Vanessa Frank
Downey, CA

• Appointed by California Senate President Pro Tempore Monique Limón

• Current Term Extends through June 30, 2030

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Vanessa’s family instilled in her the drive to change the world. Throughout high school she trained with the organization now known as Confluence Rising, learning that collaborative leadership and listening are the most powerful tools for change. She majored in Public Policy at Stanford University, supported Bay Area public schools in transformational leadership, and graduated from Stanford Law School in 2003, having focused her studies and clinical work on immigration law, international human rights, and economic development. Following two years as a litigator with an international Bay Area-based law firm, Vanessa joined CRLA, the legendary civil rights firm, in their Agricultural Worker Program’s Oxnard office. In 2009, Vanessa opened her own firm, providing high quality legal services to immigrant families engaging the Central Coast community in the struggle for humane immigration policies. In 2018, she co-founded Swap Meet Justice and in 2025 she established MARIPOSA Advocacy and Legal Services to provide low cost, high quality legal services while training the upcoming generation of legal and community advocates. Vanessa serves on several nonprofits Boards of Directors and has earned many awards for her relentless commitment to making public policy truly serve everyone in our community.