Vanessa Singh Johannes
Of Counsel – Carlton Fields

 

Description of field of expertise

Vanessa Singh Johannes is a seasoned criminal defense and trial attorney. She specializes in white-collar matters, internal corporate and compliance investigations, and government investigations. She began her career in New York, as a litigator at Kirkland & Ellis LLP. After nearly six years at K&E, she transitioned to government service, serving as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of Florida for 10 years. As an AUSA, Vanessa tried more than 20 federal jury trials. For the past year and a half, she has been a part of Carlton Fields’ White Collar Crime and Government Investigations Group, handling complex corporate investigations and representing an array of clients facing criminal exposure. She tried a two-month-long federal health care fraud matter in October 2021, adding to her trial accolades.    

 

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

Discover what you love about the law and become specialized in that area. Clients rely on counsel who is the “go to” person in his or her area. If you do not know what you love quite yet, take the time to shadow experienced lawyers in an array of areas and educate yourself about new, emerging areas of litigation. If you decide you want to be a trial lawyer, it is essential to gain meaningful courtroom experience — whether that’s as a state or federal prosecutor or public defender, or taking on pro bono cases that provide real, on-your-feet experience.

 

Final thoughts…

The law is the precipitous for change in our society. You are part of an amazing profession — make the most of it!