Vanessa Petronilho is currently in her last year of law school at the University of Ottawa and brings a diverse educational background to her work in personal injury. Prior to this, she successfully obtained a Bachelor of Social Work degree from McMaster University where she graduated summa cum laude. Her experiences and studies in social work have ignited a strong passion for advocacy, particularly focusing on individuals marginalized within society.
In both her educational and professional journey, Vanessa has actively engaged in numerous volunteer and work experiences that placed a strong emphasis on advocacy. These opportunities have been integral to her development, allowing her to actively contribute to causes and issues she is deeply passionate about. These experiences include:
- Volunteer at Ottawa Innocence Project.
- Volunteer with Pro Bono Student’s Canada.
- Addiction Counsellor Dave Smith Centre Youth Treatment Centre.
- Youth Supper Worker at Notre Dame House – Provided mental health support.
- Inclusion Counsellor – providing inclusive programing for youth and children with disabilities.
- Intern at the Women Centre.
- Intern at Big Brothers Big Sisters Canada.
In addition to her legal pursuits, Vanessa harbors a deep passion for music and finds great joy in performing covers and original songs at cafes throughout the province. Her love for music remains a significant part of her life, providing a creative outlet.
Medical Evidence and LTD Claims, Tips for Medical & Legal Professionals, Reach LTD Conference, 2009
Threshold Refresher, OTLA Spring Conference, May 2013
Getting the Story Out: Effective Witness Preparation, OTLA New Lawyers Division Conference, April 2014
Obstacles and Strategies to Accessing Services, Reach Canada, The Diversity of PTSD: Broadening the Conversation, 2013
Foundation of Claims: Avoiding the Cracks, Best Practices in Post Trauma Community Re-Integration Conference, 2016
CAT Definition, Navigating the new SABS Definition, panel moderator, Best Practices in Post Trauma Community Re-Integration Conference, 2017
New LAT: How is it Treating Chronic Pain, Best Practices in Post Trauma Community Re-Integration Conference, 2018
Getting to 55%: Using Brain Injury to Reach Catastrophic Impairment, Best Practices in Post Trauma Community Re-Integration Conference, 2019
Difficult Client Conversations: Practical Tips & Advice for New Lawyers, Reach Canada, February 2021
Virtual Hearings: The New Age, OTLA Law Clerks Seminar Series, March 2021
Undermining Credibility in Cross-Examination, Advocates Society, Ottawa Courthouse Series, March 2023
Collateral Benefits Update: Preventing Collateral Damage to Your Client’s Claim, OTLA webinar, October 2023
Reach Canada, current President, member of Board of Directors and past Chair of the Education Committee and Legal Referral Committee, 2003-present
Able2, member of Board of Directors, 2022-present
Canadian Hard of Hearing Association, National Capital Region, member of Board of Directors, Past President, 2012 to 2014
Brain Injury Canada, member of Board of Directors, 2014-2016
Business Networking International, Member, BNI 212 Chapter and Former President of Network @ Noon Chapter, 2004 to 2013
Best Practices in Post Trauma Community Re-Integration Conference. Co-founded the conference in 2016 as the sole lawyer with three medical professionals. The conference has been held annually for four years for medical professionals and lawyers with 100 plus registrants each year until 2020. Responsibilities have including conference planning and marketing.
Canadian Access and Inclusion Project, Lawyers Panel, Legislation Recommendations, August 2017. Project provided recommendations to federal government on the barriers to people with disabilities and suggestions on how to eradicate them
Recipient of Gordon Henderson award in June 2022 by the Carleton County Law Association which is presented to a lawyer (including a retired lawyer, a judge, a former judge, or a paralegal) who has made a significant contribution to the welfare of the community by performing charitable services on behalf of the community
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