Vanessa Harris Gross

Wagstaff & Cartmell

Vanessa Gross brings nearly two decades of civil litigation experience to her practice, with a proven record of success in both state and federal courts on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants alike. She has been selected for membership with the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers for four consecutive years – 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.

Today, Vanessa’s practice is devoted exclusively to representing plaintiffs – individuals and families who have suffered serious personal injuries or wrongful death. She has served hundreds of clients in mass tort litigation across the country, with experience in pharmaceutical, medical device, consumer product, and toxic tort matters. Her work has included representation of individuals harmed by Pelvic Mesh Repair System products, Talcum Powder, Xarelto, Zantac, Roundup, and contaminated water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. She also is actively involved in the Chemical Hair Relaxer litigation, where she has been appointed by the Honorable Mary M. Rowland to serve on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in that MDL.

Earlier in her career, Vanessa spent a decade defending hospitals, physicians, nurses, dentists, and other healthcare providers in medical malpractice matters. She also represented licensed professionals in proceedings before the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts, the Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts, and various state Dental Boards – experience that gives her a uniquely well-rounded perspective in complex health-related litigation. Her practice has further encompassed appellate work, including briefing before various appellate courts and oral argument before the Missouri Court of Appeals.

A Jacksonville, Florida native, Vanessa earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and her law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School. She began her legal career at Wagstaff & Cartmell in Kansas City, where she practiced for 14 years before returning to her hometown. She continues to practice with Wagstaff & Cartmell, representing clients from across the nation.