“Going through so many difficult issues with my late husband, parents, grandparents and aunt for long periods of time, I decided to apply my life experience and legal and business experience to counsel and assist other people. My work in business and finance has been a valuable asset in this process. It is more than just estate planning or long-term care or asset protection; it is life planning that should address and integrate all of these concerns. It also requires an understanding of what people are facing and the passion to help.”
Prior to forming J.A. Keston Law, PLLC, Joan worked as an international legal consultant, and as a business attorney focusing on complex financial projects and acquisitions. She has worked with public and private corporations, start-ups and non-profit organizations. She has been a Faculty Advisor at the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and on the Advisory Council at Kenan-Flagler’s Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER). She has lived and worked in Europe, Brazil and North Africa. Most recently, Joan was a finalist for Wilma Magazine’s 2014 Women to Watch!
Practice areas
Languages spoken
Portuguese, Spanish
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
NC | Active | 2013 | 01/23/2021 |
FL | Retired | 1999 | 12/20/2020 |
PA | Retired | 1978 | 01/02/2021 |
Legal answers | 0 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Founding Attorney | JA Keston Law, PLLC | 2013 - Present |
Managing Principal | Keston & Associates, Ltd. | 2006 - 2013 |
General Counsel & Secretary | Smart Online, Inv | 2005 - 2006 |
VP Business Development, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary | Visage Solutions, LLC | 2004 - 2005 |
Special Counsel | Duane Morris & Heckscher, LLP (N/K/A Duane Morris, LLP) | 1999 - 2000 |
Consultant | Pajet, Inc. | 1997 - 2003 |
---|---|---|
Executive Officer / Owner | Brasilia Agro Comercial & Industrial Exportadora Ltda. | 1986 - 1997 |
Assistant Counsel | Lease Financing Corporation | 1981 - 1986 |
Assistant Corporate Counsel | Consolidated Rail Corporation | 1978 - 1981 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
New Hanover County Bar Association | Member | 2014 - Present |
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys | Member | 2013 - Present |
ElderCounsel | Member | 2013 - Present |
North Carolina Bar Association | Member | 2013 - Present |
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (North Carolina chapter) | Member | 2013 - Present |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of Miami School of Law | LL.M - Master of Laws | 1998 |
Villanova University School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1978 |
Bucknell University | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1975 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Rotary Club | Elder Law, Estate Planning & Asset Protection | 2015 |
Monthly Free Educational Seminars in Wilmington and Southport | Life Care Planning; an Integrative Approach to Elder Law, Estate Planning & Asset Protection | 2015 |
YMCA | Elder Law, Estate Planning & Asset Protection | 2014 |
Aging in Place Downtown | Elder Law, Estate Planning & Asset Protectio | 2014 |
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Mon Sep 18 2017
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Wed Oct 07 2015
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Mon Aug 31 2015
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Wed Jul 22 2015
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Sat Jul 11 2015
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Fri Jul 10 2015
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Sat Aug 27 2016
Laura Vignola, Elder law Attorney on Sep 7, 2015
Relationship: Friend
Ms. Keston is a skilled attorney and one of the brightest persons I know. Equally important is her genuine concern for her clients and her intuitive, caring nature. I highly endorse Ms. Keston.