Joanne is a founding partner of Barbera & Watkins, LLC. Since 1993, Joanne has practiced in business and general aviation law, including aviation regulatory and tax matters. She has extensive experience in the areas of the purchase, sale, leasing, financing and management of corporate aircraft (including domestic and foreign registration) and related insurance, regulatory and federal and state tax issues.
Joanne was the chairperson of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Tax Committee and served on the NBAA Operational Excellence Strategic Focus Team from 2007 to 2009, and continues to serve on the Advisory Group to the Tax Committee and on the Regulatory Issues Advisory Group. She has authored numerous articles on business aviation regulatory and tax topics. Joanne has been recognized by the Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers for excellence in the practice of law, is a member of the International Aviation Women’s Association and is board chair of Angel Flight Central.
Joanne often speaks at NBAA Tax, NBAA Regional Forums and other legal and business aviation programs across the country. She has presented on a variety of topics including personal use of aircraft, state tax issues, carriage of elected officials, heavy maintenance (capitalize or expense), depreciation, passive activity loss limitations, corporate aviation transactions and aircraft ownership and leasing.
Joanne is a 1993 graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, and received her B.A. with honors from the University of Notre Dame. She completed her masters of law degree in taxation (LL.M.) at the University of Missouri at Kansas City in 2006. Joanne is a member of the Missouri and Kansas Bar and is licensed to practice in both states.