Shirley Chim is a lawyer practicing family, speeding & traffic ticket, child custody and 5 other areas of law. Shirley has been licensed for 14 years. Shirley practices in Fairfax, VA.
Attorney Shirley Chim with Safi, Duran & Chim demonstrates solid expertise in divorce law, child custody, and protective orders, with fees that are admirably consistent with other attorneys in the area (translation: expensive, but at least everyone's equally expensive). Her courtroom preparation is thorough, though her strategic approach has some unique characteristics. My anticipated straightforward divorce has transformed into what can only be described as a legal marathon with multiple sequels. Attorney Chim's negotiation style involves making last-minute settlement offers without consulting opposing counsel first, then asking me to predict my spouse's reaction—apparently, I was supposed to develop psychic abilities along with my legal troubles. When these offers inevitably fail, the solution is invariably more court time and, naturally, more retainer funds. It's like a choose-your-own-adventure book where every path leads to "pay more money."
After over a year with Shirley Chim the divorce attorney, I feel compelled to share my experience. The biggest issue has been lack of communication—I've never been cc'd or bcc'd on emails to opposing counsel and rarely know what's happening with my case. After months with Shirley Chim, nothing is resolved: custody, assets, visitation all remain unsettled. Minor wins took months and cost thousands. What I expected to be a 6-9 month process has stretched beyond a year with mounting legal fees and no end in sight. My situation is especially difficult due to a protective order preventing family contact, forcing complete reliance on Shirley Chim while being kept in the dark about case communications. This lack of transparency makes it impossible to verify I'm getting the full picture. The financial and emotional toll with Shirley has been devastating. I question whether a more congenial approach might have served me better.
I cannot recommend Attorney Shirley Chim from Safi Duran and Chim. My case experienced significant and seemingly unnecessary delays that appeared purposeful, resulting in increased legal fees. The prolonged timeline felt deliberate rather than due to case complexity. Combined with unprofessional communication, these delays created additional financial burden during an already challenging divorce process. Shirley Chim did not demonstrate the efficiency and client-focused approach I expected.
