Vanessa Sundin, a Shasta County native, received her B.A. in English Literature and German from California State University, Chico. Vanessa received both her Juris Doctorate and LL.M. in Taxation from Golden Gate University School of Law. Prior to attending Law School, Vanessa earned her Series 7 and worked as a Registered Sales Associate with A.G. Edwards and Sons, Inc.

During her law school career, Vanessa was an active board member of both the Queer Law Students Association and the Golden Gate University School of Law chapter of the National Lawyers Guild. She also worked as a law clerk with the National Center for Lesbian Rights. During her LL.M. program, Vanessa worked as a law clerk with the DLKLawGroup.

Vanessa is a member of the American Bar Association, the Trusts and Estates Section of the California Bar Association, the Trusts and Estates Section of the Alameda County Bar Association, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, and Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom.

Vanessa lives in Oakland with her boyfriend, cat, and dog.