A native of Toronto, Canada, Marissa graduated from Huron College at the University of Western Ontario with a B.A., in Psychology in 2008. Marissa decided to attend law school following her experiences as an intern on a secure Forensic Mental Health Unit at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto during college. Marissa relocated to Florida where she completed her J.D., on an expedited schedule at the Barry University School of Law in 2012. At Barry, Marissa was a member of the Association of Counsel for Children and focused her studies in the area of Family Law. Marissa was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2013. After relocating to Charleston, South Carolina in late 2013, Marissa began working as Pro Bono Coordinator at Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services, Inc., while also clerking for the Murphy Law Firm. Marissa was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 2015 and is now an Associate Attorney at the Murphy Law Firm.