Vanassa Richards-Thompson is a Jamaican- born lawyer who immigrated to Canada in 2004. Vanassa practices in the are of family and child protection law. 

In 2021 Vanassa became the first-ever Black President of the Peel Law Association, one of the largest associations of lawyers in Canada.  In February 2023, Vanassa was appointed as Deputy Judge of the Superior Court of Justice for the Central West Region.  She has authored articles published in both the Jamaican and Canadian media and is an inspirational/motivational speaker and poet. Her first book, Poetry Poised to Promote was published in May 2024 and is available on Amazon. Vanassa is the recipient of several awards from the community and legal profession.

When not doing “legal work”, Vanassa is an avid walker, enjoys travelling to historical places, reading, decorating, listening to gospel music and spending time with her husband and two “miracle” boys.