General Counsel, Partner
Vanessa is General Counsel of Vinson & Elkins and a partner in the Firm. Vanessa was appointed as General Counsel following a twenty-five-year career as an employment litigator and counselor, representing clients in all aspects of employment law. Prior to assuming her role as General Counsel of the Firm, Vanessa served as Deputy General Counsel.
In her practice, Vanessa was an experienced litigator and acted as first-chair on numerous trials, arbitrations, and appeals involving a wide variety of claims including discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims, collective actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), unfair competition and trade secret litigation, and various ERISA matters.
Before joining the Firm, Vanessa clerked for the Honorable Judge David Hittner of the Southern District of Texas
Vanessa has been recognized in multiple publications, including Chambers USA.
(5th Cir.) Principal counsel retained for appeal after entry of multi-million dollar judgment in FLSA case and obtained reversal of principal claims and damages previously entered against client
Principal counsel for a national consumer goods company in defense of a race discrimination suit brought by a large group of former employees alleging systemic race discrimination in job assignment, promotions, and work environment
Principal counsel for an energy services firm in defending a claim by a former executive that the company denied her stock options based on her gender
(S.D. Tex.); (5th Cir.) — Principal counsel in a race discrimination suit brought by multiple plaintiffs alleging systemic race discrimination in pay and promotion practices. Obtained summary judgment on all claims and successfully defended judgment in the Fifth Circuit
Principal counsel for a private equity fund in defending claims by a former executive arising from the termination of employment and her equity investment in a portfolio company
Principal counsel for a national insurance company in defending multiple suits, including class and mass action suits arising from claims adjustors employed by the company accepting payments in connection with the settlement of certain personal injury claims
Education
Admissions
Awards & Rankings
Three Vinson & Elkins Lawyers Ranked Among the Nation’s Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers
Lawdragon names three Vinson & Elkins lawyers to its 2026 500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers Guide.
September 29, 2025
September 29, 2025 • 1-minute read
Awards & Rankings
The Best Lawyers in America (BL Rankings, LLC) has named 125 Vinson & Elkins lawyers in its “Best Lawyers” category in the 2026 edition. Additionally, 76 Vinson & Elkins attorneys have been named in the “Ones to Watch” category, which recognizes lawyers with 5–10 years’ experience. Some individuals are listed in more than one practice area, giving the firm a total of 305 rankings.
August 21, 2025
August 21, 2025 • 3-minute read
Awards & Rankings
Four Vinson & Elkins Lawyers Ranked Among the Nation’s Leading Corporate Employer Lawyers
Lawdragon names four Vinson & Elkins lawyers to its 2025 500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers Guide.
October 1, 2024
October 1, 2024 • 1-minute read
Awards & Rankings
Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters) Names 34 Vinson & Elkins Attorneys to 2024 Texas Super Lawyers List; 16 to Rising Stars
September 19, 2024
September 19, 2024 • 1-minute read
Awards & Rankings
Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters) Names 37 Vinson & Elkins Attorneys to 2023 Texas Super Lawyers List
Super Lawyers has named 37 Vinson & Elkins lawyers across a range of the firm’s practice areas to the 2023 Texas Super Lawyers list.
September 18, 2023
September 18, 2023 • 1-minute read
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