Based in the Simpson Thacher’s Washington, D.C. office, Vanessa represents clients in healthcare regulatory matters, including those involving the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Vanessa has advised pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, healthcare and technology companies, hospitals, and other providers in connection with regulatory and compliance needs, as well as in connection with M&A and capital-raising transactions. Vanessa has extensive experience counseling clients with respect to FDA enforcement matters, health privacy, security and breach issues, healthcare fraud and abuse matters and cannabis and hemp laws. Previously, Vanessa held several government positions focused on healthcare regulation. Her experience includes serving as HIPAA Privacy Officer and Attorney for the Department of Public Health for the City of Chicago. Vanessa also advised Members of Congress and their staff on FDA matters as a Legislative Attorney with the Congressional Research Service, including laws that expanded FDA’s regulatory and enforcement authorities (FDAAA, TCA, FSMA, and FDASIA). She handled healthcare law, administrative law and constitutional law matters during the creation and passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.