Raised on Staten Island, Marissa graduated from Susan E. Wagner High School and received her Bachelor of the Arts in Criminal Justice in 2007 from The George Washington University. Marissa attended New York Law School and graduated with a Juris Doctor in 2010. Marissa was admitted to practice law in New York in 2012.

Marissa is a member of the Richmond County Bar Association, New York State Bar Association, and New York County Bar Association. Marissa is also a member of the Alpha Phi International Women’s Fraternity.

Marissa is an active volunteer with the New York City Shiba Inu rescue, where she helps foster and rescue dogs find their forever homes and reunite lost dogs with their families. Marissa has been appointed as a Court Evaluator in guardianship cases for the Supreme Court of New York.