Joanna R. Steele

Associate
Steele Joanna

Joanna Steele focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation matters in both state and federal courts, including breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets. She works with clients from a variety of industries, including advertising, construction, entertainment, government contracts, and real estate. As part of her practice, Joanna generates and enforces construction agreements for various commercial projects, including commercial landscaping, condominium development, and retail tenant renovations. She also assists developers with appealing zoning decisions and challenging zoning ordinances in Virginia state courts.

Experience

Government Experience

  • Successfully defended a real estate developer in construction contract litigation. Secured dismissal with prejudice of a $3 million breach of contract claim and global settlement with co-defendants
  • Second-chaired a trial and argued motions that resulted in a complete dismissal of an appeal challenging a town council's zoning decision under Code of Virginia 15.2-2306
  • Helped secure an emergency temporary restraining order for misappropriation of trade secrets for a government contractor client whose employee had corrupted client's Salesforce case management database

Credentials
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Education

  • J.D. magna cum laude University of Richmond School of Law 2020
    • Order of the Barristers
    • Virginia Trial Lawyers Student Advocacy Award
    • Robert A. Slimak Award for Outstanding Oral Advocacy
  • B.A. Philosophy University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 2013

Bar Admissions

  • Virginia
  • District of Columbia

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims

Community
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Pro Bono

  • Secured withholding of removal for client
  • Provides extensive pro bono work focusing on litigating state and federal fair housing claims