Vanessa C. Richardson

Vanessa Richardson is a partner in Willkie’s Litigation Department. She maintains a comprehensive practice spanning the full range of complex financial litigation issues, including M&A-related claims, securities class actions, shareholder derivative claims, domestic arbitration and other forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). 

Vanessa has represented public and private corporations, boards of directors, individual directors and officers, and underwriting syndicates in federal and state courts across the country, including the Delaware Court of Chancery and the New York State Commercial Division.  She regularly advises senior executives and boards of directors on corporate governance matters, particularly those involving mergers and acquisitions, and has represented investors and corporations in connection with activist matters and proxy contests.  She also serves as counsel to independent audit and special litigation committees in the context of conducting internal investigations or responding to stockholder demands.

Vanessa frequently collaborates with members of the Firm’s Private Equity and M&A practice groups in representing both PE firms and their portfolio companies, as well as with members of the Firm’s Asset Management and Registered Funds practice groups in representing investment companies and advisors.

Vanessa was recognized by the 2025 and 2026 Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation Lawyers guides for her work in the Litigation and Financial fields.

Before joining Willkie, Vanessa served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Leo E. Strine, Jr. on the Delaware Supreme Court and the Delaware Court of Chancery. A proud first-generation lawyer, she is an active member of Willkie’s First Generation Professionals Affinity Group.