Monica Mazzei is a Certified Family Law Specialist representing clients in the Bay Area, with a concentration in San Francisco and Silicon Valley, throughout the litigation process and in mediation. She focuses her practice exclusively on family law and specializes in dissolution actions involving complicated valuation and financial matters, and complex community property and support issues, including international issues. Monica also negotiates and drafts cohabitation agreements, premarital and postmarital agreements for her clients.
Monica works as a volunteer family court mediator in the San Francisco Superior Court. She also acts as a mentor family law attorney to the San Francisco Bar Association, Volunteer Legal Services Program. At Sideman & Bancroft, Monica offers flat rate billing alternatives to her clients.
Prior to joining Sideman & Bancroft, Monica practiced family law at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius in San Francisco and before that at Freid and Goldsman in Los Angeles.
Recognized in Chambers High Net Worth 2017, 2018 guides in Family/Matrimonial: California
Named one of the 10 Best Attorneys in California by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, 2016, 2017
Listed in Northern California Super Lawyers®: 2015-2019
Listed in Northern California Rising Stars®: 2011-2014
Selected as one of the Top Women Attorneys in Northern California by Super Lawyers: 2012, 2013, 2014
Selected as one of the Top 40 Family Lawyers Under 40 in California by the American Society of Legal Advocates: 2013-2017
Selected as one of the Top 40 National Trial Lawyers Under 40 by The National Trial Lawyers, 2014
Member of the International Society of Family Law
Monica Mazzei is a Certified Family Law Specialist, certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.
Monica was the co-chair of the San Francisco Bar Association, Barristers Family Law Section from 2009 through 2010. In 2008 and 2011, she received the Outstanding Volunteer Award for Public Service from the San Francisco Bar Association.
Monica speaks frequently on family law issues to financial advisors and other professional groups.
She is a member of the Family Law and the International Law sections of the American Bar Association and the San Francisco Bar Association. She is also a member of the Family Law sections of the Beverly Hills Bar Association, the Marin County Bar Association, and the San Mateo County Bar Association.
Named one of the 10 Best Attorneys in California by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, 2016, 2017
Named an Outstanding Volunteer by the Justice and Diversity Center of the San Francisco Bar Association, 2015
Listed in Northern California Super Lawyers®: 2015-2018
Listed in Northern California Rising Stars®: 2011-2014
Selected as one of the Top Women Attorneys in Northern California by Super Lawyers: 2012, 2013, 2014
Selected as one of the Top 40 Family Lawyers Under 40 in California by the American Society of Legal Advocates: 2013-2017
Selected as one of the Top 40 National Trial Lawyers Under 40 by The National Trial Lawyers, 2014
Member of the International Society of Family Law
- Commentary, "Trump's Tax Law Pushing People To Divorce Faster To Save Money," Newsweek, 2018
- Commentary, "Millennial Millionaires and Their Prenups -- What They Need to Be Thinking About," Entrepreneur, 2018
- Commentary, "A Prenup Primer: What Silicon Valley Couples Should Consider," The San Francisco Chronicle, 2018
- Monica Mazzei and Anne Freeman discuss “Here’s How to Start That Prenup Conversation” for The Bride magazine
- Monica Mazzei and Anne Freeman featured in “Secrets of the Divorce Lawyers” for the Nob Hill Gazette
- "Love Money What You Need To Know To Protect Your Wealth Before During and After Marriage," Legal Update, 2015
- Cohabitation Agreements – “Prenups” for the Non-Married
- Contributing author, “Inside the Minds: Strategies for Family Law in California, 14th ed.” Aspatore Publishing, 2014
- Commentary, "3 Essential Money Conversations You Should Have Before Getting Married," Business Insider, 2014
- Commentary, "Tax Planning for the Divorcing and Newly Divorced," Reuters, 2012
