Josephine (Jo) focuses her practice on commercial litigation and construction law. Jo is a trial lawyer focused on high-stakes litigation in state and federal courts, administrative forums, and before arbitration panels. She knows that no two cases are alike and no one answer can solve a client’s concerns. Jo knows that the best resolution for a client comes after listening to their concerns, identifying their problems, and actively working collaboratively to find the best resolution to advance her client’s broader business goals.
Jo focuses her construction practice on real estate developers, project owners, contractors, and design professionals in all phases of the construction process. She counsels her clients before a project begins through its final completion. Likewise, Jo’s business clients receive the breadth and depth of a skilled litigator, who works to achieve their best possible result.
Prior to joining the firm, she was a senior attorney in the enforcement section of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). There, Jo focused on banking laws and regulations, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Federal Housing Act, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, and section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act. She managed, investigated, and developed legal strategy for 10c enforcement litigation matters and investigations involving deceptive and unfair practices to consumers and fraud or other risk-related harm to FDIC insured institutions. Through the Office of Minority and Women Inclusion (OMWI), Jo provided advice to the FDIC chairman on diversity and inclusion concerns. She developed and implemented OMWI activities that addressed cultural diversity, differences, similarities, and contributions of the FDIC’s workforce.
Before joining the FDIC, Jo served as a federal judicial law clerk for the Honorable Joel H. Slomsky, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania during the 2016-2017 term.
Jo earned her bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph’s University. Jo has previously worked at John Kluge Center for Research at the Library of Congress and for Inese Vaidere, member of European Parliament (Latvia), European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium. Jo earned her law degree from New York Law School. While in law school, Jo worked at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. and New York City and for the Honorable Fernando J. Gaitan, Jr., U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri.
Outside of her legal practice, Jo is very involved in civic, charitable, bar, and community organizations. Jo served as chair of the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (ABA YLD), the largest organization of young lawyers in the world, from August 2022 to August 2023. Jo is also a regular columnist for Law360, where she shares her insights on current Construction Law issues.