Vanessa S. Phillips, Esq. Email & Phone Number

Philadelphia, Pa, Us

New Castle, De

Appointed as Chief Administrative Officer for New Castle County in January 2018 to serve as second-in-command to the County Executive. Prior to this appointment, for approximately one year, Vanessa served as an appointed Cabinet member for the Matt Meyer Administration, and was confirmed by the County Council, to serve as the Executive Manager for all human resources functions for the New Castle County Police Department, 911 Communications, Emergency Medical Services, Sheriff's Office, Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills, Sewers and Public Works, Housing, Community Services, Administration, and Land Use Department.

As Director of Administration for the Delaware Department Labor (DOL), Vanessa served as Deputy Secretary of Labor and directed the operations for several divisions within the agency, including Human Resources, Information Technology, Graphics and Printing, Security, and Facilities, while providing direction for the agency's workforce and managing DOL's strategic and systematic approach to achieving the organization’s vision, mission, and goals.As Human Resources Director for the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), Vanessa advised the organization’s executive management team on the appropriate course of action for all matters concerning labor and employee relations, State merit rules, policies and procedures, government regulations, and contracts.Managed all labor relations activities for DOL and DelDOT, including disciplinary actions, grievances, disputes regarding collective bargaining agreements, and negotiations with Unions; and manages all matters related to employee relations and Equal Employment Opportunity.Ensured compliance with Federal and State laws, regulations, State merit rules, collective bargaining agreements, and departmental policies and procedures.Drafted and updated internal policies and written communications which pose complex factual and legal questions.Conducted comprehensive legal research and provides findings on established precedent, applicable state and federal laws, rules, regulations, and contracts.

Public Safety Division - Criminal Section

Independently managed a high-volume caseload of criminal cases through making charging decisions; responding to discovery requests; meeting critical deadlines at different stages of prosecution; and taking cases to trial.As the sole government fraud prosecutor, I conducted legal research and provided written case evaluations to the Deputy Attorney General on potential fraud charges for time and attendance fraud, election fraud, false claims, and false representation cases.As a line attorney, I presented criminal cases before Judges in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia.Appointed as a Special Assistant United States Attorney to prosecute various fraud matters under the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.Voluntarily served as a hearing officer for numerous administrative, disciplinary, and grievance hearings.Awarded the District of Columbia Medal of Merit for outstanding performance in 2009, District of Columbia Government Service Award in 2010, and OAG Team Spirit Award in 2011.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Managed the electronic document review process for high-profile cases in the Government Affairs Section. Conducted legal research and provided legal advice to clients.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Assigned to the Office of the General Counsel as a Legal Advisor and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Officer. Worked closely with the Public Information Office and the Office of the Chief of Police to provide legal advice on law enforcement matters.

Juris Doctor, Law

University of Maryland Clinical Law Program University of Maryland Association of Legislative Law ASPER Fellowship with the United States.

Master Of Business Administration (Mba), Organizational Leadership

Bachelor Of Science, Leadership & Consumer Economics

Activities and Societies: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.University Merit Scholar Appellate Board for Judicial Affairs Student Alcohol.