Joanne represents families through life-changing events and sensitive disputes. She understands the visceral nature of family conflicts and manages to simplify these complex issues into sensible solutions while building relationships or keeping them intact. Called to the bar in South Africa and British Columbia, she brings a cross-jurisdictional perspective to her practice. Whether structuring spousal support, dividing assets, drafting marriage agreements, or planning multi-generational wealth transfers, Joanne thrives in guiding her clients through these processes to protect their families’ futures, seeking cost-effective resolutions outside of the courtroom where possible.
Joanne earned her BA Law (Political Science major) in 2007 and LLB in 2010 from the University of Johannesburg and was a recipient of a Unilever OMO Bursary. During her articles, she gained experience in insurance subrogation and insolvency litigation. After being called to the bar in South Africa, she gained board and corporate governance experience as inhouse counsel and corporate secretary for various financial services conglomerates. She was recognized as a ‘Top 40 Under 40’ finalist in the 2014 Standard Bank Rising Star Awards. Prior to being called to the bar in British Columbia, Joanne fulfilled a corporate and securities paralegal role, servicing an agnostic range of corporate clients in Canadian capital markets on behalf of international mining companies and large law firms.
Joanne transitioned into family law following her lived experience. Her varied personal and professional perspective brings a unique edge to family law challenges. She has identified nuanced real-world experience market gaps and the need for client centric advocacy. Joanne joined the team at Dreyer and Associates in January 2026.
Joanne’s favorite time is quality time spent with her daughter. She unwinds by cycling, having completed the BC Ride to Conquer Cancer in 2019 and Whistler Grand Fondo in 2023. Since landing in Canada, she sailed around the Gulf Islands and Broughton Archipelago, volunteered at the 2025 Invictus Games, and participates in the Vancouver Sun Run annually.