---
title: "Vanessa Ruiz | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/vanessa-ruiz-6797"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-09"
---

# Vanessa Ruiz

District of Columbia Court of Appeals · Judge

## Profile

- Court: District of Columbia Court of Appeals
- State: District of Columbia
- Role: Judge
- Service status: former
- Last verified: 2026-08-22

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, District of Columbia Court of Appeals, 1994-present
- to public service, in 1991, Judge Ruiz joined the Office of Corporation Counsel for the District of Columbia (now Office of the D.C. Attorney General) as Deputy in charge of the Legal Counsel Division, rising to Principal Deputy in 1993, and Corporation Counsel in 1994
- In 1991, Ruiz joined the Office of Corporation Counsel for the District of Columbia, where she served until joining the court in 1994

### Education

- Georgetown University Law Center — J.D. (1975)
- Wellesley College

### Additional information

- Practitioner, 1993-1993
- Date of birth: 1950-03-22
- worked as in-house Senior Counsel at Sears World Trade, Inc
- Ruiz spent much of her legal career in private practice
- From there, she was appointed to the court
- Birth place: San Juan

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6797/vanessa-ruiz/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6797/vanessa-ruiz/)
- [District of Columbia Court of Appeals current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6797/vanessa-ruiz/)
- [FY 2027 Budget Justification](https://www.dccourts.gov/sites/default/files/matters-docs/FY-2027-Budget-Justification.pdf)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6797/vanessa-ruiz/)
- [Ruiz, Vanessa | District of Columbia Courts](https://www.dccourts.gov/court-of-appeals/court-of-appeals-judges/ruiz-vanessa)
- [Vanessa Ruiz](https://ballotpedia.org/Vanessa_Ruiz)
- [Wikidata: Vanessa Ruiz](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7914706)

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