Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Probate and Trusts by the Ohio State Bar Association (January 1, 2006 to present); a VA accredited attorney with the Department of Veterans Affairs; and an IRS Certified Volunteer in Income Tax Assistance & Tax Counseling for Elderly (VITA) for tax years 2007-2016; and .

Joanne received her Juris Doctorate from Cleveland Marshall School of Law in 1979. She has been in private practice since 1989, concentrating in the areas of estate planning, probate, tax, and real estate.

Her memberships include the Ohio State Bar Association (member of Probate, Elder Law and Real Estate committees); the Toledo Bar Association (member of the Probate Court & Elder Law, and Real Estate committees); and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA).

She has presented a number of Continuing Legal Education seminars for attorneys on probate and estate planning matters.

She loves speaking to groups on estate planning issues, and is usually available at no charge for presentations to 10 or more people.