Vanessa earned her Bachelors degree in Communication Studies from Loyola Marymount University, where she made the Dean’s list and graduated with honors. From there, Vanessa earned her law degree from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law, where she participated in the Moot Court Honors Program, and served as Vice President of her school’s Black Law Students Association chapter. While in Chicago, Vanessa also worked in legal aid and clerked for the Federal Defender Program for the Northern District of Illinois.