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Joan M Bundy
also known as Joan Bundy
About Joan
Biography
Joan Bundy, owner/attorney-at-law of Joan Bundy Law, became passionate about divorce and family law while serving as a prosecutor. Most of her case load involved domestic-violence matters. She spoke firsthand with domestic-violence victims, heard their stories, and helped bring them justice. She saw how the legal system can be a positive force to help families escape abusive and sometimes life-threatening situations, and move on with their lives.
As a prosecutor, Joan learned another important lesson: The justice system’s adversarial nature can sometimes stand in the way, not help bring about, a positive outcome in family law cases. When she opened her own family-law practice in Chandler, which she saw as a natural outgrowth of her previous experience, she saw many of the same patterns. Too many divorce and family law cases are characterized by needless conflict between the two parties and their attorneys. The result is a lengthy, expensive, heart-wrenching process that leaves lasting scars, particularly when children are involved. Only the attorneys stand to gain from high-conflict litigation.
Joan’s job is to advocate for the best interests of her divorce and family law clients. She does not hesitate to assertively advocate for them if the situation requires it. If the other party or opposing counsel are uncooperative, there is no other choice. Still, she believes that cooperation is the preferred approach because it often brings faster, more efficient, happier, and longer-lasting outcomes that benefit both her clients and their families. In fact, she has extensive training and experience in alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration.
Joan reviews each client’s legal matter individually and recommends the approach that she believes, through years of experience in family law, will work best. If the parties are willing to work together to resolve their issues, she may recommend mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution instead of going to court.
As a divorce and family law attorney, Joan’s goals are to:
- Help clients through difficult times as painlessly as possible.
- Recommend the most efficient, cost-effective legal solutions.
- Dedicate one attorney to each case from beginning to end.
- Treat every client, without exception, with compassion, respect, and dignity.
Joan grew up in a small Iowa town, which she credits for her traditional values and strong work ethic. She has lived in Arizona since 2000. Before entering the legal field, she sharpened her communication skills as a journalist and public relations professional.
The proud “parent” of many cats and dogs past and current, Joan considers companion animals to be part of the family and is a recognized national expert on animal law issues. She is a past chairperson and current member of the Executive Council of the State Bar of Arizona’s Animal Law Section and, for many years, has been a board member of, volunteer for, and financial contributor to many animal welfare organizations.
She also is an ally to the LGBTQIA+ population and has provided estate planning, co-parenting, dissolution and adoption services to many same-sex individuals and couples over the years. She is a recognized local expert in LGBTQIA+ family law issues.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Divorce and Separation
55%
17 years | 300 cases
Child Custody
37%
17 years | 100 cases
Animal Law
5%
22 years | 20 cases
Estate Planning
2%
17 years | 12 cases
Fees and Rates
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Arizona for 19 years
State: Arizona
Acquired: 2006
No misconduct found
Location
Joan Bundy Law
1490 South Price Road, Suite 214, Chandler, AZ, 85286
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Joan M Bundy's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
21 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (21)
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Practice Areas
Showing 6 - 10 of 21 reviews
Posted by Will23 | May 16, 2014 | Lawsuits & Disputes
Got bad advice - will be fine in less complex Cases
She is a nice person but she didn't gave me the right advice and got my case in problems. i contact here and she promise me that she will be able to handle it but after 4 weeks and send me my money back and recommend on other lawyers. didn't work for me but i am sure she will be fine in less co...
Joan Bundy
Replied last May 16, 2014I take client satisfaction very seriously, so when I first read this review, I searched my records and memory in an effort to identify the former client who might have written it. At my request, Avvo was kind enough to contact the reviewer, and reported back to me that he or she did, in fact, claim to be a former client. Unfortunately, the information in the review does not appear to match any clients or even prospective clients who have contacted my law office since its inception, let alone during the past one to six months. I will make a few general comments: Normally, I am able to accurately assess the scope of the matter during the initial consultation with a prospective client. Occasionally, after further digging, I discover unique issues of which I previously was unaware. If at any point during the assessment of a case I were to conclude that the matter would be better handled by an attorney with a different or more specific specialty, I would immediately inform the client or prospective client, and recommend other suitable attorneys. It would be the only ethical thing to do. Of course, if this were to happen, I also would immediately refund any and all funds remaining in the client’s trust account for prepaid work not yet performed. So if the reviewer’s comments are accurate, then I did what any good, honest, professional attorney would do in such a situation. If the reviewer has more specific concerns he or she would like to discuss, I invite the reviewer to contact me directly so we can address them at greater length. Thank you.
Posted by Steven | November 11, 2013 | Divorce & Separation
Great Job!!
I contacted Joan reference a divorce issue. Joan walked me through the process and advised me on how to handle the issues and what the possible pitfalls might be. Joan communication skills were excellent. She called when she stated she would and answer emails promptly. Joan did an excellent job ...
Posted by Jonathan | October 16, 2013 | Child Custody
Very dependable and hard-working attorney!
Joan has helped me with my child custody case for the past year and I couldn't imagine a better attorney for the job. Such a case requires you to put nearly every personal thing you have about your life on the table and I couldn't ask for a more professional and trustworthy attorney to handle such...
Posted by anonymous | September 09, 2013 | Child Custody
Great attorney for same sex couples!
My partner and I retained Joan to assist us with working out parenting time and legal custody for our son that we share with another couple. Through the entire process of working out the proposed parenting plan, Joan was extremely knowledgeable and confident. She went out of her way to educate us on...
Joan Bundy
Replied last September 10, 2013Wow! Am I flattered! I will strive to continue to live up to this ideal on an ongoing basis. I do search out and try to help same-sex individuals because their legal needs are so challenging and they often get passed over by attorneys who are homophobic or just afraid to tackle difficult legal issues. I definitely empathize with the situations they find themselves in, especially with the patchwork of laws we have right now in the United States for same-sex marriage and other LGBTQ legal issues. Sure, DOMA has fallen in some respects, but in some places (like Arizona, where I practice), anti-gay laws are alive and well. Forget being able to divorce here, and put aside any hopes of second-mother or second-father parental rights or adoption. It takes an attorney who is motivated, creative and up on current caselaw and legal trends to try to work around these roadblocks and come up with useful solutions for same-sex individuals and couples. Thanks again for putting your faith in me!
Posted by Deborah | November 20, 2012 | Ethics & Professional Responsibility
Joan Bundy is an Ethical Attorney
Joan was very professional while handling my case against an attorney that was less then ethical. Joan held her ground and remained confident the entire time.
Joan M Bundy's Lawyer Endorsements
"Joan is not just a pleasure to work with, but also a conscientious and knowledgeable lawyer who clearly cares about her clients. I endorse her without hesitation."
"I endorse this lawyer. Joan possesses all the qualities you look for in a lawyer. She is creative, compassionate, intelligent, and honest. I had the pleasure of co-counseling a case with Joan, and I was very impressed by her dedication and wisdom. I would gladly recommend her to anyone looking to hire an attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer. She is a caring attorney who does well for her clients."
"I have worked with Joan on two separate divorce cases over the past few years, and must say that she is a consummate professional. Joan strongly advocates on behalf of her clients, but always remains respectful and courteous throughout the process. She is truly a pleasure to work with, and I look forward to future cases against her. I strongly endorse this lawyer."
"Joan Bundy is a great advocate for her clients. I have been on the opposite side a divorce cases and hear from other lawyers who talk about the good lawyers in our community. Joan Bundy's name is among them. I have her in my short list of lawyers to refer people to if I can't take their case. I know she will get the best outcome possible for her clients while being respectful and professional to the other side."
"I worked with Joan on an animal rights case that spilled over into civil litigation, and found her to be extremely knowledgeable and diligent. I would highly recommend her."
"I endorse this lawyer. Joan is a knowledgeable, professional, ethical and highly talented attorney. She is a strong advocate for her clients and is courteous to opposing counsel as well as their staff."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Joan is a skilled attorney who will represent her client's with the utmost integrity."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Joan is an exceptional divorce attorney. She is compassionate, knowledge and reasonable with both her clients and opposing counsel and other parties. She is a great choice and a pleasure to work with in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community."
"I've always referred clients to Joan, and without fail, they report outstanding results. She's a very talented, successful lawyer, that is down to earth and easy to talk with."
"I endorse this lawyer. A brilliant and highly respected attorney in the legal community."
"I endorse Attorney Bundy without reservation."
"Ms. Bundy is an outstanding attorney, and I highly appreciate her advice and legal opinions on any family law topic. Ms. Bundy is one of the best attorneys that I know."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
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Experience
Honors
2011
Reader's Choice Best of 2011, "Law Firms", Pinal County Lifestyles Magazine
2005
Public Service Scholarship, State Bar of Arizona Public Lawyers Section
2004
Writing Competition U of A winner, State Bar of Arizona Indian Law Section
Work Experience
2009 - Present
Owner/Attorney-at-Law, Joan Bundy Law PLC
2008 - 2009
Prosecutor II, Gila River Indian Community
2005 - 2008
Assistant Prosecutor, Tohono O'odham Nation
2005 - 2005
Law Clerk, Thomas G. Hippert, P.C.
Associations
2024 - Present
State Bar of Arizona, Advancement and Improvement CommitteeMember
2020 - Present
American Bar Associationmember, Animal Law Committee and Policy & Alliance Subcommittee
2012 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
2012 - Present
Maricopa County Bar AssociationMember
2012 - Present
Chandler Chamber of CommerceMember
2011 - Present
Federal Bar Association
2006 - Present
State Bar of ArizonaActive Attorney Member
2004 - Present
State Bar of Arizona's Animal Law Sectionpast Chairperson and current Executive Council member
2018 - 2018
Maricopa County Justice CourtsMediator
2013 - 2015
Death Penalty Alternatives of ArizonaBoard Member
2012 - 2019
Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC)Member
2011 - 2012
Arizona Women Lawyers AssociationMember
2011 - 2014
East Valley Bar AssociationMember
2011 - 2013
San Tan Valley Chamber of CommerceMember
2011 - 2012
Maricopa Chamber of CommerceMember
2011 - 2013
Pinal County Bar AssociationMember
2009 - 2012
Greater Casa Grande Chamber of CommerceMember
2006 - 2009
Animal Cruelty Taskforce of Southern ArizonaMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Reddick v. Reed, CV2024-00127 (Coconino County)
still pending
Perez v. Tover & Reicherz, V2015-050752
Settlement
Waters v. Wynkoop et al.
I was the appointed arbitrator; found for defendants. Later plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the case.
Tranquility Trail Animal Sanctuary, Inc. v. Epsteins, CV2015-001557
Dismissed
In the matter of: C.J.V., JS517495
Consent decree
Ebenal et al. v. Rowe, CV2014-009557
Out-of-court confidential settlement
Atwood v. Riviotta, FN2011-093631
Annulment granted
In re minor children, GC201100172 (Pinal County Superior Court)
Prevailed
Bison v. Fish, JC-2010-0068 (Gila River Indian Community)
Prevailed
Wences v. Ortega, J-1102-PO-201100159 & -60 (Pinal County Justice Court, Precinct 2 - Casa Grande)
protective orders dismissed
Vega v. Vega, 2010-0086AV (Tohono O'odham Nation Court)
Divorce obtained through out-of-court agreement
Ikenberg v. Thomas & Padilla, C20106556 (Pima County Justice Court)
settled
Scott v. Isaacs-Scott, FN2010-001182
Judge awarded the house to the wife in the marital dissolution.
Davis v. Davis, DO2010-01440
Divorce with sole custody, no visitation, child support ordered, relocation approved
Andres v. Lewis, CV-2008-0243 (Gila River Indian Community Court)
Mother obtained sole custody of all three children
Education
2016
Interaction Management Associates
Introduction to Mediation
2005
University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law
Juris Doctor
1991
Iowa State University
Bachelor of Arts
N/A
Pima Community College
Speaking Engagements
2017
Healthy Communities through Criminal Justice Response to Domestic Violence
The Family, Animals & DV: The intersection between human and non-human family member and trouble at home
2017
City of Gilbert Court training
The link between animal cruelty and domestic violence
2017
Annual convention
The Family, Animals & DV: The intersection between human and non-human family member and trouble at home
2016
State Bar of Arizona Annual Convention
They Ran With a Collie and a Crockpot: A Discussion of the Complete Family Violence Dynamic
2016
regular monthly meeting of Supreme Court Committee on the Impact of Domestic Violence on the Courts (CIDVC)
The link between animal cruelty and domestic violence
2016
Brown Bag Lunch Series: "The Link Between Domestic Violence and Animal Cruelty"
Civil and family court cases involving domestic violence and animal cruelty
2015
“Providing for Fluffy, Fido, Equines and Exotics: Estate Planning for Animal Owners
Honorary Pet Trusts: Wills for your companion animals
2015
Maricopa County Association of Paralegals
Same-sex family law issues
2015
Arizona Summit Law School luncheon presentation
Animals and the Family: The intersection between our human and non-human family members
2013
Staying out of the Dog House: New Issues Regarding Animals in Family Law and Criminal Matters
Pet custody disputes
2011
State Bar of Arizona Annual Convention
Current Issues in Animal Law & Agriculture
2010
Are your ducks in a row? Advance Planning Seminar
Estate planning
2010
Animal Law in Indian Country
Drafting Companion-Animal Legislation for Tribes
2009
State Bar of Arizona Annual Convention
Animal Guardianship
2008
Investigating Ritualistic Animal Cruelty
Animal Cruelty in Indian Country
Publications
2023
American Bar Association newsletter
What happens to Fido or Fluffy when their humans’ relationship goes south?
2016
Maricopa County Bar Association Family Law Section Newsletter, October 2016
Pet custody disputes: Who gets Fido or Fluffy?
2015
Record Reporter
Pet tattooing and piercing outlawed in New York
2015
Record Reporter
Same-sex marriage comes to Arizona
2015
Record Reporter
Can someone with Alzheimer’s consent to sexual relations?
2014
Record Reporter
When family law intersects with U.S. chemical weapons treaty
2014
2014
2013
Record Reporter
Parental termination not always a slam dunk
2013
Record Reporter
Gays struck from juries for sexual orientation
2013
Record Reporter
Steve Nash divorce appeal
2004
The Arrow
Tribal Sovereignty to Exercise Criminal Jurisdiction over Non-Indians--A Candid Look at the Limitations and Rationales
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Does a Durable power of attorney need to be witnessed more than just by the notary
03 Mar 2022
Q&A
Can I recant guardianship if a child if the parent is doing better?
28 Feb 2022
Q&A
Is there a specific age in Arizona where a child can decline visitation with parent?
26 Feb 2022
Legal Guides
Legal Guide
Adopting a child in Arizona
06 Aug 2020
Legal Guide
Timeline for divorce in Arizona
24 Oct 2017
Legal Guide
Child Support Calculations in Arizona
24 Oct 2017