Joe is an experienced trial lawyer skilled in complex criminal, business and commercial litigation and appellate practice.
He employs his strong personal, professional and academic experience in the service of his clients every day. Having excelled in all phases of his career, Joe has established himself as a strong, effective advocate who gets results for those whom he represents. In addition to his exceptional qualifications, he consistently helps his clients see the big picture and provides honest, solid, accurate, and common sense advice that can be invaluable to clients who are often involved in difficult times.
His criminal experience includes handling all phases of cases at every level of the court system from minor offenses and drunk driving, to major felonies including first degree murder. He has tried more than 80 cases to jury verdict. His non-jury trial experience includes bench trials, evidentiary hearings, and substantial motion practice, as well as representing individuals and entities in the pre-charging investigatory stages of proceedings.
His business and commercial litigation experience include both transactional matters and lawsuits on behalf of high profile as well as individually owned companies and individuals in a variety of matters including complex commercial issues, shareholder disputes, unfair trade practices, breach of contract, defamation, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud and insurance cases.
His other litigation experience includes handling both criminal and civil appeals, personal protection order matters, cases seeking injunctive relief, and a variety of other cases including arbitrations and facilitations before retired judges and other senior practitioners, as well as alternative dispute resolution.
Prior to opening his own firm, Joe was an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Oakland County and a commercial litigation attorney for Maddin, Hauser, Wartell, Roth, Heller & Pesses, P.C.
Education
- University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 1996
- Michigan State University, B.A., 1993
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
- United States Supreme Court
- United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
- All Michigan courts
Honors
- Michigan Super Lawyers, Criminal Defense
- AV/Preeminent Rating (Martindale Hubbell)
- National Association of Distinguished Counsel (selected among top 1% of attorneys in the United States following review by attorneys and judicial review board)
- Avvo Perfect 10.0 / Superb rating (Criminal Defense, DUI, Juvenile, Business, and Litigation)
- Distinguished Service Award (Oakland County Prosecuting Attorney)
Professional and Academic Activities (past and present)
- Past Chair, Criminal Law Committee, Oakland County Bar Association (2011-2012)
- Defense Advisor, Sobriety Court, 51st District Court (2003-present)
- Master, American Inn of Court, Oakland County Bar Association (2014-present) (credential based selection; by invitation only). Also served as an Associate 2002-2006.
- Criminal Assignment Committee, Oakland County Circuit Court (2011-2013) (by appointment; oversees the court-appointed attorney system in Oakland County Circuit Court)
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan
- Oakland County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (2011-2012) (by appointment; organization to manage jail overcrowding, pre-trial risk assessment, and alternative disposition programs)
- State Bar of Michigan
- Criminal Law Section
- Business Law Section
- Oakland County Bar Association
- Scribes–The American Society of Writers on Legal Subjects (requires multiple legal article authorships; by invitation only)
- National District Attorneys Association
- National College of District Attorneys
- Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan
- Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities (credential based selection; by invitation only)
- Who’s Who: American Law Students (credential based selection; by invitation only)
Community
- Life Fellow, Oakland County Bar Foundation (by invitation only; open to no more than 5% of practicing attorneys)
- Secretary, Board of Directors, Building Bridges of Hope, Inc.
- Knights of Columbus (former officer; previously Knight of the Year)
- Archdiocese of Detroit Archives Advisory Committee
- University of Detroit Mercy School of Law Alumni Association
- Life Member, Michigan State University Alumni Association
- Elementary Mock Trial Liason, John F. Kennedy Elementary School, Ferndale, Michigan
