Our Team
We bring different perspectives to the table, but we’re united by a love for purposeful work, thoughtful design, and real connection.
Vanessa Branon Kittell, Esq.
Vanessa Branon Kittell, a seventh-generation Vermonter, grew up in Fairfield, Vermont. In 1996 she graduated from Reed College in Portland, Oregon. From 1999 into 2001, Vanessa served as a speechwriter to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, Donna Shalala, as an appointee in the Clinton Administration.
Vanessa holds a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School as well as a Master's Degree in Bioethics from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. She served as a Vermont State Trial Court law clerk from 2006 to 2008 and then joined Kissane Associates in St. Albans, Vermont.
In 2014, she launched her own law practice, VBK Law, a civil trial practice offering representation for injured Vermonters. Today this law firm has grown to four lawyers with an emphasis on civil trial work and excellent client services.
Among other leadership positions, Vanessa served as the President of the Vermont Association for Justice from 2015-2016 as well as the Franklin County Bar Association, and 2016 Chair of Vermont's State Board of Transportation. Her present service includes Board Member of the Town of Fairfield Planning Commission and Zoning Board, Board Member of Vermont's northern rural healthcare provider, NOTCH, and the Town of Fairfield's Town Meeting Day Moderator.
Presently, Vanessa lives in her hometown of Fairfield with her husband where they enjoy spending winters cross-country skiing in their sugar woods and their summers on Lake Champlain.
Frances Leavitt, Esq.
Frances Leavitt is an associate attorney at the firm. She represents individuals in personal injury cases; family law matters and estate planning and administration.
Fran joined the firm in 2018 and completed the Vermont Law Office Study Program under the supervision of Attorney Vanessa Kittell. She joined the firm as an associate attorney upon completion of the Vermont Bar Exam in 2023.
Fran is a member of the Vermont Bar Association, serves as Secretary of the Vermont Association for Justice and is a member of the Central Vermont American Inns of Court. She also serves on the Board of the Hazen's Notch Conservation Trust and is a volunteer member of the Jay Peak Ski Patrol.
Prior to joining Vanessa B. Kittell, Attorneys at Law, PLLC., Fran worked as a research scientist in Xiamen, China; as an instructor at the National Outdoor Leadership School; as an Assistant Town Clerk and as a sled dog musher in Northern Canada. She completed a Bachelor's of Science from Dalhousie University in Halifax, NS and a Master's in Environmental Science from the University of Quebec in Montreal.
Fran's love of the outdoors led her to the woods and mountains of Vermont, where she settled with her husband and their son on the shores of the North Branch of the Lamoille River. When out of the office, Fran can be found hiking, paddling or skiing throughout Northern Vermont.
Rachel Trow, Esq.
Rachel Trow earned a Bachelor's of Arts in philosophy from SUNY Purchase College. She later earned a paralegal certification. In 2019, Rachel moved from New York metropolitan area to Vermont to read the law. She graduated from the Law Office Study Program in September 2023, took the bar exam, and was sworn into practice in May 2024.
Rachel serves on the board of the Vermont Bar Foundation. She is passionate about expanding access to justice in underserved communities.
In her free time, Rachel enjoys cross-country skiing and going to live concerts and theatre productions. She lives in Chittenden County with her husband and cats.
Jennifer Horton, Office Manager
Jennifer joined VBK Law in 2001. She began her career as the office's sole assistant and, through her dedication and hard work, has grown into the role of Office Manager. In addition to overseeing the office's bookkeeping, she also assists with cases and plays an important role in the day-to-day operations of the practice. Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her two daughters.