Ranissa was born and raised in Indianapolis on the west side of town and is a graduate of Arsenal Technical High School. She completed her undergraduate studies at Purdue University, West Lafayette and earned her Juris Doctorate from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in 2016. She began her legal career as a Marion County Public Defender, and subsequently started a private practice in Criminal Defense. After a successful career in criminal defense work, Ranissa switched gears and joined the Johnson County Prosecutor’s Office, where she prosecuted major felony domestic violence and sex crimes. She is now the Associate General Counsel for American Senior Communities.
Ranissa is very active in the Indianapolis legal community. She is a life member of the Marion County Bar Association, where she has held positions on the Board of Directors and as Corresponding Secretary. She is also actively involved in the Indianapolis Bar Association where she currently serves as the Inclusion and Accountability Director. She is a member of the Indianapolis Bar Association’s Bar Leaders Series Class XVIII for the year 2021 and has also been a participant of the Women’s Fund of Indianapolis’ Executive Women of Color Leadership Program. Additionally, Ranissa is an adjunct professor at her alma mater (McKinney School of Law), where she teaches Criminal Procedure Advocacy Skills. Ranissa is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Ranissa and her husband James currently reside in Lawrence Township with their daughter, Justice.