When a marriage ends or a business dispute threatens what you’ve built, you deserve guidance from someone who understands both the legal landscape and the human side of conflict. Compass Mediation Group serves San Francisco and the Bay Area with professional mediation backed by 25+ years of experience, helping 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 — our 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.
All sessions are conducted virtually via secure video conferencing, so you can participate from the comfort and privacy of your own home anywhere in San Francisco or across the Bay 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 Bay Area divide assets, establish support arrangements, and create parenting plans without the adversarial nature of courtroom proceedings.
California is a community property state, which means assets and debts acquired during the marriage are generally divided equally. Navigating community property — especially with high-value real estate, stock options, and equity compensation common in the Bay Area — requires careful analysis, and as an IRS Enrolled Agent (a credential Alisa earned in 2022, also applied through Compass Tax Center, our sister company specializing in tax services), she brings tax expertise most mediators simply cannot offer. Your 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 custody and 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. Drawing on her 16 years of family law and litigation experience, Alisa helps parents develop comprehensive plans centered on the best interests of your children.
As a global center for tech, finance, and startups, the Bay Area sees more than its share of partnership, equity, and succession disputes — matters where relationships and significant value are on the line. Our business and estate mediation services help stakeholders find workable solutions that preserve both. Alisa’s firsthand business-ownership experience — including founding and running Synergy Relations since 2003 — gives her practical insight into the realities business owners and founders face.
If you’re considering divorce in San Francisco, your case will be filed in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco. While California courts encourage mediation, navigating the procedural requirements, from the six-month waiting period to detailed financial disclosure obligations, can feel overwhelming.
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 and courtroom experience mean 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 San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. We regularly work with individuals and families in:
No matter where you are in the Bay Area, you receive the same attentive, personalized mediation experience.
Bridge tolls, BART delays, and gridlock on 101 and 880 can turn a short trip into an ordeal. Virtual mediation eliminates that friction entirely, so you never lose hours crossing the Bay for an appointment.
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 a shared waiting room, and parents don’t need to arrange extra childcare for travel time.
Every virtual session is conducted on a secure, confidential platform with virtual breakout rooms, so each party can have private, confidential conversations with the mediator during the session.
Deep understanding of how California’s equal-division framework applies to Bay Area homes, equity compensation, and investments.
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 agreements consider tax implications others might miss — critical where stock and equity are involved.
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 San Francisco-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.
