Joel was born and raised in Alabama. He became interested in the law at an early age. During his undergraduate studies at Brigham Young University, Joel interned for the FBI in Quantico, Virginia. From his experience at the FBI, Joel’s interests in the law increased and he decided to pursue a career as a lawyer.
Joel went to law school at Creighton University where he was the Executive Editor of the Creighton Law Review. He was published for his article on mandatory immunizations and religious exemptions. During and after law school, Joel found opportunities in Alaska, beginning with working for the District Attorney’s Office in Palmer, Alaska. Joel passed the Alaska Bar Exam and was offered a position as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Eric Smith of the Alaska Superior Court. Working as a judicial law clerk for Judge Smith, Joel was exposed to a variety of cases from attorneys representing people seeking their day in court. As a judicial law clerk, Joel gained a unique perspective of why some techniques utilized by lawyers are more persuasive than others.
After his clerkship term ended, Joel accepted a position at a prominent law firm in Anchorage, Alaska, where he represented clients in cases involving professional liability, municipal litigation representing the City of Anchorage, appellate practice, employment and labor law, products liability, commercial litigation and professional licensing issues. Joel also assisted in cases for high-profile politicians, multiple insurance companies, as well as for heavy equipment, helicopter, firearm and a number of other product manufacturers.
Joel returned to Alabama and became licensed to practice law in Alabama. In 2014, Joel opened Safehaven Legal, PLLC, and has been helping people in cases that include family law, child custody, child support, alimony, divorce, adoption and other family law related cases. The Safehaven Legal, PLLC, office is located in Fultondale, allowing Joel to represent individuals all over Alabama Counties. Joel discovered that often good people find themselves in precarious situations with the law and need quality legal representation to pursue their rights and especially the best interests of their children. Joel endeavors to help these people and businesses by aggressively representing their interests. Joel’s track record of success in Alabama has benefited people from all walks of life.
After founding Safehaven Legal, PLLC, the practice has grown significantly, which has allowed Joel to expand his field of practice to wills, trusts and estates, probate, business formations, and contract drafting and litigation. Because of Joel’s work, Safehaven Legal, PLLC, is able to provide the most up-to-date wills, trusts and wealth planning that is crucial to helping individuals protect their children and grandchildren as well as direct how their wealth is protected during their lives and passed on to those they care about afterward.
