Prior to her current position, she provided direct legal services to low-income individuals and families in various areas of law including public benefits, housing, bankruptcy, and consumer law. She has worked for Bay Area Legal Aid and the Public Law Center. From 2009 to 2011, Vanessa was an Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps legal fellow and provided direct legal services to individuals and families directly affected by the foreclosure crisis. Vanessa received her J.D. in 2008 from the City University of New York (CUNY) School of Law. She earned her bachelor's degree from U.C. Berkeley. Contact Vanessa at vanessaleonardo@fbanc.org