Vanessa represents employers in all phases of employment-related disputes and litigation. She defends claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act. She has experience in matters involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, interference with leave rights, and wage and hour. In addition, Vanessa has experience with claims involving restrictive covenants, trade secret, breach of contract, and other employment and business-related matters. She also represents employers before state and federal administrative agencies, including the EEOC and NCDOL.

Before joining Ogletree Deakins, Vanessa worked at a regional litigation law firm, successfully defending physicians, physician assistants, assisted living facilities, and other healthcare providers in medical malpractice actions. She also defended Section 1983 deliberate indifference cases against correctional medical providers. Vanessa also served as a judicial law clerk for the North Carolina Court of Appeals.