Joseph Crawford

Partner | Certified Family Law Specialist

Known for his expert handling of financial issues inherent in complex divorces, Joseph Crawford represents a range of Silicon Valley senior executives and their spouses. Joe has litigated the full spectrum of disputes and legal protections that arise in high-net worth divorces. He combines powerful and effective resolution techniques with an enduring commitment to his clients’ future well-being.  

Litigation and Financial Expert in Silicon Valley Divorces

Joe is a Family Law Specialist as Certified by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. He guides clients through the financial friction and critical concerns involved in high-value divorces, whether in mediation or litigation. To position clients favorably in negotiations, Joe draws upon his knowledge of the monetary intricacies unique to the Bay Area’s technology and venture capital, private equity, and hedge fund economies. He has resolved conflicts and led settlement discussions involving valuations of privately held companies and the characterization of partnership interests and overall equity compensation. Throughout Joe’s 30-year career in family law, he has supported his clients through both their financial and emotional concerns as they go through a challenging period of their lives. Clients gain access to his network of affiliated professionals, including forensic accountants, estate planners, wealth managers, child custody experts, therapists, and others. Joe’s whole-client perspective helps chart a positive path forward for his clients and their families. 

Skilled Litigator, Negotiator and Family Law Leader   

Joe advocates for clients in all areas of divorce litigation and mediation, from temporary orders and pre-trial discovery through post-judgment modifications. He encourages negotiated settlements when possible to resolve marital, custodial and dissolution conflicts. Trained in the Harvard Negotiation Project, Joe manages negotiation and settlement to optimize the choices available to his clients. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley and his law degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. His legal leadership has included serving as president of the Northern California Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and the San Mateo County Bar Association, and as chair of the board of directors of the San Mateo County Family Law Section. He is active in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, where he has served as a faculty member of its Trial Practicum and presented on such topics as frozen embryos in divorce and the use of financial experts in divorce. Joe is consistently included in the Best Lawyers in America and as one of Northern California’s “Super Lawyers”. He has served on the board of directors of Kids’ Turn, a workshop group focused on helping children and parents through parental separation and divorce.

Recognition

Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

Certified Family Law Specialist

Consistently listed as a Northern California “Super Lawyer” and as one of the “Best Lawyers in America”

Education

BA, University of California, Berkeley (1988)

JD, University of Wisconsin Madison (cum laude, 1994)

Professional Associations & Memberships

President of the San Mateo County Bar Association (2017)

President of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, N. California Chapter (2022)

Association of Certified Family Law Specialists

San Mateo County Bar Association

San Francisco County Bar Association

Santa Clara County Bar Association

Boards

Chair of the Family Law Section of San Mateo County Bar Association

San Mateo County Bench and Bar Committee

San Mateo County Membership Committee

San Mateo County Operations Committee

Kids’ Turn

Speaking Engagements

AAML Symposium – Artificial Intelligence in Family Law (May 2024)

Faculty Member AAML Trial Practicum (October 2008, 2010, 2014 and 2018)

AAML Symposium “Disposition of Frozen Embryos in Divorce” (May 2016)

AAML Associates Night – “Finding Your Bliss: The Experience of Lawyers Who Have Successfully Limited Their Practice to a Subspecialty Within Family Law” (March 2015)

AAML Symposium – “Getting the Most from Financial Experts” (April 2014)

Co-Chair of AAML Trial Practicum (October 2012)

San Mateo County Bar Association Funky Credit Day – “Ethics in Family Law” (January 2012 and 2013)