Joana was admitted to practice in 1994 in South Australia. She worked as a solicitor at Caldicott & Co until she signed the bar roll in 1997 and joined Bar Chambers, where she continues to practice today.

Joana specialises in criminal law and appears regularly as counsel in the Magistrates, District and Supreme Courts.

She is the author of Motor Vehicle Law South Australia and a significant part of her practice involves defending those charged with motor vehicle and traffic offences. She also holds the rank of Squadron Leader in the RAAF Specialist Reserve.

Personally and professionally, she has been an advocate for animal rights and has appeared as counsel for Animal Liberation in civil and criminal proceedings in South Australia and Victoria. She was appointed as Chair of the Animal Law Committee of the Law Society when it was first formed in February 2010 and has been reappointed for 2011 and 2012.

Joana presented at Flinders University in Adelaide.