Our Team

Flicker, Kerin, Kruger & Bissada LLP

Alice A. Shaw (Purdy)

Partner

Alice A. Shaw (Purdy) is a Certified Family Law Specialist (certified by the CA State Bar Board of Legal Specialization) and a Partner in the firm. Ms. Shaw has gained a reputation for her enthusiasm for the law, as well as her commitment to make a measurable difference in the lives of those she represents. Ms. Shaw transitioned from environmental law and civil litigation practice to exclusively family law in 2013, after realizing her passion for family law as a volunteer attorney for victims of domestic violence in restraining order and child custody matters. Her practice includes all aspects of family law matters, including high-asset property division, property characterization, child and spousal support, complex custody issues, domestic violence, prenuptial agreements, and post-judgment matters. Ms. Shaw is highly experienced in handling difficult custody matters including relocations, refuse-resist dynamic, high conflict relationships, children with special needs, and other matters that involve custody evaluations and mental health professionals. She is skilled in a variety of representation forms including consulting for mediation, proceedings before private judges, attorney negotiated settlement and litigation.

During her time with the firm, Ms. Shaw has honed her practice to include highly sensitive confidential matters involving significant family wealth, collaboration with family offices, celebrity status clients and others who desire a private process, minimal public court presence, and confidentially maintained documents.

Ms. Shaw has a breadth of experience with the Court in San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, and she is growing her practice in Santa Cruz County, where she resides with her family. Ms. Shaw is also active in the San Francisco legal community and was the 2021 Queen’s Bench Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area President. During her Presidency, Ms. Shaw led the organization’s efforts to host legal panels with judicial presenters on topics such as court assisted settlement.

Professional Involvement

Ms. Shaw is a member of the State Bar of California, as well as the Santa Cruz County, San Mateo County, and Santa Clara 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.

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 on legal updates in the areas of custody and domestic violence to the Santa Clara County Psychological Association in 2018.

Awards and Distinctions

Honored for her outstanding professionalism and service in 2019, Ms. Shaw received the Queen’s Bench Service Award, and she has received recognition as a Top 100 Family Law Attorney from the American Academy of Attorneys as well as being a member of Lawyers of Distinction. Ms. Shaw was named a Super Lawyers® Northern California Rising Star each year since 2019. Super Lawyers® evaluates attorneys based on twelve factors including peer recognition, professional achievements and community service. For Rising Stars, they select the top 2.5% of attorneys under 40 or in practice for less than 10 years. She has also received other top rankings and endorsements from her peers, along with testimonials and referrals from her satisfied clients.

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.

Community Involvement

Ms. Shaw is dedicated to giving back to the community through youth mentorship and education. Her service includes 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 son, hiking in Santa Cruz, and visiting with family and friends.