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Biography

Joanne represents employers in all phases of workers’ compensation matters including administrative hearings and judicial matters before various levels of Ohio state courts. She counsels employers regarding the administration and defense of workers’ compensation claims, claims management and cost containment, accident investigation and reporting, violation of specific safety requirement (VSSR) claims, premium and group ratings, attaining and maintaining self-insured status, subrogation, workers’ compensation retaliation and other related matters. She also defends employers in post-administrative litigation in common pleas courts throughout Ohio. Joanne is also admitted in Kentucky. She has counseled Kentucky employers in the administration and defense of its workers’ compensation claims and has represented employers at various administrative proceedings in Kentucky.

Joanne’s Workers’ Compensation practice includes working with employers to:

  • Effectively navigate the interrelationship of the FMLA, ADA and Workers’ Comp retaliation laws
  • Create manageable reporting policies and provide supervisor training.
  • Resolve concerns regarding discipline of employees with active workers’ compensation claims.
  • Improve internal investigation and documentation protocols to identify root cause and reduce accidents.

Joanne’s work as coordinator of the Cincinnati Marketing Initiatives has provided her many opportunities to meet with clients and potential clients to learn more about their industries, pressure points, and hot topics.  Her work with ACI has afforded the opportunity to further support the American Heart Association. With this opportunity she has been able to assist in raising funds and awareness, hopefully improving the health of family, friends and clients.

Other Info About Joanne

Experience

Legal Work Highlights

Prevailing for Employer in Firefighter Cancer Claims

Obtaining both bench and jury verdicts for Employers in Workers’ Compensation Claims

Obtained Summary Judgement on Course and Scope Issue.

Successfully defended idiopathic and course/scope claims for Employer.

Prevailed on multiple VSSR claims for Employers.

Successfully mediated multiple Ohio and Kentucky Workers’ Compensation Claims.

Education

Law School

Chase College of Law, J.D., 1994

Undergraduate School

Xavier University, B.A., 1991

Bar Memberships

Joanne is licensed to practice in the following state(s):

Ohio, 1994

Kentucky, 1995

Recognition

Local & National Recognition

OSBA Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialist, 2006 – present

CBA 2009 John Warrington Community Service Award recipient

Cincinnati Magazine’s Super Lawyers for 2010 – present

Business Courier’s “40 under 40” class of 2007

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell®

Selected for Inclusion in Ohio Super Lawyers®, 2010 – 2015, 2020 – 2021

Professional Affiliations

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

Cincinnati Bar Association, Workers’ Compensation Committee; Labor & Employment Section; Member, Community Service Committee

Ohio State Bar Association, Member, Workers’ Compensation Committee, Member; Labor & Employment Section

Kentucky Bar Association, Workers’ Compensation & Labor Section

Northern Kentucky Bar Association, Workers’ Compensation Committee

Southwest Ohio Self-Insured Association, Member

Allied Construction Industry Committee, Member

Ohio Self-Insured Association, Member

Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Member

Allied Construction Industry, Member

Civic Activities

Civic & Charitable Organizations

Transitions, Former Board Member and Volunteer

Pro Bono Work Pro Seniors and Pro Bono Partnership

Swim America Instructor “Learn To Swim” Program

Hoxworth, Aphresis/Blood Donor

American Heart Association, Committee Member and Firm Chair

Firm Committees

Joanne serves or has served in the following leadership role(s) at Frost Brown Todd:

Community Outreach Committee, Cincinnati Office

Presentations

Joanne was invited to speak at the following events:

Workers’ Compensation Case Law Updates

Workers’ Compensation Overview

Recent Developments in Workers’ Compensation

Claim Investigation and Training

Claim Management Best Practices

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