M. Vanessa Favia​

Vanessa Favia earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Iowa where she majored in Communication Studies and Sociology.  After graduating with honors, she went on to receive her Juris Doctorate from Drake University School of Law in Des Moines, Iowa, where she also received a certification in litigation and dispute resolution.  During her tenure in law school, she clerked at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa, the Iowa Attorney General's Office, the Polk County Prosecutor's Office, and the Youth Law Center.

 

Since being admitted to the Illinois Bar and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Vanessa has focused her career on criminal law- both prosecution and defense, family law and personal injury.   Ms. Favia is also a court appointed special advocate (CASA) in DuPage County, a volunteer position where she does her part to help abused and neglected children in the juvenile court system.

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Areas of Practice

• Criminal Law

• Family

• Real Estate

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Bar Admissions

• Illinois, 2005

• U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 2005

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Education

• Drake University Law School, Des Moines, Iowa

  • J.D. - 2004

  • Honors: With Honors

  • Honors: Certification in Litigation and Dispute Resolution

  • Honors: U.S. Attorney’s office for the Southern District of Iowa, Clerk

  • Honors: Iowa Attorney General’s Office, Clerk

  • Honors: Polk County Prosecutor’s Office, Clerk

  • Honors: Youth Law Center, Clerk

• University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa

  • Bachelor of Arts - 2001

  • Honors: With Honors

  • Major: Sociology and Communication Studies

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Honors and Awards

• Certification in Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Professional Associations and Memberships

• American Bar Association

• Illinois State Bar Association

• DuPage County Bar Association

• Chicago Bar Association

• Kane County Bar Association

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Pro Bono Activities

• CASA of DuPage County, Court Appointed Special Advocate, 2010 - Present

• Christian Legal Society

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Fraternities/Sororities

• Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity