To our colleagues and the legal community:
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our founding principal, Michael R. Flicker. A titan of the Northern California legal community and a tireless advocate for justice, Michael leaves behind a 50+ year legacy that stretches from the front lines of the Civil Rights Movement to the pinnacle of California family law.
Long before he became a legend in Silicon Valley, Michael’s legal career began on the front lines of American history. As a young attorney with the Department of Justice, Michael served in the South enforcing the Voting Rights Act during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. Michael brought that same “activist heart” to Palo Alto, where he was offered partnership in a criminal defense firm. He spent his early years in California fighting for the rights of the accused before transitioning to family law—a field he would help redefine over the next 50 years.
In 1991, he co-founded Flicker & Kerin, which grew into one of the most respected practices in Northern California. As one of the region’s first Certified Family Law Specialists, Michael set a gold standard for professional excellence. He was a “legal genius” who believed that technical brilliance must be paired with unwavering ethics. To those who practiced against him, he was known as the ultimate gentleman: a man whose handshake and verbal agreement were as binding as any signed contract.
Michael’s greatest professional contribution was his dedication to the next generation. He did not just build a firm; he built a culture of mentorship. The team at Flicker Kerin, LLP carries forward the values, vision, and commitment to excellence that Michael instilled in them through years of guidance.
Michael became an attorney to change the world, and he achieved that goal through immeasurable generosity and compassion. He was an activist at heart who viewed every case through a lens of humanity. Whether he was advocating for children, supporting clients with limited means, or mentoring young attorneys, Michael’s priority was always the person. He was known for leaving no stone unturned and for having the courage to do what was right, even when it was difficult or inconvenient.
Michael was a man of immense devotion, sharing over 50 years of marriage with his wife, Annette. In his retirement, Michael split his time between Copenhagen, where he and Annette first met, and New York, to be surrounded by his daughter, Sarah, and his three beloved grandchildren. Michael’s final years confirm that for all his professional accolades, his family was his true north.
Carrying his Legacy Forward
The world has lost a spectacular mentor and an exceptional human being. As we at Flicker Kerin mourn Michael’s passing, we also celebrate the immeasurable impact he had on the California Bar and the countless lives he touched through his generosity and compassion.
We are dedicated to making the Flicker name meaningful every day by upholding the standards of excellence, respect, and advocacy that Michael championed.
Our thoughts are with Annette, Sarah, and their entire family during this incredibly difficult time.