Born 1955 in Lebanon, Virginia.

See her Court of Appeals photographic portrait.

Elected by the General Assembly on February 14, 2019 to a twelve-year term beginning September 1, 2019, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Elizabeth A. McClanahan. Expiration of current term: August 31, 2031.

Education:
Emory and Henry College, B.A., 1978
University of Richmond, J.D., 1987

Other judicial service:
Judge, Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, Twenty-Ninth Judicial District, 2002-2005
Judge, Twenty-Ninth Judicial Circuit, 2005-2012 (chief judge, 2008-2009)
Judge, Court of Appeals of Virginia, 2012-2019

Professional career:
Private practice of law in Lebanon, Virginia, 1987-2002

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Elected to the Supreme Court of Virginia, Minute Book, 2019 Session, Senate of Virginia, February 14, 2019. Elected to Court of Appeals, Journal of the House of Delegates, 2012 Special Session I, 347. Elected juvenile and domestic relations judge, Journals of the Senate of Virginia, 2002 Regular Session, 1414. Elected circuit court judge, Journals of the Senate of Virginia, 2005 Regular Session, 1170; biography, Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, 2001, VA233B. See also Peter Vieth, “Chafin Elected to Court of Appeals,” Virginia Lawyers Weekly, May 17, 2012, retrieved from valawyersweekly.com on December 2, 2014.