Joanna Bryn Smith, Esq. began her career representing indigent defendants in prison disciplinary appeals at Rikers Island prison and Main Street Legal Services in New York City. She then served as a judicial law clerk for the presiding President Family Court Judge in Northern New Jersey.

After her clerkship, Joanna served as a Conflict Council attorney in Luzerne County, where she represented indigent defendants in criminal matters ranging from low level misdemeanors to high level felonies, including homicide trials. Through this employment, she argued before the Pennsylvania State and Supreme Courts. She also served as public defender in Columbia County, handling a caseload of hundreds of cases, also ranging from low level misdemeanors to high level felonies., including homicides.

She has also served as a pro bono attorney for The Domestic Violence Service Center and the Barbara J. Hart Justice Center at the Women’s Resource Center in Scranton, Pennsylvania. In her work with these organizations, she represented victims of domestic violence in Protection from Abuse, child custody and divorce matters.

Due to her work in public legal services, she has accumulated a vast amount a trial and in-court experience, providing her with the hands-on experience needed to be ready to fight for your case.

Joanna is a graduate of Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia in 2009 with a double major in Philosophy Fine and Performing Arts, with a minor in Italian. She then graduated from City University of New York in Long Island , Queens, as a graduate of their nationally renowned Defender Clinic.

In addition to her legal work, Joanna works diligently in the community with many non-profit organizations such as Leadership Northeast, the Fine Arts Fiesta , The Choral Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania and Valley Santa. She is honored to be serving her first term as a member of the Luzerne County Council, the governing and legislative body of Luzerne County.

Additionally, Joanna is a classically trained musician, working with numerous groups to help provide music education to underprivileged children. She resides in Wyoming with her partner, Jose, and their cats.