When conflict enters your life — a divorce, a family rift, or a business dispute — you deserve a mediator who understands both the law and the human side of what you’re going through. Compass Mediation Group serves Olympia and the greater Thurston County area with professional mediation backed by 25+ years of experience, helping capital-area families and businesses resolve disputes with clarity and dignity.
Led by Alisa Kharis — a Master Mediator certified through the International Mediation Association (IMA), a Juris Doctorate graduate of Seattle University School of Law, and a former practicing attorney with 16 years of trial and motions experience in Washington state courts — our Olympia mediation practice provides a safe, structured space where agreements are reached without the emotional and financial toll of litigation. Alisa also holds a B.A. in Political Science (Cum Laude) from Washington State University and is an IRS Enrolled Agent, bringing a rare combination of legal, financial, and interpersonal expertise to every case.
As a Washington-based practice, we bring deep, firsthand knowledge of Washington state law and local court procedures to every session — gained through years of practicing in King, Pierce, Kitsap, Whatcom, and Grays Harbor county courts. All sessions are conducted virtually, so you can participate from the comfort and privacy of your own home anywhere in the greater Olympia area.
Divorce is one of life’s most stressful transitions — but it doesn’t have to be a battle. Our divorce mediation process helps couples in the Olympia area divide assets, establish support arrangements, and create parenting plans without the adversarial nature of courtroom proceedings.
Washington is a community property state, which means assets and debts acquired during the marriage are generally considered jointly owned. Navigating community property division requires careful analysis, and as an IRS Enrolled Agent — a credential Alisa earned in 2022 and also applies through her work at Compass Tax Center, our sister company specializing in tax services — she brings tax expertise most mediators simply cannot offer. Your property settlement considers not just what’s fair today, but the long-term financial implications for both parties.
Family disputes extend beyond divorce. Whether you need help with parenting-plan modifications, elder-care decisions, or conflicts between family members, our family mediation services provide a neutral, structured environment where everyone’s voice is heard.
Washington state requires a detailed parenting plan for any custody arrangement. Drawing on her 16 years of family law, civil litigation, and general practice experience, Alisa helps parents develop comprehensive plans that address residential schedules, decision-making authority, dispute-resolution methods, and relocation provisions — all centered on the best interests of your children.
Partnership disagreements, succession-planning conflicts, and estate disputes can fracture relationships and destroy value. As the state capital, Olympia is home to government, small business, and a growing professional community whose disputes benefit from mediation over litigation. Our business and estate mediation services help stakeholders find workable solutions that preserve both relationships and assets. Alisa’s extensive business background — including founding and running Synergy Relations, a consultation and strategic communications firm, since 2003 — gives her practical insight into the realities business owners face during disputes.
If you’re considering divorce in the Olympia area, your case will be filed in Thurston County Superior Court. While Washington courts encourage mediation, navigating the procedural requirements — from mandatory waiting periods to financial disclosure obligations — can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve never been through the process before.
Compass Mediation Group helps you understand what the court requires so your mediated agreements meet all legal standards. Alisa’s 16 years of prior legal practice in Washington state courts, including extensive trial and motions work across five Washington counties, means she understands the procedural landscape from the inside. Although mediators do not provide legal advice to either party, our process is designed to ensure your agreements are thorough, informed, and ready for court approval.
Book NowOur virtual mediation format allows us to serve clients throughout Thurston County and the greater South Sound region. We regularly work with individuals and families in:
No matter where you are in the South Sound region, you receive the same attentive, personalized mediation experience.
The South Sound’s geography — spread along the I-5 corridor from Tumwater to Lacey and out to the rural county — can make in-person meetings a logistical headache, and a trip to the county courthouse in downtown Olympia isn’t always convenient. Virtual mediation eliminates that friction entirely.
Our clients tell us that participating from home actually improves the process. You’re in a familiar environment where you feel safe and grounded. There’s no anxiety about sitting in a waiting room. And for families with children, there’s no need to arrange extended childcare for travel time.
Every virtual session is conducted on a secure, confidential platform with virtual breakout rooms, so each party can think, regroup, or consult privately during the session — with the same professionalism and structure as an in-person meeting.
Deep knowledge of Washington state family law and court procedures, backed by 16 years of courtroom experience across five Washington counties.
Alisa Kharis holds a Master Mediator certification from the International Mediation Association (IMA) and a JD from Seattle University School of Law.
As an IRS Enrolled Agent and founder of Compass Tax Center, Alisa ensures your financial agreements consider tax implications others might miss.
Formerly known as Blend Mediation, and part of the Synergy Relations family of companies.
See what our clients say on our Yelp listing.
Host of the Breakthrough Today podcast, where Alisa shares insights on conflict resolution, communication, and personal growth.
Intelligent and personable with a high EQ. Keeps it simple, gives respectful but tough-love guidance to keep clients focused on a mutually respectful outcome that leaves both sides knowing they did the right thing. I highly recommend Alisa for divorce mediation — even if you’re tempted to “lawyer up,” talk to Alisa first. Read more
Finding a mediator can be tricky — even knowing you need one is tricky. Where do you start? I was fortunate to meet Alisa through a referral from a trusted advisor, and I couldn’t have gotten a better one. She was exactly what the process needed, and listened very carefully throughout. Read more
Schedule a free consultation or call (888) 851-8856 to see how mediation can help your Olympia-area family or business move forward.
Compass Mediation Group does not provide legal advice or legal representation. Alisa Kharis is a mediator, not a practicing attorney. Her legal background informs and enriches the mediation process, but she does not act as an attorney for any party. Both partners are encouraged to consult with independent attorneys for legal counsel. If you need legal representation, we are happy to refer you to qualified attorneys.
