Vanessa L Brice

PERSONAL

Vanessa Brice was born and raised in Zimbabwe, Africa. She married her husband Autley Brice, a U.S. Marine as assigned to the US Embassy in Harare. Ms. Brice later emigrated to the United States after her husband received new orders. Ms. Brice and her husband have a daughter, Nyasha and a Yorkie named Theodore.  Ms. Brice is very active in her church community and when she isn’t singing with her family/worship ministry she can be found singing karaoke.  

Ms. Brice and her family were first stationed at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina and later at Parris Island, South Carolina, where her husband was a drill instructor. She worked as a paralegal in personal injury law firms in both North and South Carolina and later in Orlando, Florida, each move because of her husband’s military orders.

Ms. Brice became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2000.

PROFESSIONAL/EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Ms. Brice worked as a paralegal in several law firms and as the law firms’ main link to the clients and their families, Ms. Brice came into contact with so many families who were touched by injury or medical malpractice. Knowing she could do more to help those families, Ms. Brice attended undergraduate school at night, graduating in 2006 with a bachelor of science degree in business management and marketing (with honors).

In August 2006, Ms. Brice entered Florida A&M University Law School. She joined the firm as a summer clerk/intern in 2007 and continued to work with the firm throughout the rest of her time at law school. Ms. Brice graduated in May of 2009 and officially joined the firm as an attorney in August, 2009.

Before receiving her law degree, Ms. Brice worked as a personal injury paralegal for over 15 years where she specialized in litigation and trial support. With this wealth of experience, she brought a unique perspective to her position as an attorney. As the spouse of a veteran, she also has a special interest in helping veterans and has represented hundreds of Veterans, including presenting their cases to the Board of Veterans Appeals.

Ms. Brice has a keen interest in technology. With her background in computers, Ms. Brice has often been asked to lecture and demonstrate new trends in the use of technology in the courtroom and in mediation including how to conduct a paperless trial.

Ms. Brice has successfully pursued some unique claims including claims for vaccine-related injuries, claims for radiation exposure in deceased World War II Veterans, as well as a myriad of claims for service-connected disability in Veterans. She serves on the Florida Bar Military Affairs Committee as she joins the fight to keep Veterans issues in the spotlight.

Ms. Brice is admitted to practice in all courts within the State of Florida. She is licensed to practice before the United States District Courts for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida. She is also licensed to practice the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) and the United States Courts for Federal Claims, in Washington D.C. She is a Veterans Administration Accredited Attorney.

PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS

• Chair, Florida Justice Association Young Lawyers Section (2015-2016)
• Diversity Chair, Florida Justice Association (2016-2017)
• Board Member, Florida Justice Association (2016-2018)
• Board Member, Central Florida Trial Lawyers Association (2016-2017)
• Secretary, Central Florida Trial Lawyers Association (2018)
• Treasurer, Central Florida Trial Lawyers Association (2019)
• Vice President, Central Florida Trial Lawyers Association (2020)
• President, Central Florida Trial Lawyers Association (2021)
• Member, Florida Bar Military Affairs Committee (2014-2017)
• Committee Chair, Florida Bar Military Affairs Committee (2018-2019)
• Board Member, Heart 2 Heart Community Care Homes, (2014-2016)
• Chair of the Board, Heart 2 Heart Community Care Homes, (2016-2017)

AWARDS/RECOGNITION

• Million Dollar Advocates Forum
• Florida Trends Legal Elite (multiple awards)
• SuperLawyers (multiple awards)
• Florida Justice Association Rising Stars Award (2016)
• Clayton B. Burton Award of Excellence (2017)
• Florida Justice Association Pursuit of Diversity Award (2018)
• Professor Mickey Smiley Award (2021)