Joanne Crebassa

Joanne C. Crebassa, an almost lifelong Coloradoan from Loveland, began her collegiate studies at Boston University. Returning to Colorado, Joanne successfully balanced the rigors of academic life and family life, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Northern Colorado in 1993.

In addition to her studies at UNC, Joanne participated in a program called Project Self-Sufficiency, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping single parents overcome financial barriers and challenging life circumstances. Inspired by the program and its participants, many of whom faced complicated legal issues related to parenting and child support, Joanne was determined to achieve her goal of becoming a lawyer. In 1994, Joanne was accepted to The School of Law at the University of California, Davis, a top-tier law school, nationally and internationally recognized for its commitment to social responsibility, professional excellence, high ethical standards, and public service. While at UC-Davis, Joanne had the extraordinary opportunity to study under nationally renowned professor and author, Edward Imwinklereid, whose publications on evidence and trial practice are widely used at law schools across the United States. While under his tutelage, Joanne developed a deeper interest in trial advocacy. Joanne earned her Juris Doctorate degree from UC-Davis in 1997.

In 1998, Joanne was admitted to the Colorado Bar and began practicing law in the state of Colorado. Drawn to providing equal access legal service to the community, Joanne spent her first year representing clients with income-sensitive family and disability cases on behalf of Colorado Legal Services. Determined to hone her trial skills, Joanne’s focus moved toward representing corporate and insurance company clients in complex, personal injury cases and jury trials in Denver. At the same time, Joanne continued to work pro bono in family law matters. In the Colorado Court of Appeals family case [In re Marriage of Foss, 30 P.3d 850 (2001)], Joanne succeeded in overturning a trial court’s ruling regarding a parent seeking increased child support from the opposing party, who had won the Colorado lottery, on behalf of their special needs child.

Years of volunteer work and managing pro bono programs combined with sharp trial skills helped Joanne realize her passion for helping families. In 2014, she decided to focus solely on family law to help guide families through the often difficult and emotional process of separating the family unit and dividing assets. Joanne takes immense pride in providing compassionate representation and is thoughtful and attentive to case cost management. She helps her clients make educated decisions in order to reach fair settlements, but also provides strategic and assertive representation when trial becomes necessary. Regardless of which course the case takes, Joanne works diligently to obtain the best results for her clients.

In 2020, Joanne began providing respite care to foster children and training as a foster parent. Her house is often filled with children, whom she lovingly supports, while their parents work toward reunification with them. Joanne understands how important it is for families to heal and for children to have safe, healthy relationships with their parents, even in the face of extreme challenges.