Joy practices in the area of commercial litigation, with a focus on trademark and other intellectual property disputes, trust and estate litigation, and disputes among members of closely held businesses. She has successfully represented numerous clients in trademark infringement and false advertising cases and has extensive experience with trials involving claims of undue influence in estate planning.
Joy is also committed to pro bono representation and community service. She serves as the vice chair of Gray Plant Mooty’s pro bono committee, and has represented pro bono clients in asylum proceedings, landlord/tenant disputes, and consumer debt cases. Since 2007, she has been involved in the Fund for Legal Aid One Hour of Sharing Campaign and now serves as co-chair for the campaign.
Before law school, Joy spent three years as a newspaper reporter in Fargo, North Dakota. Today, she lives in Columbia Heights with her husband.
Representative Cases
Intellectual Property
- Taiyo Int'l, Inc. v. Phyto Tech Corp., 275 F.R.D. 497, 498 (D. Minn. 2011) (successfully brought false advertising claim resulting in favorable settlement for client)
- Clam Corp. v. Innovative Outdoor Solutions, Inc., 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 100938, 89 U.S.P.Q.2d (D. Minn. Dec. 15, 2008) (successfully opposed preliminary injunction in trade dress infringement claim based on the plaintiff’s registration of a color blue for ice fishing shelters)
Trust, Estate, and Fiduciary Litigation
- In re: Estate of Mackenstadt, 62-PR-11-305 (Ramsey County District Court, Probate Division October 2011) (lead counsel at trial successfully defending will against claims of undue influence and lack of testamentary capacity)
- In re: Estate of Nina V. Grazzini, No. 19HA-CV-08-3471 (Dakota County District Court, August 2010)(successfully defended will and trust against claims of undue influence at trial)
- Grazzini-Rucki v. Grazzini, 2010 Minn. App. Unpub. LEXIS 287 (Minn. Ct. App. Apr. 6, 2010) (obtained summary judgment for defendant accused of breaching fiduciary duties)
Commercial Litigation
- Oakley Fertilizer, Inc. v. Rosengren, No. CV-09-4244 (Washington County District Court April 2011) (lead counsel in commercial contract case resulting in judgment at trial for full amount owed to client)
- Dharsee v. Midwest Language Banc, Inc., No. 27-CV-10-21678 (Hennepin County District Court May 2011) (lead counsel obtaining summary judgment for defendant in negligence case)
Publications
- “New to the Bench: Judge Lois R. Conroy,” Hennepin Lawyer, January 2013
- “New to the Bench: Judge Martha Holton Dimick,” Hennepin Lawyer, September 2012
- “New to the Bench: Judge Nancy E. Brasel,” Hennepin Lawyer, January 2012
- “New to the Bench: Judge Patrick Robben,” Hennepin Lawyer, September 2011
- “Litigation Update: Patent Reform Act Signed into Law,” September 2011
- “Litigation Update: Recent Changes in Enforcement of False Patent Marking,” May 2010
- “Case Note: Looking for Something: Minnesota’s New Rule for Interpreting Anti-Assignment Clauses in Travertine Corp. v. Lexington-Silverwood,” 32 William Mitchell Law Review 1435, 2006
Presentations
- “Motions: Procedural Requirements, Strategic and Practical Considerations, and Oral Argument,” presenter, Minnesota State Bar Association CLE Center, May 2012
- “Volunteering in Housing Court,” presenter, Volunteer Lawyers Network CLE, March 2011
Education
- William Mitchell College of Law, J.D., summa cum laude, 2007
William Mitchell Law Review, member
American Civil Liberties Union, William Mitchell Chapter, board secretary
Research Assistant to Professor Daniel Kleinberger - University of St. Thomas, B.A., summa cum laude, 2001
Bar Admissions
- U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota, 2008
- Minnesota, 2007
Professional Activities
- American Bar Association
- Hennepin County Bar Association, member, Hennepin Lawyer magazine committee
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Minnesota Women Lawyers
Community Involvement
- Volunteer Lawyers Network, volunteer, 2007- present
- Gray Plant Mooty Pro Bono Committee, vice chair
- Fund for Legal Aid, One Hour of Sharing Campaign, co-chair
- The Advocates for Human Rights, volunteer attorney
- William Mitchell College of Law, student mentor
- Housing Court, volunteer, 2007- present