Since 2003, Michèle M. Bissada has dedicated her legal career to being a certified specialist in the Family Law practice area. Bissada, who is a founding owner and partner at Flicker, Kerin, Kruger & Bissada LLP in Menlo Park, California, is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and a member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC), a national organization set on addressing children’s issues in divorce.
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2021, Bissada is currently being honored as “Lawyer of the Year” for Family Law in San Jose for 2024.
Of her legal career and recent recognition, Bissada stated: “It is my honor to serve as the 2023 Northern California Chapter President of the AAML. In this position, I represent our Chapter among other highly experienced and well-respected family law attorneys throughout the nation. I am very involved in the AAML Northern California Chapter, the National AAML organization and the National Foundation. I serve on several AAML National and Foundation Committees, where I share our California Chapter accomplishments and assist in developing National programs and awarding grants to worthy non-profits. After almost 30 years of practice, I am always intrigued by the interesting and complex financial situations we face in high-asset dissolution cases. I strive to assist clients with the efficient and amicable division of their illiquid private equity and venture capital assets, which can be difficult to value and divide.
“I pride myself on listening to my clients and their needs, while also educating them on what they will face during their dissolution case. However, I am also up front and honest with my clients about the likelihood of success regarding their ‘wish list' based on the facts of their situation and the current legal landscape. Clients may feel initially disappointed to hear the reality of how things may end up in a reasonable settlement or in court, but they certainly appreciate that I do not make unrealistic promises regarding the outcome of their case. By separating my emotions from the traumas my clients face, I can be objective for them and guide them toward the best results for their case. An attorney’s strength is not only advocating for their clients but providing clients with guidance on the risks and benefits of settlement versus litigation.”
Over the course of her 20-year legal career, Bissada has honed her skills as a mediator, serving as a family law consulting attorney and offering services as a settlement judge. Additionally, Bissada is also trained in matters of collaborative law, which provide clients with an alternative method of dispute resolution and settlement without going to trial.
“As a named partner at a relatively large family law firm of 13 attorneys, I am constantly mentoring young attorneys. Through my mentoring, I work to promote the excellence of the practice of family law. This is a commitment I have made throughout my almost 30 years in practice and comminute to do so through my involvement in the AAML. I also am a Co-Group Leader of an AAML Mentoring Group for young attorneys of our AAML Northern California Chapter, as well as having Co-Chaired several times our Trial Practicum Course to train young attorneys on Family Law trials. I have devoted my career to mentoring younger attorneys to help them build their reputation and develop into brilliant and ethical professionals.”
