2479 E. Bayshore Road, Suite 170
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 328-7000
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Lydia E. Crandall


Traditional Representation/Litigation
Consulting Attorney to Mediation
Premarital and Postmarital Agreements
Mediation
Collaborative Divorce


Lydia will calmly, rationally, and skillfully guide you through a variety of family law matters. At the outset, Lydia’s focus is big picture. She will help you evaluate and select the appropriate process for your domestic matter based on your specific circumstances and work with you to identify your goals and the strategies to achieve them. Lydia has a hands-on approach to her cases and believes that details matter; preparation is central to her work for her clients. Lydia is experienced across a variety of different processes including mediation, Collaborative Practice and litigation. As a result, her clients benefit from her perspective, judgment, and experience. Lydia works to achieve resolution outside of court whenever possible but will litigate tough issues when needed. She has a collaborative style in her work with clients to create premarital, post-marital and cohabitation agreements.

Lydia has practiced family law exclusively for 15 years, and is well-versed in high-income, high-asset cases, often involving startups, venture funds, private equity and other illiquid assets, as well as a variety of child custody issues. As part of her practice, she works closely with mental health professionals, tax professionals, wealth managers and accountants, to better support her clients.

Lydia’s work has been repeatedly recognized, including being named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine starting with her second year of practice in 2009 as well as a Super Lawyer each year since 2020. She serves as an author of CEB’s Child Custody Litigation and Practice. Since 2019, Lydia has also served as one of the managing partners of Lakin Spears, LLP.


• B.A., University of California, Santa Cruz, 2002
• J.D., Golden Gate University School of Law, 2006


• Named a Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2009 to 2019, as published in the Northern California Super Lawyers Magazine
• Named a Super Lawyer from 2020 to 2023, as published in the Northern California Super Lawyers Magazine


• Santa Clara County Bar Association
• San Mateo County Bar Association
• State of California Bar Association
• International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
• Collaborative Practice of San Mateo County


• Treasurer, Collaborative Practice San Mateo County
• Delegate, Collaborative Practice California
• Executive Committee, Lakin Spears, LLP


• Author of a chapter in the CEB book, “Child Custody Litigation and Practice”
• Co-author of the article “Disclosure Obligations Roadmap”, ACFLS Spring 2012
• Co-author of the article “Statutory Authority for Attorney’s Fees & Sanctions in Your Family Law Cases”, ACFLS Spring 2014

Lydia E. Crandall
California Divorce Attorneys, Mental Health Professionals, Financial Planners