Vanessa I. Peake

About Vanessa

Vanessa Peake represents the pinnacle of perseverance and skill in New Mexico family law. Born and raised in Mérida, Mexico, Vanessa relocated to the United States at age 21. Her journey — mastering a second language while simultaneously conquering the rigors of the American legal system — forged the discipline and tenacity that now define her practice.

Vanessa understands what it takes to protect families in crisis, because she’s spent her career doing exactly that. As one of New Mexico’s most trusted Spanish-speaking family law attorneys, she brings both deep legal knowledge and invaluable cultural understanding to every case. She navigates the complex social and familial dynamics of the Spanish-speaking community with an intuition that non-native peers simply cannot replicate.

Leveraging her background in Psychology, Vanessa operates at the intersection of human emotion and legal logic. She is skilled in de-escalating high-conflict disputes, utilizing psychological reframing to dismantle "immovable" emotional barriers. By shifting the focus from the trauma of the past to the possibilities of the future, she guides her clients through the system with a "minimal harm" philosophy, prioritizing logical settlements over the scorched-earth tactics that exhaust both finances and families.

Vanessa’s authority was cemented during her tenure as the Legal Director of Enlace Comunitario, New Mexico’s premier organization for Spanish-speaking survivors of domestic violence. There, she managed the most sensitive legal crises in the state, from complex protection orders to intricate custody battles. Before co-founding Peake Law Firm in 2010 with her husband, Jonathan, Vanessa led this organization with a mission to help survivors obtain divorces, custody arrangements, and restraining orders. This same dedication defines her private practice today.

This commitment to the community continues through her work as a featured educator on Telemundo, where she serves as a trusted voice, demystifying the law for thousands of viewers.

While Vanessa is the undisputed choice for the Spanish-speaking community, her practice serves diverse, and often high-net-worth, clientele. Her capabilities spans the full spectrum of family law, including:

• International Custody Disputes: Navigating jurisdictional complexities with surgical precision.
• High-Asset Divisions: Ensuring equitable and strategic distribution of complex estates.
• Child-Centric Litigation: Redirecting parental conflict toward the long-term well-being of the children.

An Uncompromising Ethical Standard Vanessa is known for her candor and strategic integrity. She refuses to file and profit from frivolous motions or indulge a client’s impulses. Instead, she acts as a steady hand, doing only what is in the client’s absolute best interest.

In partnership with her husband, Jonathan Peake, Vanessa ensures that clients facing the overlap of criminal and family law receive a sophisticated, two-pronged defense. She doesn't just represent clients; she restores their peace of mind and lays a foundation for their new beginning.

For dedicated family law services, visit Vanessa’s website.

Experience

• 10+ years of experience in family law practice
• Former Legal Director - New Mexico's Largest Domestic Violence Non-Profit
• Founding Partner - Peake Law Firm (2010-Present)
• Extensive experience in divorce, child custody, and restraining order cases
• Skill in international custody disputes, high-asset divisions, and child-centric litigation
• Native Spanish-speaking specialist
• Background in Psychology, specializing in de-escalating high-conflict disputes with a "minimal harm" philosophy
• Featured legal educator on Telemundo, demystifying family law for thousands of viewers

Education

• University of New Mexico - psychology degree - 2009-2012
• University of New Mexico School of Law - 2012-2015

Bar Admissions

• State Bar of New Mexico

Recognition

• One of the state's only Spanish-speaking family law attorneys
• Former domestic violence advocate with deep community connections
• Known for compassionate representation combined with strong advocacy

Professional Achievements

• Former President of the Mexican American Law Student Association