When a marriage ends or a business dispute threatens to upend your livelihood, you need a mediator who truly knows Pierce County — someone who has walked the halls of its courthouse and understands both the legal process and the emotional weight of conflict. Compass Mediation Group brings that exact combination to Tacoma, offering professional mediation grounded in 25+ years of hands-on experience so you can move forward with confidence and peace of mind.
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 mediation practice provides a structured, supportive space where agreements are reached without the emotional and financial devastation of courtroom battles. 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.
Having previously practiced law in Pierce County courts, Alisa has firsthand familiarity with the local judicial landscape — from filing procedures to the expectations of Pierce County Superior Court judges. All sessions are conducted virtually via secure video conferencing, so you can participate from the comfort and privacy of your own home anywhere in the greater Tacoma area.
Divorce is one of life’s most difficult transitions — but it doesn’t have to destroy your family or your finances. Our divorce mediation process helps couples in the Tacoma area divide assets, establish support arrangements, and create parenting plans collaboratively, without the adversarial nature of courtroom litigation.
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.
Tacoma’s proximity to Joint Base Lewis-McChord means many local families face the unique complexities of military divorce. Division of military pensions under the Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act (USFSPA), Survivor Benefit Plan elections, TRICARE health-coverage transitions, and the interplay between federal military regulations and Washington state community property law all require a mediator with both legal depth and financial acumen. Alisa’s background as a former practicing attorney and IRS Enrolled Agent makes her uniquely qualified to guide military families through these layered issues — ensuring nothing is overlooked in your settlement.
Family disputes extend well 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 — including cases handled directly in Pierce County — 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. Tacoma’s growing business community — from the thriving downtown core to the Port of Tacoma industrial corridor — generates its share of commercial disputes that 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 operational realities business owners face during disputes.
If you’re considering divorce in the Tacoma area, your case will be filed in Pierce 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 direct trial and motions experience in Pierce County Superior Court as well as King, Kitsap, Whatcom, and Grays Harbor county courts, means she understands the local 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 Pierce County and the greater South Sound region. We regularly work with individuals and families in:
No matter where you are in the greater Tacoma area, you receive the same attentive, personalized mediation experience.
Getting across Tacoma can be a challenge in itself — I-5 congestion through the city center, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge bottleneck to Gig Harbor, and the sprawling distances between communities like Puyallup, Lakewood, and Federal Way can turn a simple meeting into a half-day affair. 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 — or military families managing demanding schedules — there’s no need to arrange extended childcare or juggle duty obligations around travel time.
Every virtual session is conducted on a secure, confidential platform with virtual breakout rooms that let each party think, regroup, or consult with their own attorney privately during the session — replicating the benefits of separate conference rooms in a traditional setting, with the same professionalism and structure as an in-person meeting.
Alisa Kharis previously practiced law directly in Pierce County Superior Court, bringing insider knowledge of local procedures and expectations.
Alisa 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 — critical for military pension division and community property settlements.
Experience with the unique legal and financial complexities facing service members and their families near JBLM.
Formerly known as Blend Mediation, and part of the Synergy Relations family of companies.
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 Tacoma-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.
