About Shirley
Shirley Chim is an attorney licensed to practice in Virginia. She built a legal career in the state and practices through a small firm that bears her name. Her work is grounded in state law and the everyday mechanics of representing clients before courts and agencies.
Chim’s path into law led her to the Virginia bar. Early in her career she handled a range of matters that required both courtroom presence and careful drafting. She has moved between contested hearings and negotiated resolutions. That combination shaped how she evaluates risk and plans next steps for clients.
Over time she took on increasingly complex assignments. Cases and matters that begin with a narrow legal question have often expanded to touch on procedure, regulation, and client operations. Chim gained experience managing those layers. She has worked closely with clients to identify practical remedies and manage expectations about timing and likely outcomes.
Her practice style leans toward clarity and preparation. Chim aims to give clients straightforward assessments and to prepare records and arguments that can withstand scrutiny. She also spends time on the often-overlooked details: document management, calendaring, and the posture a case will present if it goes before a judge or administrative decisionmaker.
Safi, Duran & Chim PLLC is the firm through which she currently practices. The firm handles a mix of matters for individuals and organizations across Virginia. Chim’s role at the firm involves advising clients, handling filings, and appearing in court when cases proceed to trial. She works alongside colleagues on strategy and draws on those team discussions when complex issues arise.
Outside individual cases, Chim pays attention to changes in Virginia law and procedure that can affect client options. She monitors rule changes and recent decisions so that advice reflects current standards rather than assumptions about how matters have always been handled. That habit of staying current informs how she frames potential outcomes for clients and how she frames settlement discussions.
At present Chim continues to practice through Safi, Duran & Chim PLLC, representing clients in matters arising under Virginia law and attending to both litigation and transactional needs in the state.
