Karakas, an Experienced Trial Attorney, Brings Nearly a Decade of Courtroom Experience and Domestic Violence Advocacy to Top-Rated Bay Area Family Law Firm.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, October 20, 2025 — Fenchel Family Law, PC is pleased to announce the addition of Shar Karakas to its team of skilled family law litigators. Karakas brings nearly a decade of courtroom experience as a former Deputy District Attorney, combining proven trial advocacy with a client-centered approach that aligns seamlessly with the firm’s commitment to delivering results-driven representation in high-stakes family law matters. As a seasoned divorce lawyer, she brings both empathy and precision to every case she handles.
Before joining Fenchel Family Law, Karakas served for almost eight years as a Deputy District Attorney in Alameda and San Mateo Counties, where she prosecuted a wide range of cases and developed extensive trial experience. Her work in the Domestic Violence Unit, where she managed complex cases from investigation through verdict, shaped her strategic and thorough approach to litigation – skills that now directly benefit clients facing domestic violence restraining order proceedings and custody disputes involving safety concerns.
“Shar’s background prosecuting domestic violence and child abuse cases gives her a unique perspective that is invaluable in family law,” said Fenchel Family Law, PC’s founding attorney Valerie Fenchel. “She understands the dynamics of high-conflict situations, knows how to build compelling cases, and has the courtroom presence to advocate effectively when litigation becomes necessary. She’s a natural fit for our team.”
Karakas has litigated numerous jury trials and preliminary hearings in high-pressure environments, developing the confidence and skill to act decisively when clients’ parental rights and financial futures are at stake. Her trial-tested background distinguishes her in a field where many attorneys lack significant courtroom experience. She is equally skilled at negotiation and settlement, having crafted marital settlement agreements, prenuptial agreements, and global settlement proposals that achieve fair and lasting resolutions.
“I was drawn to family law because it allows me to advocate for people during some of the most challenging moments of their lives,” said Karakas. “My goal is to empower clients to navigate this difficult chapter with strength and clarity so they can move forward with confidence.”
Karakas earned her B.A. from UC Berkeley and her J.D. from UC Law San Francisco. Her combination of sophisticated legal training, extensive trial experience, and trauma-informed perspective makes her particularly effective in cases involving domestic violence, child custody disputes, complex financial matters, and high-conflict litigation.
At Fenchel Family Law, PC, Karakas joins a team of award-winning litigators who have tried hundreds of cases and built their reputation on delivering results for sophisticated clients in high-stakes family law matters. The firm’s attorneys bring diverse professional backgrounds and are known for their strategic approach, courtroom excellence, and unwavering advocacy for clients navigating life-changing legal challenges.
For more information about Fenchel Family Law, PC, or to schedule a free case evaluation, visit https://www.fenchelfamilylaw.com/contact-us/ or call 415-498-1668.
About Fenchel Family Law, PC:
Fenchel Family Law, PC is a San Francisco Bay Area-based family law firm providing aggressive, results-driven representation in divorce, custody, domestic violence, and complex property division matters. The firm’s experienced trial attorneys combine sophisticated legal strategy with a deep commitment to protecting clients’ rights and futures.
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