Vanessa Ford

Vanessa Ford's role at Dickinson Wright's Toronto branch encompasses a wide array of litigation areas, including corporate battles, disputes over real property, and general contractual disagreements. Her time in law school was notably dynamic; she not only assisted tenants through the University of Ottawa Community Legal Clinic but also enhanced her peers' legal writing skills as a Writing Leader and delved into research with the University's Centre for Law, Technology and Society.

Prior to her legal education, Vanessa's career path took her through the advertising and manufacturing sectors. There, she crafted strategies for global brands and played a pivotal role in the operational management of a manufacturing site. These experiences outside the legal field have equipped Vanessa with a unique blend of skills, allowing her to adopt a comprehensive approach that melds legal expertise with practical and strategic insights when advising her clients.

Vanessa's academic journey includes a Juris Doctor from the University of Ottawa, where she distinguished herself by making the Dean's Honor List in 2021, and a Bachelor of Design from the Ontario College of Art and Design University, achieved in 2011. Her professional focus lies in the realms of commercial and business litigation, alongside real estate and its associated legal disputes.

Her achievements and contributions have not gone unnoticed; in 2021, Vanessa was honored with the McCarthy Tétrault LLP Technology Law Award, underscoring her impactful work in the intersection of law and technology. Vanessa is also deeply committed to community service, contributing her time and effort to organizations such as the Toronto Wildlife Centre and New Orleans Habitat for Humanity.

Vanessa's scholarly contributions include co-authoring an insightful piece on the implications of corporate surveillance on children's privacy in the digital age, a timely exploration published in "Parenting/Internet/Kids: Domesticating Technologies" by Demeter Press in 2022. This work highlights her keen interest in the evolving challenges at the intersection of technology, privacy, and family life.

Joining Dickinson Wright's Toronto office in October 2023, Vanessa Ford brings a rich tapestry of legal, academic, and real-world experiences to her practice, making her a multifaceted advocate for her clients in complex litigation matters.