Alice is a Certified Family Law Specialist experienced in handling all facets of complex family law matters, including dissolution of marriage, adjudication of paternity, premarital agreements, child custody and visitation issues, grandparent visitation, child support (including DCSS cases), spousal support, high asset property division, and domestic violence. Alice has successfully advocated for clients in Bay Area counties including Contra Costa, Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, and in front of private judicial officers. Alice’s approach is to settle matters amicably whenever possible because settlement can save time, avoid significant financial costs, and protect the family from the emotional stress of litigation. Alice often represents clients in mediation, both in full scope representation or on a consulting basis. However, Alice recognizes that litigation is often necessary to protect the client, their family, and their interests. Alice also regularly serves as Minor’s Counsel in Contra Costa County, and as a Parenting Coordinator or Referee.

PRIOR RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Prior to her work in family law, Alice worked as a legal intern, legal research assistant, and deputy district attorney at the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, where she completed eight criminal jury trials, as well as numerous bench trials, preliminary hearings, motions to suppress evidence, and more. She brings her significant experience in the courtroom to her practice of family law.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Alice received her undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Sociology from the University of California, Davis. During her senior year, she received an Outstanding Senior award. She continued her legal education at the University of California, Davis School of Law (King Hall). At graduation, she received the Pro Bono Program Certificate, Public Service Law Program Certificate, and the Frank and Margaret Johns Alumni Association Award.

Alice participated in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) San Francisco Mentoring Group from 2014 to 2017. Alice also completed the AAML Trial Practicum in 2021. Alice currently participates in the AAML East Bay Mentoring Group. Alice has also attended the CEB’s Estate Planning Boot Camp, and often works closely with the Trusts and Estates team at Candelaria LLP to protect the interest of clients with crossover issues.

HONORS

• In October 2023, Alice was honored with the Contra Costa County Bar Association's 4th Annual Women's Section Outstanding Lawyer Award (OWL) for her being a pillar of the legal community in both Contra Costa and Alameda County for many years.

• In 2018, Alice was honored with the Distinguished Service Award by Alameda County Bar Association for her involvement in the legal community.

• Alice has been selected for inclusion in the 2023, 2022 and 2021 Northern California Super Lawyers List. Each year, no more than 5% of lawyers in the state are selected to receive this honor by the research team at Super Lawyers. She was included on this list before reaching the age and practice ceiling for Rising Stars. Alice was also selected for the Northern California Super Lawyers Rising Stars list in 2018, 2019, and 2020, which is composed of attorneys who are age 40 or younger, in practice for 10 years or less, and have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Less than 2.5% of attorneys in Northern California are named to Rising Stars.

PUBLICATIONS AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

• “Starting the Judicial Journey: Reflections from Newer Judges,” Contra Costa Lawyer, Forthcoming

• DEI - How can we support each other better?  Panelist, Bay Area Women Lawyers Retreat, March 2024

• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the Workplace. Panelist, California Women Lawyers Annual Conference, May 2023

• “When the Roles are Reversed: Caring for Our Parents,” Contra Costa Lawyer, March 2023

• Child Development, Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence, and its Effects on Children. Panelist, Contra Costa County Minor’s Counsel Training, Fall 2022

• Questions, Concerns, Risks, and Rewards. Panelist, Contra Costa County Minor’s Counsel Training, Fall 2022

• Chinese American Stories. Panelist, Alameda County Bar Association, February 2022.

• “Estate Planning Before a Second Marriage,” co-author with Nicole Ramos Takemoto, Contra Costa Lawyer, September 2021

• “Be Water, My Friend,” co-author with Matt Cody, Contra Costa Lawyer, November 2021

• Allyship Part 2: A Call to Action for Lawyers in Supporting Directly Impacted Communities. Moderator, Alameda County Bar Association, April 2021.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

From the start of her career, Alice has always been deeply involved in the legal community. In particular, she strongly believes in the role of local bar associations in building up the next generation of lawyers and in giving back to the community as a whole.

• Alameda County Bar Association Board of Directors:

• Immediate Past President (2024)

• President (2023)

• President Elect (2022)

• Director (2017-2021)

• Barristers Chair (2017-2018)

• Barristers Executive Committee (2014-2018)

• Contra Costa County Bar Association’s Family Law Section 

• President Elect (2024)

• Director (2019 to present)

• Co-Chair, Minor’s Counsel Panel, Contra Costa County Bar Association (2020 - present)

• Contra Costa Lawyer Magazine 

• Co-Editor (2022-2023)

• Member (2021-2026)

• Earl Warren American Inns of Court 

• Executive Board Member (2020 to present)

• Member (2014 to present)

• Member of Association of Certified Family Law Specialists (ACFLS)

• Member of Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC National and Northern California).

• Member of Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area (AABA)

• Member of Filipino Bar Association of Northern California (FBANC)

• Access to Justice Work: 

• Volunteer for Legal Access Alameda’s Community Legal Saturdays Program

• Panel Member of Alameda County Lawyer Referral Service

• Settlement Commissioner for Alameda and Contra Costa County Superior Courts

PERSONAL BACKGROUND/LANGUAGES SPOKEN

Though she is a native of Hong Kong, Alice was raised in San Francisco. As an immigrant, English is her second language. Alice speaks Cantonese and basic conversational Mandarin. Alice enjoys watching baseball and basketball, reading, listening to audiobooks and podcasts, travel, and spending time with family and friends.