team-member

Joanne Stella

Durham, NH

N/A

Law Degree

Awards

Primary Practice Area

Criminal Defense

Language

English

About

Attorney Joanne M. Stella has been representing clients in New Hampshire since graduating from Boston University School of Law in 1993.  Over 20 years of outstanding and compassionate criminal defense and civil litigation. During law school Attorney Stella was a research assistant to a law professor working on Title VII and IX Sexual Harassment laws.  She spent her first summer interning for an International Dispute Resolution Firm in London, England and spent her second summer working for the Alaska Public Defender’s Office where she gained a passion for representing those falsely accused of crimes. Upon graduation and up until 1996 Attorney Stella worked tirelessly as a court appointed counsel for indigent defendants in the criminal courts.  As a New Hampshire Public Defender her caseload included felony level sexual assault and drug cases as well as misdemeanor criminal offenses and juvenile delinquency offenses. After leaving the Public Defender’s office Attorney Stella began her own practice as the contract attorney hired to provide legal services to all full-time students at the University of New Hampshire (UNH).  During her 18 year tenure as the UNH legal services attorney she has represented over 9,000 students.  Many thousands of those cases involved drug and alcohol offenses, as well as the litany of criminal offenses often connected to the use of substances such as DWI, Possession of Fake IDs, Simple Assault, Resisting Arrest, Underage Intoxication, etc.  Attorney Stella has experience representing those charged locally by the Durham Police, UNH Police, Dover Police, New Hampshire Liquor Law Enforcement Officer and New Hampshire State Police as well as representation in the surrounding communities such as Newmarket and Portsmouth.   In addition to guidance in their criminal cases, UNH students received expert advice from Attorney Stella on the collateral consequences affecting their status as a student for such things as financial aid, scholarships, study abroad, disciplinary matters, immigration issues for international students and the potential impact on future employment.  Attorney Stella has the knowledge and experience to guide young adults through this maze of sanctions that can occur as a collateral consequence of being arrested.   Also, during her time at UNH Attorney Stella counseled thousands of students involved in landlord tenant disputes and twice argued their cases successfully in the New Hampshire Supreme Court. Attorney Stella has tried hundreds of cases, both criminal and civil, and everything in between from Supreme Court appeals to motor vehicle hearings.   She has represented thousands of clients and has a proven track record of success.  Attorney Stella always provides a free consultation and will take the time address each client’s needs expertly and with compassion.

Practices Areas

Criminal Defense

Litigation

Family

DUI and DWI

Language

English

Contact

9 Madbury Road, Suite 101Durham, NH, 03824 Mobile (603) 312-2465 Office (603) 812-8627 9 Madbury Road, Suite 101Durham, NH, 03824 Mobile (603) 312-2465(603) 312-2465 Office (603) 812-8627(603) 812-8627

Office: (855) 369-1024

Website: N/A

Reviews

Jerry
February 4, 2022

Joanne was very professional kept in contact with me appraised me about all aspects of my case and discussed all o;ptions and procedures she would be taking on my behalf I was very happy with her representation

anonymous
February 4, 2022

I am the parent of a UNH student who was arrested for a petty matter that should have been handled outside of the criminal justice system. The risk to the student's reputation and future is significant when this happens and going it alone can lead to bad outcomes. Attorney Stella handled this case very professionally and achieved the best outcome possible under the circumstances. She is professional, responsive, and extremely knowledgeable about how the town and university disciplinary processes work. We felt that we were in very good hands with Attorney Stella navigating through a frustrating system that is in serious need of common sense reform.

anonymous
December 16, 2021

Great lawyer helped me get my case resolved. Very nice very professional.

Jennifer
November 11, 2021

We were fortunate to be referred to Atty Stella as she was critical in helping us navigate a process we knew nothing about, in what seemed like an unreasonable timeframe. She knows the rules and the players, and the players all know her. She got us the result we had hoped for.

anonymous
August 9, 2021

Attorney Stella came highly recommended and for good reason. She effectively represented an underage person falsely accused of possession of alcohol purely by association. We avoided a charge going on the record due to Attorney Stella negotiating a very fair agreement.

anonymous
February 10, 2021

Joanne solves my case in a time matter while keeping in constant communication with me!

Christian
October 20, 2020

There are absolutely no words to describe how amazing of a job she does. From being kind to being utmost professional, there is no other lawyer I would want to go to for traffic incidents besides her!

anonymous
June 11, 2020

I hit a parked car at night and didn’t know what to do, so I left (dumb I know now). When I called the cops the next day, unfortunately it was too late. She was able to bring this class b misdemeanor (“hit and run”) down to a moving violation. She was not only insightful and kind, but extremely professional and smart.

Robert
April 14, 2020

In 2019 I made a poor decision which resulted in being charged multiple misdemeanor A charges. A 2nd degree DUI, 2 counts of conduct after accident in two separate counties and a obstruction of justice. I worked in the technology field so getting myself into this mess was devastating. Throughout the process Ms. Stella had informed me of all information throughout the process and never gave any false hope. She encouraged me to still just focus on myself while she proceeded with the legal side of things. She had initially reached out with the first charges being pursued by the prosecutor and I pleaded to push for less. She agreed but had also reminded me that what I did was quite severe. In the end the Original agreement and the agreed upon plea were quite distant I was happy to accept and proceeded. After things were complete Joanne still followed through and still insisted to help until all my legal stuff was done and through outside the courtroom. With her efforts I was able to get back working in my field of study and owe it all to Joanne. I would highly recommend her to anyone who needs any legal help. Not only will she work her hardest but she will be completely blunt and honest while pushing you to just better yourself.

anonymous
March 22, 2020

Awesome lawyer. Very knowledgeable. She knew exactly what to do with my case and how to get me to the best outcome. She made the whole experience much less stressful. Would recommend to anyone!

Jerry
February 4, 2022

Joanne was very professional kept in contact with me appraised me about all aspects of my case and discussed all o;ptions and procedures she would be taking on my behalf I was very happy with her representation

anonymous
February 4, 2022

I am the parent of a UNH student who was arrested for a petty matter that should have been handled outside of the criminal justice system. The risk to the student's reputation and future is significant when this happens and going it alone can lead to bad outcomes. Attorney Stella handled this case very professionally and achieved the best outcome possible under the circumstances. She is professional, responsive, and extremely knowledgeable about how the town and university disciplinary processes work. We felt that we were in very good hands with Attorney Stella navigating through a frustrating system that is in serious need of common sense reform.

anonymous
December 16, 2021

Great lawyer helped me get my case resolved. Very nice very professional.

Jennifer
November 11, 2021

We were fortunate to be referred to Atty Stella as she was critical in helping us navigate a process we knew nothing about, in what seemed like an unreasonable timeframe. She knows the rules and the players, and the players all know her. She got us the result we had hoped for.

anonymous
August 9, 2021

Attorney Stella came highly recommended and for good reason. She effectively represented an underage person falsely accused of possession of alcohol purely by association. We avoided a charge going on the record due to Attorney Stella negotiating a very fair agreement.

anonymous
February 10, 2021

Joanne solves my case in a time matter while keeping in constant communication with me!

Christian
October 20, 2020

There are absolutely no words to describe how amazing of a job she does. From being kind to being utmost professional, there is no other lawyer I would want to go to for traffic incidents besides her!

anonymous
June 11, 2020

I hit a parked car at night and didn’t know what to do, so I left (dumb I know now). When I called the cops the next day, unfortunately it was too late. She was able to bring this class b misdemeanor (“hit and run”) down to a moving violation. She was not only insightful and kind, but extremely professional and smart.

Robert
April 14, 2020

In 2019 I made a poor decision which resulted in being charged multiple misdemeanor A charges. A 2nd degree DUI, 2 counts of conduct after accident in two separate counties and a obstruction of justice. I worked in the technology field so getting myself into this mess was devastating. Throughout the process Ms. Stella had informed me of all information throughout the process and never gave any false hope. She encouraged me to still just focus on myself while she proceeded with the legal side of things. She had initially reached out with the first charges being pursued by the prosecutor and I pleaded to push for less. She agreed but had also reminded me that what I did was quite severe. In the end the Original agreement and the agreed upon plea were quite distant I was happy to accept and proceeded. After things were complete Joanne still followed through and still insisted to help until all my legal stuff was done and through outside the courtroom. With her efforts I was able to get back working in my field of study and owe it all to Joanne. I would highly recommend her to anyone who needs any legal help. Not only will she work her hardest but she will be completely blunt and honest while pushing you to just better yourself.

anonymous
March 22, 2020

Awesome lawyer. Very knowledgeable. She knew exactly what to do with my case and how to get me to the best outcome. She made the whole experience much less stressful. Would recommend to anyone!

Jerry
February 4, 2022

Joanne was very professional kept in contact with me appraised me about all aspects of my case and discussed all o;ptions and procedures she would be taking on my behalf I was very happy with her representation

anonymous
February 4, 2022

I am the parent of a UNH student who was arrested for a petty matter that should have been handled outside of the criminal justice system. The risk to the student's reputation and future is significant when this happens and going it alone can lead to bad outcomes. Attorney Stella handled this case very professionally and achieved the best outcome possible under the circumstances. She is professional, responsive, and extremely knowledgeable about how the town and university disciplinary processes work. We felt that we were in very good hands with Attorney Stella navigating through a frustrating system that is in serious need of common sense reform.

anonymous
December 16, 2021

Great lawyer helped me get my case resolved. Very nice very professional.

Jennifer
November 11, 2021

We were fortunate to be referred to Atty Stella as she was critical in helping us navigate a process we knew nothing about, in what seemed like an unreasonable timeframe. She knows the rules and the players, and the players all know her. She got us the result we had hoped for.

anonymous
August 9, 2021

Attorney Stella came highly recommended and for good reason. She effectively represented an underage person falsely accused of possession of alcohol purely by association. We avoided a charge going on the record due to Attorney Stella negotiating a very fair agreement.

anonymous
February 10, 2021

Joanne solves my case in a time matter while keeping in constant communication with me!

Christian
October 20, 2020

There are absolutely no words to describe how amazing of a job she does. From being kind to being utmost professional, there is no other lawyer I would want to go to for traffic incidents besides her!

anonymous
June 11, 2020

I hit a parked car at night and didn’t know what to do, so I left (dumb I know now). When I called the cops the next day, unfortunately it was too late. She was able to bring this class b misdemeanor (“hit and run”) down to a moving violation. She was not only insightful and kind, but extremely professional and smart.

Robert
April 14, 2020

In 2019 I made a poor decision which resulted in being charged multiple misdemeanor A charges. A 2nd degree DUI, 2 counts of conduct after accident in two separate counties and a obstruction of justice. I worked in the technology field so getting myself into this mess was devastating. Throughout the process Ms. Stella had informed me of all information throughout the process and never gave any false hope. She encouraged me to still just focus on myself while she proceeded with the legal side of things. She had initially reached out with the first charges being pursued by the prosecutor and I pleaded to push for less. She agreed but had also reminded me that what I did was quite severe. In the end the Original agreement and the agreed upon plea were quite distant I was happy to accept and proceeded. After things were complete Joanne still followed through and still insisted to help until all my legal stuff was done and through outside the courtroom. With her efforts I was able to get back working in my field of study and owe it all to Joanne. I would highly recommend her to anyone who needs any legal help. Not only will she work her hardest but she will be completely blunt and honest while pushing you to just better yourself.

anonymous
March 22, 2020

Awesome lawyer. Very knowledgeable. She knew exactly what to do with my case and how to get me to the best outcome. She made the whole experience much less stressful. Would recommend to anyone!