A citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Joel grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, and attended Catholic High School for Boys. He studied at the UMKC Conservatory of Music, and then went on to obtain degrees in Psychology and Religious Studies from Naropa University. At Naropa, he was awarded the President’s Leadership Scholarship and his senior project in the religious studies department focused on Cherokee history and religion.

While studying at Widener University School of Law, Joel was a student attorney at the environmental law clinic and represented citizen groups pursuing lawsuits under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Administrative Procedures Act. He was also awarded a certificate of achievement by Joseph R. Biden and was on the Dean’s List in 2003.

Upon graduation, Joel was appointed Assistant Counsel with the Pennsylvania Governor’s Office of General Counsel. For the next nine years he represented the executive branch as a trial and appellate attorney focusing on eminent domain, employment, motor vehicle, and environmental law.

Joel joined the CNWO in July 2011. In addition to supervising the office operations and agenda, he focuses on health care, law enforcement, land reform issues, housing and human services.

In his free time, Joel is a marathoner, cyclist, and avid rock climber.