Atty. Allison W. Anders

Atty. Allison W. Anders

Background & Education Allison grew up in Chesterfield County, Virginia but always knew she would live in Virginia Beach one day. Both of her parents grew up in Virginia Beach, so her family visited there often and Allison still has lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins in the area.

Virginia Beach Virginia Beach 23 yrs experience 23 year
Call (948) 220-0034 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About Allison W. Anders at a glance

Allison W. Anders is a Partner based in Virginia Beach, Virginia, practicing at Chaing Anders Attorneys at Law. They have 23+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 2003. Their practice focuses on divorce, child custody, family law, child support, and alimony. Admitted to practice in Virginia (2003). Educated at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law (J.D., 2001) and Old Dominion University (B.S.C.J., 1996). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Active member of Virginia Bar Association (Family Law Division) Virginia Beach Bar Association (Young Lawyers Committee, 2003-2006, Chair, 2007-2009, Membership Committee Co-Chair, 2010-2011 Board of Directors 2019-present ) Virginia Trial Lawyers Association. Serands clients in Virginia Beach, VA and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Background & Education Allison grew up in Chesterfield County, Virginia but always knew she would live in Virginia Beach one day
  • Both of her parents grew up in Virginia Beach, so her family visited there often and Allison still has lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins in the area
  • When it came time to decide where to go to college, Allison chose Old Dominion University
  • After graduating from ODU in 1996, she lived at the Oceanfront and worked as a legal secretary for a small law firm in Chesapeake
  • Allison always wanted to be a lawyer, but working as a legal secretary confirmed her choice
  • In 1998, Allison left Virginia Beach and moved to New Orleans to attend the College of Law at Loyola University in New Orleans
  • In order to make ends meet, she went to law school at night and worked as a paralegal during the day at a small law firm that practiced insurance defense
  • Allison graduated from law school in December 2001 and continued working for the law firm in New Orleans until July 2002
  • That August she started working as a law clerk for an Administrative Law Judge with the Department of Labor
  • After being admitted to the Virginia State Bar in June 2003, Allison started working for Jim McKenry at a small law firm in Virginia Beach
  • Her practice focused on traffic and misdemeanor defense and family law
  • In May 2006, she started focusing 100% of her practice on family law when she joined the firm of Kaufman & Canoles
  • Allison became a partner in January 2011 and remained at K&C until joining Parks Zeigler, PLLC in August 2015
  • In May 2022, Allison started Chaing Anders, PLLC with her partner, Cynthia Chaing
  • Family Law Attorney Experience • Allison is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, of which there are less than ten in the Tidewater area and less than 60 in all of Virginia
  • AAML Fellows are highly skilled negotiators and litigators who represent individuals in all facets of family law. • Currently serving as the Publicity Chair of the Virginia chapter of the AAML • Secretary of the Virginia Beach Bar Association (VBBA) • Member of Virginia State Bar Association (VBA) • Member of Virginia Trial Lawyers Association • Previously served on the Young Lawyers Committee for the Virginia Beach Bar Association from 2003 to 2008, chairing that committee in 2007 and 2008
  • She also co-chaired the Membership Committee from 2009 to 2011. • Served as co-chair of the golf committee for the Virginia Beach Bar Association in 2017 and chair for 2018 • Member of the VBA Family Law Coalition since November 2015 Recognition as a Family Law Attorney: • AAML Fellow • Super Lawyers by Super Lawyers.com * Legal Elite by Virginia Business • Best Lawyers by US News • Top Lawyer by Coastal Virginia Magazine • AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell • 10.0 rating by AVVO More about Allison Outside of the law, Allison has served on the Board of Directors for REACH (Reading Enriches All Children), Inc. REACH is a local non-profit that supports the literacy needs of homeless and at-risk children living in shelters throughout the Hampton Roads area
  • Allison started as a director in 2009, became Vice-President of Programs in 2011, and served as President from 2012 through 2016
  • Beyond her legal and community commitments, Allison spends as much time as possible with her husband and son
  • Allison and her family love the outdoors, so they try to spend summers at the beach, hanging by the pool and going on bike rides
  • They also enjoy camping and hiking in the spring and fall
  • Allison is also passionate about reading and loves a good suspense novel
  • Allison's Recognitions • Allison Anders is an experienced family law attorney with the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers • Allison Anders Family Law Attorney 10.0 AVVO Rating • Super Lawyers recognizes Allison Anders • Allison Anders recognized as a Top Lawyer by Coastal Virginia Magazine • Allison Anders Family Law Best Lawyers Recognition • Legal Elite recognizes Allison Anders • Allison Anders family law attorney Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent • Allison Anders is an experienced divorce lawyer recognized as a rising star by Super Lawyers

Practice Areas Explained

Allison W. Anders's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Allison W. Anders handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Divorce

A divorce attorney guides you through property division, spousal support, custody, and the final decree — contested or uncontested.

Allison W. Anders is one of 50,487 divorce attorneys indexed nationally. Browse divorce attorneys in Virginia →

Child Custody & Visitation

Allison W. Anders is one of 31,241 child custody attorneys indexed nationally. Browse child custody attorneys in Virginia →

Family Law

Family law attorneys handle divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, prenups, and protective orders. Find verified family lawyers near you.

Allison W. Anders is one of 187,066 family law attorneys indexed nationally. Browse family law attorneys in Virginia →

Child Support

Allison W. Anders is one of 24,688 child support attorneys indexed nationally. Browse child support attorneys in Virginia →

Alimony / Spousal Support

Allison W. Anders is one of 10,688 alimony attorneys indexed nationally. Browse alimony attorneys in Virginia →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Virginia

Practicing law in Virginia. Legal matters in Virginia are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Virginia Beach are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Virginia state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Virginia brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Virginia courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Virginia attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Virginia Beach or all attorneys in Virginia.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Allison W. Anders

Where is Allison W. Anders's law office located?
Allison W. Anders's law practice is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The firm is Chaing Anders Attorneys at Law. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Allison W. Anders handle?
Allison W. Anders focuses on divorce, child custody, family law, child support, alimony. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Virginia.
How long has Allison W. Anders practiced law?
Allison W. Anders has 23+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 2003.
Where did Allison W. Anders go to law school?
Allison W. Anders earned their education at (J.D., 2001); (B.S.C.J., 1996).
How can I contact Allison W. Anders for a consultation?
You can contact Allison W. Anders directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Allison W. Anders received?
Allison W. Anders's notable recognition includes: AV Preeminent.

Education

J.D.
Loyola University New Orleans College of Law
- 2001
B.S.C.J.
Old Dominion University
- 1996

Awards

AV Preeminent

Bar Admissions

Virginia
Admitted: 2003

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