Joan E. Pettinelli serves as “of counsel” to Fadel & Beyer, devoting her practice to litigation in state and federal courts, primarily in the areas of federal criminal defense and business litigation. “Joanie” is well known for her strong work ethic, her exceptional research and writing skills, and dedication to her clients. She enjoys an “av” preeminent ranking from the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System given to attorneys who are evaluated by their peers at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal expertise, communication skills, and ethical standards.
In her 26 years of private practice, she has effectively represented clients in all phases of criminal and civil matters in both federal and state courts. A member of the U.S. District Court’s CJA Panel, Joanie was appointed to serve a three year term as the Panel’s District Representative. She has handled a wide variety of criminal cases including antitrust violations, mortgage fraud, drug offenses, environmental law violations, ERISA violations, false statements to federal agencies, immigration offenses, labor violations, Medicare fraud, public corruption, small business loan fraud, theft offenses and student financial aid fraud. On behalf of civil litigants, she has successfully prosecuted cases based on civil rights violations, federal RICO violations, predatory lending violations, shareholders’ breach of fiduciary duties, and medical malpractice.
An Ohio native, Ms. Pettinelli received a Bachelor of Arts from North Carolina State University in 1986 and her law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1990. After law school, she served as a federal law clerk to the Honorable Thomas D. Lambros, former Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. She was admitted to practice before all Ohio courts in 1990 and joined Fadel & Beyer, LLC in 1994. Ms. Pettinelli is a member of the bar of the United States Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and U.S. District Courts in Ohio and Michigan.
Biography:
Law Clerk to Honorable Thomas D. Lambros, Chief Judge, Northern District of Ohio, 1991-1994. Member, Criminal Justice Act Panel of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. CJA Panel Attorney District Representative, Northern District of Ohio 2018 – 2020.
Cases
• U.S. v. Wells, 623 F.3d 332 (2010)
• O’Toole v. Denihan, 118 Ohio St.3d 374 (2008)
• Consolo v. Cleveland, 103 Ohio St.3d 362 (2004)
• Blair v. City of Cleveland, 148 F.Supp.2d 894 (2000).
Memberships
• Federal Bar Association
• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Ohio State Bar Association
• Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association.
