I began practicing in 2006 after graduating from law school at the University of Arizona. I started my career as a prosecutor. In 2009, I opened my own divorce and family law firm, Joan Bundy Law. That’s what I have been doing happily ever since.

While serving as a prosecutor, I managed a large caseload consisting primarily of cases involving domestic violence. It was an eye-opening experience. I saw firsthand how the legal system can serve as a positive force to help families escape abusive and sometimes life-threatening situations and move forward with their lives. On the flip side, I learned that the adversarial nature of the justice system can sometimes stand in the way of a positive outcome. These experiences sparked my interest in practicing divorce and family law. They also affected how I approach my practice.

In the many years I have been practicing family law, I have noticed a growing perception that legal services are commodities. To a large extent, attorneys have brought this on themselves by advertising low flat fees and offering cookie-cutter solutions to complex legal issues. Law firms have almost become assembly lines designed to maximize billable hours. The only winners are the attorneys. In contrast, I look at each client’s matter individually and recommend the approach I believe is most likely to bring the best outcome under his or her particular set of circumstances. My goal is to provide a customized legal strategy that is most likely to bring the legal matter to a conclusion as quickly, fairly, and cost-effectively as possible. I draw on many years of experience exclusively in Arizona divorce and family law.

I get that question a lot. The answer is no. I draw a distinction between assertively advocating for my clients and being aggressive strictly for the sake of being aggressive. Some attorneys put on a show of being nasty with the other party or slamming them with an unreasonable number of motions and discovery requests. Guess what? It’s usually self-defeating. An overly aggressive strategy can prolong the legal proceeding and cost the client more money. It can derail a settlement. Judges see right through it, usually not favorably. I take a pragmatic, professional approach. I do everything I can to spare my clients the cost and stress of going to court. But if we need to go to court, I am as assertive and strategic as needed to help my clients get the most favorable outcome possible.

I find all aspects of family law to be fascinating. But I am particularly interested in emerging areas of family law. For example, LGBTQ issues are constantly evolving. Even though same-sex marriage has been legal nationwide since 2015, other laws and regulations, at both the federal and state level, are still catching up. I’m happy that many same-sex clients place their trust in me knowing that I provide a caring, supportive environment. As an animal lover, I try to make sure that the needs of family pets are taken seriously in divorce cases. Also, I’m a big fan of mediation. Sometimes, but not always, it provides a less painful, more cost-effective alternative to resolving disputes. In addition to the mediation work I do for clients, I have served as a volunteer mediator for Maricopa County Justice Courts.

No, I don’t. For attorneys, free consultations are loss leaders. The attorney gives the prospective client a half hour of his or her time, typically just over the phone, hoping to receive thousands of dollars in business in return. I prefer to give prospective clients legal information they can use right away. I take the time to answer all their questions and may advise them on possible legal strategies. What I don’t do is give them a sales pitch. The initial consultation lasts a full hour at a discounted rate of $160. If the person chooses to hire me, I typically charge an hourly rate but may charge a flat fee for some simple or limited-scope matters.

Trust is essential to any successful professional relationship. If you’re going to have surgery, you trust the surgeon to do what is in the best interest of your health. The same principle applies to a lawyer-client relationship. But the trust needs to be earned. I try to do so through communication and transparency. For example, as a client, you receive detailed, itemized billing statements periodically or anytime on request. If you have questions about your bill, I answer them promptly, at no charge. Throughout your legal matter, I want you to feel confident of where your money is going and why.

Hearing from former clients who, with my help, have moved beyond the stress of the situation they were in and have built a better life for themselves and their families. I especially like it when they send baby pictures!

My primary goals are to:

• Always represent the best interests of the client and his or her children.
• Provide personal service and customized legal strategies.
• Recommend the most efficient, most cost-effective, and least painful legal strategy.
• Provide reassurance and hope at a time when the client is feeling vulnerable, discouraged, or threatened.
• Be direct and honest with the client, even if it means occasionally saying things he or she may not want to hear.
• Listen.
• Treat every client, without exception, with compassion, respect, and dignity.

My undergraduate degree is in journalism. For several years, I worked as a newspaper reporter. I also worked in marketing and public relations. Because of my writing background, I tend to be a stickler for detail in court filings, agreements, and other written communications—sometimes to the chagrin of opposing counsel.

As I mentioned, I am an animal lover. I enjoy giving presentations to professional and community organizations on animal law issues. I am a member and past chairperson of the State Bar of Arizona’s Animal Law Section. For many years, I have been a board member of, volunteer for, or financial contributor to many animal welfare organizations. My secondary passion is music. I am a third-generation bell choir director. I enjoy singing and giving piano lessons. Also, I inherited my mother’s love of quilting and other crafts, and have been an avid family history researcher for over 20 years.

Many people ask that question and are surprised that the answer is no. After all, I am a family law attorney. I have been happily married for over 25 years, but my husband and I were not blessed with children of our own. So I fulfill my love for children by helping my clients make life better for their children. Also, I consider my pets to be my children.

I was prepared for that one. Call 480.463.4600 to schedule a one-hour case review.