Matthew Keith Purcell
Folsom, CA
Licensed for 16 years
Law Degree
Awards
Primary Practice Area
Divorce and Family
Language
English
About
Certified Family Law Specialist, Divorce & Custody Lawyer, Husband, Daddy, Pet-Parent, Gamer, Bruin, Fantasy Football Savant, Sunscreen Aficionado, @matthewkpurcellMatthew K. Purcell is a Shareholder of Forester Purcell Stowell PC, Family Law Attorneys. He has been recognized as a Certified Family Law Specialist by the California State Bar Association’s Board of Legal Specialization since 2011. Matt was the youngest Certified Family Law Specialist in California at the time he received this prestigious recognition of expertise in the field.Experience: Matt has more than a decade of experience handling a range of family law issues, as well as guardianships and juvenile dependency. Offering broad expertise to his clients, Matt has handled everything from intricate property and support issues to complex custody issues involving allegations of sexual and physical abuse, domestic violence, parental alienation, and relocations.With significant experience in the more specialized fields of guardianships, grandparent rights, and juvenile dependency cases, Matt is adept at counseling clients in situations where Child Protective Services removes children from parents based upon allegations of abuse and/or neglect.Matt handles all aspects of dissolutions, but is particularly passionate about protecting the well-being of the children who are involved in these contentious adult situations. While he has found that successful outcomes are most often reached through negotiation and settlement, there are some cases where one or both parties simply cannot compromise. He has extensive litigation experience, including arguing in front of the Court of Appeal, if necessary. Matt was the attorney of record both at the trial court and appellate level on the published 2011 precedent setting relocation case Jacob A. v. C.H. (196 Cal.App.4th 1591).A graduate of Folsom High School, Matt attended college at UCLA where he graduated with a degree in History. He then earned his J.D. from the Syracuse University College of Law in New York. After braving three winters in New York, he returned to the Sacramento area where he started his law practice in 2005. Prior to co-founding Forester Purcell Inc., Matt worked for more than eight years as the associate attorney to one of Sacramento’s premiere family law attorneys, Frank E. Dougherty.Matt presently resides near Folsom with his wife and better-half, Kellie, their son Jack and their dog George. He practices primarily in Sacramento, Placer, Yolo and El Dorado Counties, although he has handled cases in most Northern California counties.Learn more about Matt and his family law firm:
Practices Areas
Divorce and separation
Family
Juvenile Law
Language
English
Contact
Reviews
Matthew took on our case (pro-bono) because it had been so mishandled by all previous attorneys. Here’s an excerpt: "Faced with an admittedly difficult decision, the trial court skirted the question entirely (of what custody arrangement would be in Katie's best interest when mother moves) and issued an order purporting to maintain the status quo. By issuing such an order, the trial court effectively prohibited mother from moving, which is an abuse of the court's discretion... Although it is ultimately the trial court's error that we review on appeal, the error here did not arise in a vacuum. Here, the genesis of the court's error can be traced directly to the failures of the court-appointed mediator and the minor's counsel.” May our attorney, Matthew Purcell, continue to flourish in his practice and know that We will be eternally grateful for his perseverance, intelligence, and integrity. What a better world this would be if all attorneys modeled his attributes!
Mr. Purcell represented me in a divorce and child custody case that took nearly 3 years to complete. His experience and demeanor was invaluable as he guided me through the process which involved manipulation, high conflict, unreasonable requests, false CPS reports and both parties moving out of state. No divorce is ever easy but I’m glad I had him in my corner.
Matt has been my rock through my legal separation. My case was complicated and involved several hearings for the court to determine whether California had jurisdiction over my request for a legal separation. Matt was able to successfully defend my request for a legal separation in California, which ultimately resulted in a stay of the out of state action and resolution of all issues in my case. Matt and his staff consistently communicated with me to make sure that I understood through every step of the process. And if I had questions, I was always able to speak with someone about my case and get answers whenever I reached out to his office. Matt and his staff, Dorinda and Kalli, were professional, compassionate, and knowledgeable throughout this process. Matt was also cognizant of costs and attempted to resolve the issues in my case without the need for court intervention at first. When he was faced with obstreperous conduct by my ex, he immediately responded assertively and prevented all of my ex’s impractical positions. I couldn’t have asked for a better advocate or better representation. I would highly recommend him!
Matt has been my attorney for many years. I am a single father and have primary custody of my children due to him. He is very knowledgeable and always there for you. His experience and demeanor in dealing with different Judges is what truly sets him apart. I have a manipulative, high conflict, unreasonable ex spouse. When things got bad, he always guided me to do what was right by the kids. Looking back, I'm glad he is in my corner. One of the top lawyers around. Highly recommend!
Matt has represented me with competency, professionalism, and integrity. I have no hesitation in recommending Matt and his staff. I have referred friends to his office. Matt's representation of me was always done with keeping in mind what was in my and my children's best long-term interests. Matt is probably one of the few attorneys who recognizes that and kept that foremost in his representation of me. Additionally, I appreciated that he sometimes had me approve letters before they were sent to opposing counsel so that my relationship with my children's mother was not impacted by an attorney's otherwise potentially hyberbolic language. That's competence, professionalism, and integrity. Matt, his paralegal Dorinda, and all of his staff exhibit those traits. Additionally, Matt and his staff recognized and understood the stress I experienced in going through a dissolution and their professionalism and kindness helped make a difficult situation more manageable.
Matt is a Very Good Attorney and a Pleasant Human Being !! He has always treated me with respect and has had the best interest of my son in mind. I would and have referred him to other people on several occasions and will continue to do so in the future. He is a True Professional and all around Good Guy !!
Overall, Matt Purcell was very professional. While going through the toughest time in my life, he was able to give me the best advice possible when dealing with CPS. Mr. Purcell kept everything at a professional level which helped me deal with the entire situation more professionally as well. Mr. Purcell handled the case from beginning to end with great composure. Mr. Purcell is also very honest and that is the best quality you can find in any attorney. I would also like to point out that Lisa was also a great help every time I called. I was able to talk to Lisa or Mr. Purcell each time. It is people like this that make a horrific ordeal a little easier to get through. In the end, my case was dismissed and I owe that to Mr. Purcell. I hope I never have to go through this again but if I do, I would know exactly who I would want to represent me.
Matt has handled all of my ongoing child custody and support issues with the best interest of both my children and myself in mind. He is easily reachable, supportive, and good at sticking to the facts and not adding to the emotions of it all. K.
Nice enough guy, not a spectacular litigator... I don't know if the situation was just completely out of his realm of influence or what but if I had it to do over again I would spend the $20k on a big bag of hammers to take into court with me. My expectations would be lower and at least I would have some hammers to show for it all
I wish I would have known about this site before selecting an lawyer. Matt is excellent at writing and legal briefs but is really not a good trial lawyer and sadly the other attorney was a very good trial lawyer and ate him up. I am having to go through it all over again with another attorney as he didn't actually accomplish much when it came to trial where it mattered but I ended up with over 30k in fees. Sadly I agree with the other reviewer who said he is a really nice guy but not good in trial.
Matthew took on our case (pro-bono) because it had been so mishandled by all previous attorneys. Here’s an excerpt: "Faced with an admittedly difficult decision, the trial court skirted the question entirely (of what custody arrangement would be in Katie's best interest when mother moves) and issued an order purporting to maintain the status quo. By issuing such an order, the trial court effectively prohibited mother from moving, which is an abuse of the court's discretion... Although it is ultimately the trial court's error that we review on appeal, the error here did not arise in a vacuum. Here, the genesis of the court's error can be traced directly to the failures of the court-appointed mediator and the minor's counsel.” May our attorney, Matthew Purcell, continue to flourish in his practice and know that We will be eternally grateful for his perseverance, intelligence, and integrity. What a better world this would be if all attorneys modeled his attributes!
Mr. Purcell represented me in a divorce and child custody case that took nearly 3 years to complete. His experience and demeanor was invaluable as he guided me through the process which involved manipulation, high conflict, unreasonable requests, false CPS reports and both parties moving out of state. No divorce is ever easy but I’m glad I had him in my corner.
Matt has been my rock through my legal separation. My case was complicated and involved several hearings for the court to determine whether California had jurisdiction over my request for a legal separation. Matt was able to successfully defend my request for a legal separation in California, which ultimately resulted in a stay of the out of state action and resolution of all issues in my case. Matt and his staff consistently communicated with me to make sure that I understood through every step of the process. And if I had questions, I was always able to speak with someone about my case and get answers whenever I reached out to his office. Matt and his staff, Dorinda and Kalli, were professional, compassionate, and knowledgeable throughout this process. Matt was also cognizant of costs and attempted to resolve the issues in my case without the need for court intervention at first. When he was faced with obstreperous conduct by my ex, he immediately responded assertively and prevented all of my ex’s impractical positions. I couldn’t have asked for a better advocate or better representation. I would highly recommend him!
Matt has been my attorney for many years. I am a single father and have primary custody of my children due to him. He is very knowledgeable and always there for you. His experience and demeanor in dealing with different Judges is what truly sets him apart. I have a manipulative, high conflict, unreasonable ex spouse. When things got bad, he always guided me to do what was right by the kids. Looking back, I'm glad he is in my corner. One of the top lawyers around. Highly recommend!
Matt has represented me with competency, professionalism, and integrity. I have no hesitation in recommending Matt and his staff. I have referred friends to his office. Matt's representation of me was always done with keeping in mind what was in my and my children's best long-term interests. Matt is probably one of the few attorneys who recognizes that and kept that foremost in his representation of me. Additionally, I appreciated that he sometimes had me approve letters before they were sent to opposing counsel so that my relationship with my children's mother was not impacted by an attorney's otherwise potentially hyberbolic language. That's competence, professionalism, and integrity. Matt, his paralegal Dorinda, and all of his staff exhibit those traits. Additionally, Matt and his staff recognized and understood the stress I experienced in going through a dissolution and their professionalism and kindness helped make a difficult situation more manageable.
Matt is a Very Good Attorney and a Pleasant Human Being !! He has always treated me with respect and has had the best interest of my son in mind. I would and have referred him to other people on several occasions and will continue to do so in the future. He is a True Professional and all around Good Guy !!
Overall, Matt Purcell was very professional. While going through the toughest time in my life, he was able to give me the best advice possible when dealing with CPS. Mr. Purcell kept everything at a professional level which helped me deal with the entire situation more professionally as well. Mr. Purcell handled the case from beginning to end with great composure. Mr. Purcell is also very honest and that is the best quality you can find in any attorney. I would also like to point out that Lisa was also a great help every time I called. I was able to talk to Lisa or Mr. Purcell each time. It is people like this that make a horrific ordeal a little easier to get through. In the end, my case was dismissed and I owe that to Mr. Purcell. I hope I never have to go through this again but if I do, I would know exactly who I would want to represent me.
Matt has handled all of my ongoing child custody and support issues with the best interest of both my children and myself in mind. He is easily reachable, supportive, and good at sticking to the facts and not adding to the emotions of it all. K.
Nice enough guy, not a spectacular litigator... I don't know if the situation was just completely out of his realm of influence or what but if I had it to do over again I would spend the $20k on a big bag of hammers to take into court with me. My expectations would be lower and at least I would have some hammers to show for it all
I wish I would have known about this site before selecting an lawyer. Matt is excellent at writing and legal briefs but is really not a good trial lawyer and sadly the other attorney was a very good trial lawyer and ate him up. I am having to go through it all over again with another attorney as he didn't actually accomplish much when it came to trial where it mattered but I ended up with over 30k in fees. Sadly I agree with the other reviewer who said he is a really nice guy but not good in trial.