Biography
Joanne has been a practicing attorney for more than 25 years and specializes in elder law, Medicaid and nursing home asset evaluation and assistance, probate, trusts, and powers of attorney. She thrives on helping her clients better prepare for their own futures.
Joanne was raised in a farming community and now resides in Waukesha with her husband, two dogs and a cat. She is a lifelong equestrienne and owns a naughty, but cute, thoroughbred named Tucker. She enjoys camping ‘up north’ near the Hayward area, where she vacations during the summers and sometimes is ambitious enough to fish for musky with her husband (unless there’s a good book waiting to be read). Joanne loves a good fish fry. (Right now, the 5 O’clock Club is her favorite for a fish fry, but she is always looking for new places to add to her list!)
LICENSING AND EDUCATION
- US Department of Veterans Affairs Attorney Accreditation – 2010
- J.D. – John Marshall Law School, Chicago – 1995
- Licensed: State of Wisconsin – 1996
- Licensed: State of Illinois – 1995
- B.S. Western Illinois University – 1984
- Associate Degree – Paralegal Studies – 1985
ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
- Author: The Little Book of Big Tips: The Veterans Pension Benefit Handbook for Seniors and their Families (2011)
- Chosen by Milwaukee’s Lifestyle Magazine (“M Magazine”) as a “Leading Lawyer” in the greater Milwaukee area; 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015
- Faculty Member: State Bar of Wisconsin, Continuing Legal Education Seminar on WisPACT Pooled Special Needs Trusts (2014)
- Chair of the Board of Directors (2017) Wispact, Inc., Pooled Special Needs Trusts for the Disabled Non-Profit Organization
- Member, Wispact, Inc., Board of Directors (2015-2018)
- Past President: Waukesha County Bar Association Probate & Estate Planning Section – 07-08, 08-09, 09-10, 10-11, 11-12
- Member: National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) – 1/11 to present
- Board Member, State Bar of Wisconsin, Elder Law and Special Needs Section (July, 2016 to June, 2019)
- Member: Pewaukee Chamber of Commerce – 3/10 to 12/13
- Member: Wisconsin Bar Association
- Member: Waukesha County Bar Association
- Member: Milwaukee County Bar Association
- Member: Association for Women Lawyers
- Former Board Member – Girl Scouts, Great Blue Heron Council
- Former Board Member – Waukesha County Commission on Aging – 04-07
- Former Board Member – Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Waukesha County (RSVP) – 03-05
- Mock Trial Judge for the Wisconsin High School Competition – 01-03
- Speaking Engagements: Volunteer speaker on various legal topics – including churches, Waukesha County, funeral homes, and community organizations (see below for most recent)