Joe grew up in Tulare, California. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, from California state University, Fresno in 1974.  He received his Jurist Doctorate degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in June of 1977 and was admitted to practice in California  later that year. Joe began his law practice as an associate with the Law Firm of Soares and Rowson, now Horswill, Mederos & Soares.
     Joe's practice emphasizes bankruptcy litigation   for  creditors,   the  representation

of credit unions and other financial institutions and the handling of the estate and probate matters, primarily involving farming and dairy interest.  Joe has been a longtime speaker for the California Credit Union League's annual Attorneys Conference on the topic of bankruptcy. He speaks and conducts seminars for various credit union organizations.
     He has been an instructor at the College Sequoias, Visalia, California, teaching bankruptcy law under the ABA accredited  Paralegal program.  He is a member of the California Bankruptcy Institute, the Central California Bankruptcy Association, a former member of the Credit Union National Association (NCUA) Governmental Affairs, Bankruptcy Subcommittee.  He is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Tulare County Bar Association and the Tulare County Legal Reference Services Board.
     Joe and his wife Rhonda, who was born in Laton, California have been married for 30 years and have two sons;  Scott and Lee.