Alisa Kharis, JD 

A Career Built on Helping People Navigate Complex Situations

Alisa's professional journey has been defined by one consistent thread — guiding people through challenging moments with clarity, fairness, and compassion.
 
Legal Foundation: 16 Years in Washington State Courts (1996–2012)
 
Alisa began her legal career after earning her Juris Doctorate from Seattle University School of Law in 1995. She also holds a B.A. in Political Science, Cum Laude, from Washington State University (1987).
 
From 1996 to 2012, she served as an attorney at the Law Office of Alisa Maples and Maples-Lane PLLC, where she spent 16 years handling trial and motions practice across King, Pierce, Kitsap, Whatcom, and Grays Harbor counties. Her general practice encompassed:
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• Family Law — Divorce, child custody, parenting plans, and support

• Criminal Law — Criminal defense representation

• Civil Litigation — Disputes, personal injury, and trial practice

• Business Law — Formation, contracts, partnerships, and disputes

• Entertainment Law — Contracts and intellectual property matters

• Administrative Hearings — Government agency proceedings

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During her 16 years of courtroom practice, Alisa witnessed firsthand the toll that adversarial litigation takes on families — emotionally, financially, and relationally. She saw couples who entered the legal system hoping for resolution leave it feeling depleted and divided. She saw children caught in the crossfire of courtroom battles that could have been avoided. She saw business partnerships destroyed by litigation that could have been resolved through dialogue.
 
These experiences shaped a conviction that would define the next chapter of her career: that for most families and businesses, there is a path to resolution that does not require a courtroom.
 
25+ Years of Mediation Experience and Education
 
Alisa's mediation journey spans over two and a half decades — beginning during her years as a former practicing attorney, where she facilitated settlements and negotiations, and deepening through formal mediation training and dedicated practice. She completed 40-hour mediation training programs in Aberdeen, WA in both 2016 and 2020, and in 2021 earned her Master Mediator certification from the International Mediation Association (IMA) through a rigorous year-long training program in Phoenix, AZ — the highest level of professional recognition in the mediation field.
 
The Founding of Compass Mediation Group
 
In 2017, Alisa formally established her mediation practice as Blend Mediation, later rebranded to Compass Mediation Group. The practice operates under Synergy Relations, Alisa's umbrella company founded in 2003 that also encompasses consultation, public relations, strategic communications, event planning, video production, graphic design, and marketing services.
 
She built the practice on the principle that skilled, compassionate mediation can achieve better outcomes than litigation — faster, at lower cost, and with far less emotional damage. Over the years, the practice has grown into a trusted mediation resource serving clients across Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, and nationwide through virtual sessions.
 
The rebrand to Compass Mediation Group reflects the practice's evolution and its mission: to help clients find their direction through conflict and emerge with clarity and confidence.

Credentials & Qualifications

Alisa brings an exceptional combination of credentials that set her apart in the mediation field:
 
Master Mediator — International Mediation Association (IMA), 2021
 
Alisa holds the Master Mediator designation from the International Mediation Association (IMA), earned through a rigorous year-long training program in Phoenix, AZ. This is the highest level of professional certification available in the mediation field, reflecting advanced training in conflict resolution, negotiation strategy, facilitation techniques, and ethical standards — as well as extensive practical experience mediating complex disputes.
 
It is worth noting that the mediation field is largely unregulated — there are no formal educational requirements to practice as a mediator beyond basic continuing education in most jurisdictions, and virtually anyone can call themselves a mediator. This makes voluntary, rigorous credentialing like the IMA Master Mediator designation especially meaningful. Alisa pursued this certification not because it was required, but because she believes her clients deserve the highest standard of professional training and accountability.
 
Juris Doctorate — Seattle University School of Law (1995)
 
Alisa earned her law degree from Seattle University School of Law in 1995, one of the Pacific Northwest's most respected legal institutions. Her legal education provides the foundation for understanding the legal frameworks that surround divorce, custody, property division, and business disputes — ensuring that mediated agreements are not only fair but also legally sound.
 
B.A. Political Science, Cum Laude — Washington State University (1987)
 
Alisa graduated Cum Laude from Washington State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, building the analytical, research, and critical thinking skills that have underpinned her entire professional career.
 
IRS Enrolled Agent (2022, with Oregon License)
 
Alisa is a federally licensed IRS Enrolled Agent, authorized to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. She earned this credential in 2022 and also holds an Oregon license. This credential is particularly valuable in divorce and business mediation, where tax implications can significantly affect financial settlements. Understanding how asset division, spousal support, and retirement account distribution are taxed allows Alisa to help clients make fully informed financial decisions. She also applies her Enrolled Agent expertise at H&R Block, where she has served since 2021 — keeping her tax knowledge sharp and current.
 
40-Hour Mediation Training — Aberdeen, WA (2016 & 2020)
 
Alisa completed comprehensive 40-hour mediation training programs in Aberdeen, WA in both 2016 and 2020, supplementing her IMA training and decades of practical experience with structured education in mediation methodology, techniques, and best practices.

Business Leadership and Entrepreneurial Experience