Before attending law school, Joanne worked at the Department of Family and Protective Services for three years in the Child Protective Services unit, advocating for abused children in CPS custody. Joanne assessed the risk and safety issues of parents and guardians to achieve protection or permanent placement plans. She worked with this interest in mind for another four years as an Advocate Coordinator at Child Advocates in Houston, an organization dedicated to the safe placement of Houston's most severely abused children.

With an insider’s insight into the guardianship process and a keen understanding of the need for child advocates in Texas, this was one of the biggest reasons Joanne chose to attend law school. During law school, she served as vice-president of the African Law Student Organization and was featured on the Dean’s List several times. Joanne’s experience as a family law attorney started at Houston’s Lone State Legal Aid, the fourth largest service provider of free legal services in the United States. During this time, she represented clients both in and out of the courtroom in contested cases dealing with divorces, modifications, child custody, terminations of parental rights, SAPCRs actions, and enforcements.

Joanne is an active member of many professional organizations, as well as the Houston community. She regularly participates in holiday charity events and student mentorship programs.

When Joanne is not working with clients she loves to travel or is completely working with her side passion of doing makeup and styling friends and loved ones. She is a lover of life and loves spending time with her family and friends.