Joseph James Bell

Joseph James Bell

also known as Joe Bell

1.6
Rating: 8.8

Licensed for 45 years

Family Lawyer at Grass Valley, CA
Practice Areas: Family, Litigation

350 Crown Point Circle, Suite 250, Grass Valley, CA

About Joseph

Biography

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Family 75%

I advise domestic partners and persons ending marital relationships. I represent parties litigating relationship issues. I am a trained mediator and private settlement judge.

46 years

75%
Litigation 25%

I have litigated many types of civil disputes though few jury trials. Contracts, landlord tenant and environmental law are part of my history. I now focus more on family and juvenile legal matters.

46 years

25%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 385-450 per hour


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in California for 45 years

State: California

Acquired: 1980

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Bell Joseph J Attorney At Law

350 Crown Point Circle, Suite 250, Grass Valley, CA, 95945-9524

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Joseph James Bell's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

1.6 /5.0

7 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (7) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge

Posted by elizabeth Enright | July 17, 2025 | Domestic Violence

no stars

I hired Joe Bell for a consultation regarding a complex 11-year partnership involving physical, emotional, and financial abuse. Instead of providing meaningful advice, he wasted the first half of the session talking about irrelevant topics, like Lee Marvin and his movies, without asking about my situ...ation. When I finally shared my concerns, I felt cross-examined rather than supported. He demanded witnesses for minor details, like every plant I’d tended or whether I slept at the residence nightly, which felt aggressive and irrelevant. When I realized the consultation wasn’t helpful and asked for his professional opinion on alternatives to a Marvin action—such as pursuing a domestic violence restraining order (DVRO), preventing unlawful eviction, or securing promised cryptocurrency—he offered no guidance. Instead, he told me to go to the courthouse for self-help services. I paid for a consultation expecting expert advice and was willing to hire him, but he provided no meaningful assistance. I left in tears, feeling dismissed and unheard. Save your money and find a lawyer who listens and cares about your case.

Posted by Jesse | November 16, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Family

The Best Family Law Attorney in Nevada County

Joseph Bell defended me from false accusations and navigated me through a difficult time in my life. His extensive knowledge and experience in family law, along with his professional demeanor facilitated a successful outcome. My daughter and I are forever grateful for his service and I can highly rec...ommend Mr. Bell without reservation.

See All Client Reviews

Joseph James Bell's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Joseph
Stacey F Herhusky headshot
Stacey Herhusky

Family lawyer | Apr 23

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

Allan Scott Haley headshot
Allan Haley

Family lawyer | Jan 31

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Joe is a very competent and thorough attorney, and represents his clients well. His professionalism and ethics make him a pleasure to work with."

View All Endorsements
Stephen Alan Munkelt headshot
Stephen Munkelt

Criminal defense lawyer

Scott Lee Fielder headshot
Scott Fielder

Personal injury lawyer

Peter Scott Browne headshot
Peter Browne

Environmental and natural resources lawyer

Stacey F Herhusky headshot
Stacey Herhusky

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  8.8 (Excellent)

Honors

2009

President 2009, Association of Certified Family Law Specialists

1997

Vice President, State Bar of California, California State Bar

N/A

President, Nevada County Bar, Nevada County Bar Association

Work Experience

2003 - Present

Court appointed counsel - Juvenile Dependency, Nevada County Superior Court

1981 - Present

Organization Attorney, Various Non-Profit Organizations

Associations

1995 - Present

SAC Legal

Member

1987 - Present

American Bar Association

Member

Nevada County Bar Association

Member

Placer County Bar Association

Member

Sacramento County Bar Association

Member

2005 - 2010

Association of California Family Law Specialists

Former President

1997 - 2000

Judicial Council of California, Family and Juvenile Law Advisory Committee

Member

1995 - 1997

California State Bar

Former Vice President

1994 - 1997

Legislative and Court Relations and Legal Services Committees

Member

1986 - 1987

Nevada County Bar Association

Former President

1985 - 2020

Tahoe-Truckee Bar Association

Member

1984 - 2009

State Bar of California

Delegate, Conference of Delegates

Education

1979

New College of California School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1969

University of Nevada

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2019

Annual Nevada County Family Law Update

Family Law Continuing Education

2018

Nevada County Annual Family Law Update

Family Law Continuing Education

2017

Nevada County Annual Family Law Update

Family Law Continuing Education

2016

Nevada County Annual Family Law Update

Family Law Continuing Education

2015

Nevada County Annual FL Update

Family Law Continuing Education

2014

Nevada County Annual FL Update

Family Law Continuing Education

2013

Nevada County Annual FL Update

Family Law Continuing Education

2012

Nevada County Annual FL Update

Family Law Continuing Education

Publications

2007

Association of Certified Family Law Specialists News Legislative Reports

Languages

English

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution