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DeVonna Joy
About DeVonna
Biography
I love being a consumer protection lawyer. This truly is a David v. Goliath type of practice. For several years, I worked at the largest law firms in Wisconsin, basically pushing around piles of money for large corporations. It was pretty unsatisfying work personally. Once I learned of the area of consumer protection, I realized that this was my calling. Representing individuals against companies that rip them off, that engage in deceptive acts and practices and violate consumers' rights as a way of doing business.
It is particularly satisfying to get client's car returned to them (or the value of the car, if it has been sold), plus their payments back if the finance company illegally repossesses the car. People use their cars to go to work, to shuttle their kids, to shop, etc. So losing their car is usually a major deal for them.
I also love suing abusive debt collectors. For many reasons, sometimes people can't pay all of their bills on time. Most often, it is due to illness, medical bills, job losses, divorce, and similar reasons. Companies and other creditors have the right to be paid for bills that are actually owed. However, they have to collect those consumer debts in a lawful way. State and federal law regulate how companies and debt collectors must act. They cannot use illegal, abusive, and/or deceptive practices. If that happens to you in Wisconsin, I am happy to consult with you to see if I can help.
Another area in which I like to help consumers is to sue timeshare companies located in Wisconsin which violate the Wisconsin Timeshare Act. There are a number of ways that many timeshare companies violate the law, including making false, deceptive, or misleading statements in the sales presentation. These often include lying about what is being sold, claiming that the price or benefits are only good for that day only (creating pressure to buy immediately), claiming the timeshare is a financial investment, misrepresenting the ease of trading, lying about whether the timeshare seller will take the timeshare back or help you sell or rent it if you change your mind, and many others.
Most of my cases are accepted on a contingency basis, meaning they are contingent upon success. I don't get paid unless and until I recover some benefit for you, either through a court award, trial, or settlement. In almost all cases, the other side pays some or of the attorney's fees and out-of-pocket costs. The laws we bring these cases under require the court to award fees and costs if you win.
Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
Consumer Protection
100%
39 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Check
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Wisconsin for 38 years
State: Wisconsin
Acquired: 1987
No misconduct found
Location
Consumer Justice Law Center, LLC
P.O. Box 51, Big Bend, WI, 53103-0051
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DeVonna Joy's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 7 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Stacey | March 14, 2021 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Wrongful Repossession
DeVonna Joy was my lawyer for my illegally repossessed truck, she went above and beyond to make sure she fought for what I deserved. Not only did I get more than anticipated, but most importantly I got my truck back also! This experience has changed my life because of how well she established a gre...
Posted by Kevin | January 6, 2021 | Consulted Attorney
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
consumer protection support
DeVonna was incredibly responsive and helpful advising on my specific issue of handling negative accounts on a credit report along with the specific statute of limitations. Thank you so much DeVonna!
Posted by Samantha | September 14, 2016 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Thanks a million!
I hired DeVonna Joy to help me cancel my contract with Sundance. I attended a high pressure sales pitch with the promise of a "free" cruise. I was sucked into the glitz and signed a contract. I became unhappy shortly after. Was told that I couldn't get rid of it, so stuck it out. Until, I found DeVon...
Posted by Mary | July 8, 2014
Consumer Justice Specialist
My husband and I went to a hard sell presentation for Sundance Vacations and bought into the contract. We later tried to cancel the contract but were told we had to sign a Confidential Termination and Release Agreement. Basically, we would never be able to speak about Sundance again in any way or t...
Posted by anonymous | May 22, 2014
Devonna Joy - helpful with Sundance
DeVonna was extrememly helpful in helping us in our case against Sundance Vacations. After 8 years of paying and only coming up empty with the 'vacation package of your dreams' that we were promised, we felt like we had nowhere else to turn - until we saw DeVonna. Not only did she help us cancel ou...
DeVonna Joy's Lawyer Endorsements
"I highly recommend Attorney DeVonna Joy. She is a strong, thoughtful, and passionate fighter for consumers, especially underrepresented folks in our society. Attorney Joy is a consummate advocate for her clients with a vast knowledge of the protections for consumers in State and Federal law. In the 25 plus years I have known Attorney Joy professionally I have witnessed her fighting harder for her clients than almost any attorney I know. She helps folks who have been cheated, scammed, harassed and abused in the financial marketplace. You want Attorney Joy on your side."
"Dani Joy is a smart, empathic and dedicated advocate for consumer rights. I’ve known Dani for at least 20 years as a fellow member of the National Association of Consumer Advocates. I heartily endorse Dani. She has terrific skills and abilities."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known DeVonna "Dani" Joy for nearly twenty years. She is a passionate, intelligent, and highly professional attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer. She is a smart, tough and highly experienced advocate for consumers."
"I highly recommend Devonna Joy. She is smart, effective and compassionate. I trust her advice on consumer related matters, and I refer those cases to her when they arise in my practice."
"Ms. Joy has been a real warrior on consumer protection issues for many years. She is an expert in debt, credit, credit reporting, car finance, and home finance. She has broken ground in many areas of law, and is one of the preeminent lawyers in the field, nationwide. I think it goes without saying, that I think she is brilliant. I endorse this lawyer highly."
"DeVonna Joy is a very knowledgeable, versatile, and thorough attorney. I had the privilege of working with her on an auto fraud case and learned a great deal. She will go to great lengths to secure the best outcome for her clients and she leaves no stone unturned!"
"I endorse this lawyer. I think her client reviews are telling. Ms. Joy is a long-time consumer advocate. She is knowledageable, passionate, and dedicated. She knows consumer protectin law. I highly recommend her."
Sylvia Bolos
Consumer protection lawyer
Ian Lyngklip
Consumer protection lawyer
John Goolsby
Consumer protection lawyer
Nathan DeLadurantey
Consumer protection lawyer
Experience
Honors
2002
Pro Bono Award, Wisconsin Association for Women Lawyers
2001
Outstanding Pro Bono Attorney, Volunteer Lawyers Project
Work Experience
1999 - Present
Attorney, Consumer Justice Law Center, LLC
Associations
2003 - Present
Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College F-WarriorsMember
1999 - Present
National Association of Consumer AdvocatesMember
1987 - Present
Milwaukee Bar AssociationMember
1987 - Present
State Bar of WisconsinMember
Milwaukee Transit Archives Museum
Co-founder
2005 - 2010
Chicago Autofraud Consumer Protection GroupMember
2003 - 2010
Badgerlaw Consumer Protection GroupModerator
Sample of Legal Cases
Broome v. Kohn Law Firm, S.C. et al.,
Court awarded full attorneys' fees and costs to consumers for work necessary to win.done..
Gonzales v. Kohn Law Firm, S.C., 2014 WL 201151
District court held that punitive damages were available to the consumer for her claims under the Wisconsin Consumer Act.
Pliss v. Peppertree Resort Villas, Incl. 264 Wis. 2d 735, 663 N.W.2d 851, 2003 WI App 102 (Ct. App. 2003)
Buyers were awarded double damages and rescission of the timeshare contracts.
Hartman v. Meridian Financial Services, 2002 WL 32349405
In addition to obtaining damages on their own claims, consumers prevailed on their claims to have the debt collector pay its attorneys' fees and costs. Federal district court awarded attorneys' fees in the amount of $94,320 and $6,043.53 in costs.
Hartman v. Meridian Financial Services, Inc., 191 F. Supp. 1031 (W.D. Wis. March 11, 2002)
Timeshare buyers in Wisconsin won damages and in a separate decision listed here were awarded their attorneys' fees and costs of the case.
Education
2005
Pete Barry's FDCPA Boot Camp
Graduate
2003
Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College
F-Warrior. Also, attended 4 graduate programs at TLC
1987
Marquette University Law School
JD - Juris Doctor
Speaking Engagements
2019
Legal Action Training
A Pound of Flesh: Protecting Consumers From Unfair Debt Collection
2018
NCLC Autofraud Conference
The Auto Deal: An Anatomy of Common Violations in the Purchase/Sale/Financing of An Automobile and What Documents to Request of Clients
2017
Trial Lawyers College and NACA Workshop
Winning Your Case With Opening Statements
2017
NACA Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Conference
Settling Cases and Ethical Considerations
2017
NACA Fair Credit Reporting Act Conference
Preparing and Defending Your FCRA Client for Deposition
2017
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Conference
The Basics of Debt Collection
2015
NACA Fair Credit Reporting Act Conference
FCRA Considerations in Debt Collection Cases
2013
NACA Fair Credit Reporting Act Conference
Conducting Third-Party Discovery in Fair Credit Reporting Act Cases, Defending Plaintiff's Deposition in FCRA Cases
2011
Webinar Presentation
Perspectives from the Bench: A Discussion With Judge William Pocan
2011
National Consumer Rights Litigation Conference
How to Run a Consumer Protection Practice
2010
NACA Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Seminar
Tort and State Statutory Claims
2009
NACA Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Seminar
Tort and State Statutory Claims
2009
Legal Action Training
Debt Collection Cases: Assisting Consumers With Cases Under The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and Wisconsin Consumer Act, Dealing With Debt Buyers and Debt Managers
2008
National Consumer Rights Litigation Conference
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
2006
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Seminar
Client Intake, Client Retainers, Collection Logs, Discovery in Fair Debt Collection Litigation, and Recording Telephone Calls of Abusive Debt Collectors
2005
Training Seminar to benefits specialists at Senior Law
Debt Collection Abuses Under Federal and State Law. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Wisconsin Consumer Act, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act
2005
CLE
Litigating Cases Under Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Wisconsin Consumer Act Debt Collection Chapter 427, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and Identity Theft
2004
Volunteer Lawyer's Project
Debt Collection Harassment - Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and Wisconsin Consumer Act. Fair Credit Reporting Act.
2004
Annual Consumer Law Civil Rights Conference
Auto Fraud Practice Tips From the Experts
2003
Annual Consumer Law Civil Rights Conference
Recent Developments and Cases under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
Publications
1987
Marqutte Law Review, Vol. 70, Issue 4, Summer 1987
The "Public Interest or Concern Test": Have We Resurrected A Standard That Should Have Remained in the Defamation Graveyard?
Languages
English