Strategic legal analysis. Empathetic approach. The reason NOVA Legal Professionals exists.
First call is a conversation, not a commitment.
Since 2007, Alisa Chunephisal has built her reputation as a skilled and tenacious family law attorney, known for combining strategic legal analysis with an empathetic approach. She ensures her clients receive both exceptional representation and unwavering support during what is often the most challenging period of their lives.
Alisa has helped clients across Fairfax and Manassas navigate divorce, custody, and other family law challenges with a blend of fierce advocacy and genuine compassion. As a divorced parent herself, she understands the emotional toll these cases can take, and she works tirelessly to protect her clients' rights while guiding them toward a stronger future.
Whether resolving complex property division, advocating for child custody arrangements, or negotiating support agreements, her approach is clear: protect her clients' interests, reduce unnecessary conflict, and empower them to move forward with confidence.
"I founded NOVA Legal Professionals to provide clients with more personal, attentive service. The kind that bigger firms simply could not deliver."
Alisa's career was not a straight line into family law. It went through the federal bench, federal regulatory enforcement, one of the largest law firms in the world, and the biggest family law firm in Virginia. Every chapter shows up in how she runs a case today.
Clerked for the Honorable Marcus D. Williams (Ret.), watching countless trials and helping craft the kind of careful rulings that taught her how judges actually think.
Federal regulatory enforcement work. The discipline of building a case file that has to hold up against well-prepared opposing counsel.
One of the largest and highest-grossing law firms in the world. The training ground for high-stakes commercial and litigation practice at the highest level.
The transition into family law. Building the depth of practice that would later define her own firm, and seeing firsthand what a big-firm model could and could not deliver to families.
Founded NLP to give family law clients the attention bigger firms could not give. The firm she leads today serves three Northern Virginia offices.
Each chapter of Alisa's career left a mark on how she runs a case. Together they form the practice clients hire her for.
Years inside the Fairfax Circuit Court clerk's office shaped how Alisa reads a case. She thinks like a judge first, then plans the strategy that follows. Clients get a clear-eyed assessment of where their case actually stands, not the version they hoped to hear.
Alisa is a divorced parent herself. She knows what it costs to live through one of these cases, and she works to keep her clients informed, supported, and grounded through every step. The empathy is not a marketing line.
Alisa founded NOVA Legal Professionals specifically to provide the kind of attention large firms could not. She returns calls before the end of the day. She walks clients through their settlement agreement page by page. That promise is the reason this firm exists.
Before family law, Alisa enforced federal regulations at the U.S. Department of Transportation and practiced at Norton Rose Fulbright. When a case needs the courtroom, she is prepared, organized, and a strong advocate from a simple pretrial to a complex trial.
Alisa works across the full range of Virginia family law. Below are the areas she handles most often, with links to read more about how the firm approaches each.
Contested and uncontested divorce, including complex property division and equitable distribution.
Legal and physical custody, parenting plans, and the long-term arrangements that fit your family.
Both temporary (pendente lite) and final spousal support under the thirteen-factor Virginia statute.
Virginia's guideline calculations and the deviations and add-ons that matter for your family.
Drafting and reviewing premarital and postmarital agreements that protect both parties cleanly.
Out-of-court resolution paths, including mediation and Virginia's collaborative law process.
A short list of the recognitions Alisa has received from professional associations, peers, and rating bodies during her career.
Verified reviews from families Alisa has stood beside, drawn from her client testimonials.
"Alisa is an exceptional attorney and is someone I would highly recommend for all of your family law needs. She's committed to truly understanding all aspects of a case and fighting for her clients to get them the best results. She is phenomenal in a court room from a simple initial pretrial to a complex trial. If you're looking for an attorney who is going to handle your case as if it were her own, Alisa is who you want."
"Anyone who does not get along with a difficult co-parent knows how I've felt for the past ten years. My first time being represented, thank you Alisa. I now feel a sense of relief, and I have hope that it can get better with my situation. I appreciate my representation more than I can put into words."
"Alisa Chunephisal was incredible help when I was in need of a lawyer for my premarital agreement. She was very professional, always quick to schedule a meeting when I needed her assistance, and she knew her way around the legal processes that I knew nothing about. I could not recommend her more."
"I truly cannot say enough about Ms. Chunephisal. She is extremely caring and honest. She goes above and beyond for her clients to ensure that you receive the very best legal advice and representation. If you hire her, you will not be disappointed at all."
Alisa meets clients across NOVA Legal Professionals' three Northern Virginia offices: Fairfax, Manassas, and Fredericksburg. The first call is a conversation, not a commitment.
