Principal Solicitor
Joan was admitted as a solicitor in 1995.
She has extensive knowledge of the criminal justice system and advises on all areas of criminal law ranging from road traffic matters to theft, fraud, sexual offences, serious assault, and murder.
Joan has represented clients in high profile cases. In 2004 she defended one of the largest confiscation proceedings brought by the DWP – £36 million.
Since 2006 Joan has practised almost exclusively in the crown court. She obtained her Higher Rights of Audience in 2006. In 2016 she was called to the bar by The Inner Temple. Joan has appeared as both sole advocate and led junior in serious drugs, firearms and murder trials.
In 2015 Joan defended one of the first British women to be arrested for preparing for acts of terrorism under the 2006 Terrorism Act. The client was later de-arrested for that offence and was charged with using a false identity document to travel to Syria. She was given a suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty.
In November 2016 Joan appeared as sole advocate in the first case brought by Lewisham Metropolitan Police under the recently enacted controlling and coercive behaviour in an intimate or familial relationship. She successfully defended the case earning a commendation from the trial Judge who remarked that Ms Mitchell’s cross-examination of the prosecution’s main witness was “fair and effective.”
Joan previously worked for leading civil rights firm Fisher Meredith who were at that time one of the largest criminal legal aid practices in England. She rose to the role of Partner before moving on to become a consultant solicitor in 2005.
Joan is passionate about her work and works tirelessly to obtain the best outcome for her clients.
Joan is a court and police station duty solicitor.
