Vanessa graduated with Honors from the University of Florida in 1999, earning an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology. Vanessa received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2002. After interning with the State Attorney’s Office in Jacksonville, Vanessa served as a prosecutor in Duval County for over 4 years. Vanessa’s experience as a trial attorney consists of over 30 jury trials as lead and secondary attorney, and additional multiple non-jury trials. While at the State Attorney’s Office, Vanessa gained experience in felony and juvenile cases and was the Senior County Court attorney supervising the prosecutors involved in misdemeanor cases.
After leaving the State Attorney’s Office in 2007, Vanessa became an Associate Attorney at the prestigious firm of Smith, Gambrell & Russell; gaining valuable experience in civil litigation. Vanessa broadened her experience when she became an Associate Attorney at Arnold & New. At Arnold & New, Vanessa practiced in the areas of Criminal Defense, Immigration, Civil Litigation, Probate and handled Injunction cases.
At The Law Office of Maggie Jo Hilliard, Vanessa’s areas of practice are: Criminal Defense, Immigration, Civil Litigation, Small Claims, Probate, and Injunctions. Vanessa’s Immigration Law focuses are assisting clients in obtaining their permanent residency status through the filing of Family Petitions and Naturalization cases. Vanessa also defends against criminal charges in order to diminish the immigration consequences that may impact clients negatively.