Meet Rijon Charne | Fertility Attorney & Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rijon Charne and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rijon, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

I decided to start my own law firm, ​specializing in fertility law, as I wanted to focus on areas of fertility I knew could make a difference to future generations to come. After being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, I chose to freeze my eggs before undergoing chemotherapy. This life changing and trying experience shaped my professional career and because of it, I chose to become a fertility attorney. During my egg freezing process, insurance denied my appeal to cover my fertility treatment ​and I would need to pay $15,000 out of pocket to freeze my eggs, even though my fertility may have been compromised by the chemotherapy. I was livid by this fact. I vowed I was going to fight for policy change so insurance companies ​could understand the vital importance of fertility preservation and would start covering fertility treatments.

This led me to want to advocate for my clients’ fertility rights and guide them through one of the most emotional journeys of their lives. I started my own law firm because I wanted the flexibility to not only focus on assisting all clients going through fertility issues, but I also wanted the option to focus on topics like oncofertility (medical field that connects oncology with reproductive health) and affordable fertility options.

Since opening my own fertility law firm, I have had the amazing opportunity to help clients, both within the United States and abroad, through every step of their fertility journey – from egg freezing, finding the right clinic, assisting them in finding the perfect egg, sperm or embryo donor for them, as well as finding a surrogate, if needed. I am also a legal advisor for the Alliance for Fertility Preservation (AFP) which advocates for access to fertility preservation for people who are facing a medical risk to future parenthood. AFP has been able to change legislation in 10 states, requiring insurance companies to cover fertility treatments. Additionally, by having my own firm, I have been able to offer more affordable fertility options by working with highly reputable clinics and agencies in countries like Mexico, Ukraine and Colombia. Cross-border fertility allows people to have the family they dreamed of, at a more affordable price.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I always get asked: “What does a fertility attorney do?” Every day is different – it can be drafting contracts between Intended Parents and their egg/sperm donor and/or a surrogate. It can also consist of assisting clients in finding the clinic or agency for them to start their journey, and sometimes it can consist of ​just being being there to listen to a client who has been struggling with infertility for years and they have lost hope in having a family of their own.

No matter what the job is, I have the opportunity to assist clients in overcoming the legal and emotional hurdles associated with family building and I understand what they are going through first-hand. I am so fortunate that I get to be a counselor and trusted confidant to my clients in their greatest, most vulnerable time of need. The trust that is created between my clients and I is very unique, and is not found in many industries, especially in the legal world. I offer a unique array of services that most attorneys in this space do not. I have grown my practice into a multi-disciplinary full service family law firm specializing in assisted reproduction, adoption, cancer and fertility, cross-border reproductive care, and legislative advocacy.

Fertility law is a very new area of law, so there is not much case law that has been created, unlike business or real estate law which has been around for decades. As a result, I am constantly being challenged with new issues that need resolving. Even though this can be intimidating at times, it is also exhilarating to be creating law and paving the way for future generations. I am very lucky to have unbelievably intelligent colleagues who I can lean on when I need some help. I have learned that if you try and do things alone, you are limited by what you know and that can be a huge disadvantage in being able to grow professionally.

Before starting my own firm, I had a comfortable job, in the sense that I was able to do the work that I love, receive a paycheck every two weeks, and had health insurance. However, I knew I wanted the flexibility to pursue opportunities in the fertility space that could make history. The only way I would be able to do this, was if I started my own firm. At first, being on my own was incredibly daunting. The stability gets taken away, and I knew it was all up to me. Looking back, it was the best career move I ever made. I have been running my own firm for a few years now, and I could not be happier and more proud of what I have accomplished. I get to follow my passions of oncofertility and affordable fertility care, I have started an egg freezing company called MeFirst, to provide affordable egg freezing options so every woman has the opportunity to freeze their eggs, I have testified in the Texas State Capital to get legislation passed for fertility preservation, and I have met incredible, passionate people along the way.

My advice to others is that if you know what your passion is, and you know how to get there, don’t be afraid to jump. At first, it may feel like you’re drowning, but lean on others who have done it before. In the end, being your own boss and getting to wake up every day doing what you love will counteract the fear and difficulties that you had to face to get there, but it is worth it! After being diagnosed with cancer, you really learn you only have one life to live – so make the best of it, and if you fail, you can get back up and do something else. I have lived by my dad’s motto which is “If you don’t try, it is a 100% fail, but if you try, at least you have a 50/50 shot.” Take the shot!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

Los Angeles, LaLaLand, is the epicenter of everything fabulous. From the iconic Hollywood sign, swanky hotels, sceney bars, behind-the-scenes tours around Universal Studios, and eating at restaurants with celebrities.

The first stop on the itinerary would be Elephante in Santa Monica. It is a rooftop bar with the most magnificent views of the ocean, especially during the sunset. The food is great and the drinks are delicious. To see an almost guaranteed celeb siting, I would take them to The Ivy in West Hollywood or the Polo Lounge in Beverly Hills.

For some great happy hours, I would take them to the Waterfront in Venice or the Bungalow. They are beach-bars inside converted homes. There are ping pong tables and the people watching is exactly what you would expect to see in LA – models, actors and a celeb sighting. To see an amazing view of the city at night, I would take them to E.P. & L.P. in West Hollywood. The view is the best in the city!

To burn off all the food and drinks, hiking up Runyon Canon is a must. Of course, California is known for their beaches, so we would head to Malibu or Santa Monica beach to get the California golden tan.

To explore some culture while on the trip, a visit to the Getty museum will take you back in time, and the gardens should not be missed. Another awesome experience is the Griffith Observatory where you will be able to see the iconic Hollywood sign, rolling views, and of course, take a tour through space while sitting inside the gorgeous planetarium.

Last but not least, shopping is a must in Los Angeles. Abbott Kinney in Venice is a mile long strip of the latest fashion, art and food. Don’t forget to stop at Salt & Straw. Lastly, I would visit the Grove on a Sunday and take advantage of the LA Farmer’s Market where you can grab delicious fresh foods and chocolates.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

I want to shout out to the person who changed the trajectory of my professional life- my reproductive endocrinologist, Dr. Terri Woodard, an Associate Professor in the Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Woodard performed my egg freezing process. From the moment I met Dr. Woodard, I knew she was going to impact my life. She is one of those people you meet, and you instantly feel safe and happy, even though you may be undergoing one of the most stressful times of your life. Dr. Woodard and her team made the egg freezing process enjoyable, and it was such a life changing experience for me, that she is the reason I turned away from litigation and pursued fertility law. I wanted to make a difference to other peoples’ lives, the same way she does every day of her career.

Of course, I would not be here without the unconditional support and love of my family. They stood by me through every treatment, accompanied me to every doctor’s appointment, and were my biggest cheerleaders when I told them I was going to pursue fertility law and start my own law firm. They continuously push me to achieve my dreams and goals, and have always instilled in me I can do whatever I set my mind to, no matter how unattainable the goal may feel.

Website: www.sunrayfertility.com

Instagram: sunrayfertility

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rijoncharne/

Other: email: rijon@sunrayfertility.com