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  1. People

Vanessa I. Gomez

Managing Associate
Cleveland
T.
216.363.4482
liamE
“I can rest assured that [Vanessa has] turned every stone and complete[d] thorough work.” – Benesch Client
“I can rest assured that [Vanessa has] turned every stone and complete[d] thorough work.” – Benesch Client

Vanessa counsels transportation and logistics industry service providers and commercial services users, steering them through legal and regulatory challenges during the movement of goods throughout the supply chain across the nation and throughout the world.

Representing U.S companies and global enterprises, Vanessa negotiates and structures contracts tailored to each transaction and her clients’ operational needs, overall business goals and risk profile. She counsels companies across the supply chain, assists with international transactions and ensures her clients meet their trade compliance obligations as they transact business globally.

Vanessa advises international shippers on tariffs, importing goods into the U.S. from foreign trade partners such as China, Mexico and Canada and exporting goods to other countries, such as Vietnam, India and China, ensuring her clients are complying with applicable import/export controls, customs regulations and trade restrictions. 

Clients also rely on Vanessa for guidance on buying and selling companies. She conducts transportation, logistics and trade-related diligence of mergers and acquisitions targets, helps resolve cross-border disputes, advises on pre- and post-close regulatory obligations and represents clients in government audits and investigations. Additionally, she helps clients obtain, convey and update licenses and permits, counsels operating authorities regarding regulated businesses and advises on corporate governance issues.

Fluent in English and Spanish and able to read French and Portuguese, Vanessa is an invaluable resource who can transact with Spanish-speaking clients and opposing parties on operations and transactions in their native language, translate legal documents and provide culturally sensitive advice. Her skills have proven crucial in navigating the complex legal landscapes of cross-border trade. 

Before joining Benesch, Vanessa earned an MBA and was a co-founder and co-president of a startup transport and logistics company where she focused on strategy. She brings an entrepreneur’s operator’s perspective, advising on legal, regulatory and business matters based on real-world, firsthand experience. 

With long-established close ties with industry players, Vanessa stays current on the issues, challenges, regulatory changes and legal considerations impacting her clients and the sector.

Representative Experience:

  • Represented a landlord in leasing an entire six-story building (214,560 rentable square feet of premises) in Northbrook, Illinois, to the healthcare industry’s largest medical-surgical product manufacturer and supply chain provider.
  • Represented a private equity buyer in its acquisition of a wholesale distributor of pipes, valves and fittings.
  • Represented Loar Holdings Inc., a diversified manufacturer and supplier of niche aerospace and defense components, in its acquisition of Applied Avionics, Inc., a manufacturer of highly engineered avionics interface solutions catering to the aviation industry, valued at $385 million.
  • Successfully defended a client importer accused of unlawful importation to resolve a civil penalty case before U.S. Customs and Border Protection with over $200,000 in cost savings.
  • Represented a global leader in labeling and packaging materials in its acquisition of a leading provider of sports apparel customization & retail experience technology.

Representative Experience

  • Represented a Landlord for the lease of an entire six-story building (214,560 rentable square feet of premises) in Northbrook, Illinois, to the healthcare industry’s largest medical-surgical product manufacturer and supply chain provider.
  • Represented a private equity buyer in its acquisition of a wholesale distributor of pipes, valves, and fittings.
  • Represented Loar Holdings Inc., a diversified manufacturer and supplier of niche aerospace and defense components, in its acquisition of Applied Avionics, Inc., a manufacturer of highly engineered avionics interface solutions catering to the aviation industry, valued at $385 million.
  • Successfully defended a client importer accused of unlawful importation to resolve a civil penalty case before U.S. Customs and Border Protection with over $200,000 in cost savings.
  • Represented a global leader in labeling and packaging materials in its acquisition of a leading provider of sports apparel customization & retail experience technology.
  • Litigation
  • Corporate & Securities
  • Contract Preparation, Negotiation & Compliance
  • Corporate Compliance & Regulatory Enforcement
  • Global Transactions
  • Regulatory Enforcement/Advocacy
  • Transportation & Logistics
  • International Trade & Supply Chain Management
  • Air Transportation
  • Corporate Structure
  • Food & Beverage
  • General Transportation
  • Manufacturing
  • Dispute Resolution
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Maritime Transportation
  • Operating Relationships
  • Retail & E-Commerce
  • Cleveland State University College of Law, J.D.
    • Dean’s List
    • Dean’s Leadership Fellow
    • Student Bar Association, Senator
    • Thurgood Marshall Moot Court Team, 2020-2021 National Champion; 2019-2020 Regional Champion
  • Cleveland State University, Ahuja College of Business, M.B.A.
  • Boston College, B.A., Philosophy
    • Minors in Management & Leadership and African Diaspora Studies
    • Undergraduate Government of Boston College, Senate President 2011-2013; Member 2009-2011
    • Sesquicentennial Planning Committee, Class Representative 2009-2013
  • Ohio
  • Recipient, Top Author Award, JD Supra Readers' Choice Awards, 2025
  • Member, American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS)
  • Member, American Trucking Association (ATA)
  • Member, Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP)
  • Member, Member, Institute for Supply Chain Management (ISM)
  • Member, National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA)
  • Member, National Private Truck Council (NPTC)
  • Member, Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA)
  • Member, Transportation Lawyers Association (TLA)
  • Member, Women in Trucking Association (WIT)

Highlights

Articles and Presentations
July 15, 2025
Chicago Vice – Navigating Risk in Transit: Legal Insights on the Storage and Transport of Cannabis, Hemp, Alcohol, Hazmats and Munitions (Including Tariff Implications)
June 20, 2025
Navigating Trump's Tariffs | Jonathan R. Todd, Megan K. MacCallum, Vanessa I. Gomez
June 12, 2025
InterConnect Newsletter - Q2 2025

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News
June 5, 2025
Megan MacCallum and Vanessa Gomez Elected to Cleveland Chapter Board for Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals
June 1, 2025
Jonathan Todd, Megan MacCallum and Vanessa Gomez Featured in Inside Supply Management for ISM World 2025 Trade Compliance Presentation
March 3, 2025
Jonathan Todd and Vanessa Gomez Earn 2025 JD Supra Readers’ Choice Awards

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