Marisa R. Chaves

Senior Litigation Counsel 

Marisa R. Chaves has spent her career litigating complex mass tort cases, general liability matters, and commercial disputes in both state and federal courts. She has represented clients in all phases of litigation, including trial, and now brings that experience to family law. Coming to Hanson Crawford Crum from a top 10 ranked AmLaw 100 law firm, she is well-versed in handling complex and contentious legal matters.  

Marisa has begun her journey in family law with a passion for client service and an eye for creative solutions. She has facilitated the settlement of thousands of cases and knows that her clients often have sensitive concerns and issues that need to be handled with care and discretion. After helping several friends through divorces and growing up in a blended family, she knows that divorce is one of the most stressful life events any person can experience, and she strives to make sure her clients have the best possible representation. 

Marisa has been singing her entire life and performs with her previous firm’s band at local charity events. For the past two years her band has won the annual Law Rocks Competition and took home the coveted Judge’s Choice Award last year at the Family Violence Appellate Project’s Battle of the Bands. 

Outside of the office, Marisa spends most of her time with her husband wrangling their two young children and three dogs. 

Recognition

Northern California Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine (2015-2017)*

*This list represents the top 2.5% of up-and-coming lawyers in California

Education

BA, University of Texas at Austin (2000) (Academic Honors and Dean’s List)

JD, Boston University School of Law (2004) (Served as Note Editor of the Public Interest Law Journal, 2003-2004)

Bar Admissions

California

Professional Associations

Bar Association of San Francisco

San Francisco La Raza Lawyers Association, Board Member 

Association of Latino Marin Attorneys

Publications

Why Exhausting Tribal Remedies is Typically Required Prior to Challenging Jurisdiction in an Alternative Court