, and Latin America. Her expertise in building strategic partnerships with premier IVF clinics and legal firms worldwide has provided clients with comprehensive program options tailored to their needs.
Jessica's legal foundation was established during her time as a civil litigator at Piqué Abogados, one of Spain's most respected law firms. There, she handled complex civil litigation matters, represented clients in court proceedings, and developed expertise in Spanish civil law. Her practice focused on contract disputes, liability claims, and family law matters, providing her with a robust background in both litigation strategy and client advocacy.
License | Spain
Languages | Catalan, English, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish
Catherine B. McGowan, Senior Associate
Catherine holds a French Maîtrise in Legal and Economic Sciences. Her background is in international business counseling. Prior to joining IRLG, she worked with the law office Fredricks & von der Horst in Los Angeles, where she helped European clients enter the US market and coordinated cross-border probate and estate matters. With Deloitte & Touche in Germany, she guided her clients from Asia, Europe and the US through fiscal audits and VAT matters.
Catherine grew up bilingual French and German. She entered a bi-national study program of German and French Law with venues in both Germany and France. She further earned a Master’s Degree in German and Foreign Law by writing a comparative thesis on legal child protection in Germany and France. Catherine gained her first professional experiences, among others, with the French Chamber of Commerce in China and the German Embassy in Uruguay. She is fluent in German, French, and English.
Licenses | California, Germany
Languages | English, French, German
Rachael J. Sandifer, Senior Associate
As a San Diego native, Rachael received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Public Administration from San Diego State University and Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law. In law school, Rachael obtained a Concentration in Child, Family & Elder Law and co-founded the organization, Children’s Advocacy Law Society. During law school, Rachael served as an Intern for San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program, assisting in high conflict child custody, visitation and domestic violence cases. Before joining our team, Rachael worked for a renowned firm that specializes in family law and also worked for a civil litigation firm. Rachael previously served as a Committee Chair for the American Bar Association, Section of Family Law.
License | California
Languages | English, American Sign Language