Flicker, Kerin, Kruger & Bissada LLP
Alice A. Shaw (Purdy) is a Certified Family Law Specialist (certified by the CA State Bar Board of Legal Specialization) and a Principal of the firm. Ms. Shaw has a proven track record of successfully settling even the most complex and contentious family law cases in her nearly 15 years of practice. Ms. Shaw’s approach is based on detailed legal analysis and strategic thinking to effectively resolve matters without litigation where possible and at trial when necessary. Her practice includes all aspects of family law matters, from high-asset property division to straightforward matters, property characterization, equity compensation, business interests, child and spousal support, complex custody issues, domestic violence, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, and post-judgment matters. Partnering with trusted experts, including forensic accountants, corporate counsel, criminal defense counsel, estate planning attorneys and real estate attorneys when needed, gives Ms. Shaw an advantage in litigation as well as laying the groundwork for creative settlement solutions and favorable long-term outcomes. Ms. Shaw is highly experienced in handling custody matters including relocations, refuse-resist dynamic, high conflict relationships, children with special needs, and other cases that involve custody evaluations and mental health professionals.
Ms. Shaw is skilled in a variety of representation forms including consulting for mediation, attorney negotiated settlement, proceedings before private judges, and litigation. When settlement is not an option, Ms. Shaw employs her civil litigation background to public and private trial proceedings. Since joining the firm in 2017, Ms. Shaw has honed her practice to include highly sensitive confidential matters, strategic planning for custom enforceable marital agreements, and litigation involving contested marital agreements.
Ms. Shaw has a breadth of experience with the Court in Santa Clara, San Mateo, and San Francisco counties, and she has been growing her practice in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties since 2019. Ms. Shaw is a proud Santa Cruz local that offers her clients the support staff and bandwidth of a larger firm with the approachability of her personal representation. Ms. Shaw is currently active in a historic statewide bar organization, serving on the Executive Board of California Women Lawyers, and previously serving as the 2021 President of the Queen’s Bench Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area. During her Presidency, Ms. Shaw led the organization’s efforts to host legal panels with judicial presenters leading their field in court assisted settlement.
Professional Involvement
Ms. Shaw is a member of the State Bar of California, as well as the Santa Cruz County, Santa Clara County, and San Mateo County Bar Associations. She is also a member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, an international association of professionals in the family court arena dedicated to the resolution of family conflict. Serving on the Executive Board of California Women Lawyers provides Ms. Shaw valuable professional connections throughout the state and a role in the collective voice concerning policy that impacts the legal community and the advancement of women.
Ms. Shaw also volunteers in San Mateo County assisting self-represented litigants with status conferences to bring their cases to an efficient conclusion. Ms. Shaw has volunteered her time handling pro bono cases throughout the Bay Area with Bay Area Legal Aid and San Francisco Bar Association’s Justice and Diversity Center.
Ms. Shaw was the Centennial (100th) Year President of Queen’s Bench Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area in 2021. She is proud to continue the legacy of past Queen’s Bench presidents, several of whom have gone on to become judges and dignitaries in the community.
Ms. Shaw presented legal updates in the areas of custody and domestic violence to the Santa Clara County Psychological Association in 2018.
Education
Ms. Shaw earned her Juris Doctor from Golden Gate University. During law school, Ms. Shaw earned her Certificate of Specialization with Distinction in Environmental Law, served on the Moot Court Board, and received the CALI Award for Excellence in Water Law.
Ms. Shaw earned her B.S. in Conservation and Resource Studies from the University of California, Berkeley with honors where she participated in the Environmental Science Honors Research Program. She also earned her B.A. in English and pioneered a program to teach at risk youth.
Awards
Ms. Shaw was named a Super Lawyers® Northern California Super Lawyer in 2025 and previously a Rising Star each year since 2019. Super Lawyers® evaluates attorneys based on twelve factors including peer recognition, professional achievements and community service. Super Lawyers® evaluates attorneys on twelve factors including peer recognition, professional achievements, and community service. Rising Star is awarded to the top 2.5% of attorneys under 40 years old or in practice for less than 10 years. The Super Lawyer® distinction is reserved for the top 5% of attorneys in Northern California. Ms. Shaw has also received other top rankings and endorsements from her peers, along with testimonials and referrals from her satisfied clients. The Daily Journal named Ms. Shaw one of the 2025 Top Family Lawyers in California.
Honored for her outstanding professionalism and service, Ms. Shaw received the Queen’s Bench Service Award in 2019. She was also recognized as a Top 100 Family Law Attorney from the American Academy of Attorneys and acknowledged by Lawyers of Distinction.
Community Involvement
Ms. Shaw is dedicated to giving back to the community through youth mentorship and education. Her service has included volunteering her time to mentor young women in Juvenile Hall. She also served on the Color of Justice Committee, organized by the National Association of Women Judges and California Women Lawyers from 2016 through 2019, volunteering to further the mission of encouraging young minority and women students to consider a career in law or the judiciary.
Ms. Shaw enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, exploring the beaches, hiking in Santa Cruz, and visiting with family and friends.
MENLO PARK OFFICE
545 Middlefield Road, Suite 175,
Menlo Park, CA 94025
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3130 Crow Canyon Place
Suite 405 San Ramon, CA 94583