A passionate trial attorney, Joe brought his history of loyal dedication to public service to the Indiana Federal Community Defender’s Office in 2012. Upon graduation from law school, Joe joined the Indiana State Public Defenders Office where he specialized in post-conviction relief in death penalty cases. Spurred on by this experience, Joe started his own practice in 1995 which focused exclusively on criminal defense work. Joe has broad criminal experience ranging from criminal trials and appeals to post-conviction and habeas corpus work.
In 2000, Joe took on a habeas corpus case for Jerry Watkins. Charged with the death penalty and convicted in 1986, Jerry maintained his innocence. Joe’s passionate advocacy led to charges being dropped, Jerry’s exoneration, and release from prison in 2000. For more on the Jerry Watkins case, see: http://www.innocenceproject.org/Content/Jerry_Watkins.php. The Watkins case followed a long line of Joe’s high profile appellate reversals of death sentences in the Indiana State Court system.
At the IFCD Joe has continued his history of zealous advocacy, notably winning a reversal based on prosecutorial misconduct after discovering the government’s failure to disclose exculpatory evidence.
An avid cycler, pleasant weather finds Joe biking to and from work. Weekends will often find him cheering on his beloved Notre Dame and spending time with his family.