Vanessa Arrieta

The Project

Vanessa will support socially and economically vulnerable seniors in the rural areas of Palm Beach and Hendry Counties in Florida, by providing assistance through direct legal services, outreach, and education.

Since graduating from law school, Vanessa has worked tirelessly to help economically disadvantaged communities. Her first job at Legal Aid involved helping victims of domestic violence who could not afford a private attorney in the areas of family law including, but not limited to, divorce and paternity actions. The biggest challenge of that project was when the victim was still financially dependent on the abusive party and cohabitation existed between the parties. Vanessa assisted her clients in getting injunctions, alimony, child support, and resolving any property disputes. It is the kind of work that makes her feel proud of what she does.

Fellowship Plans

Vanessa’s project aims to reduce older individuals’ susceptibility to crimes of financial fraud, exploitation, and abuse through trainings and outreach, and to remedy the deleterious effects of these crimes when they do occur by advocating for victims’ rights and providing full-scope representation when needed. Vanessa’s outreach activities will focus on rural underserved communities throughout the two-county service area and will include presentations and distribution of brochures and flyers at senior community centers.