Prior to establishing her own firm in 2001, Joan Berry Nassar practiced in several private law firms in South Carolina and Florida. She has practiced exclusively in the area of family law since 1994.
INSTRUCTOR
Brevard Community College, now Eastern Florida State College, Melbourne / Cocoa, Florida
Writing (Fall 1994), Legal Research (Fall 1994), Family Law (Fall 1996)
Limestone College, St. George, South Carolina
Business Law (1992)
MEMBERSHIPS
American Bar Association Member
Florida Bar Association Member, 1993 – present
Family Law Section Member, 2000 – present
Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee Member, 2002 – 2003
Brevard County Bar Association Member, 1993 – present
Young Lawyers Division of Brevard County Bar Association
Executive Board Member, 1994 -1997,
President, 1996 – 1997
Family Law Advisory Group, 2005 – 2007
Chair – Divorce Symposium 2006 and 2007
Brevard Bar Foundation – Lifetime Charter Member
Family Law Advisory Group, 2005-2008
Chair – Divorce Symposium, 2006 and 2007
Brevard County Association of Women Lawyers, 2000 – 2002
Vassar B. Carlton American Inn of Court
Pupil, 1995 -1997
Barrister, 1999-2002 (Secretary/Treasurer)
Master, 2008 – 2012
Team Mentor, 2008-2009
Secretary/Treasurer, 2008-2011
President, 2011-2012 During this tenure, our Inn received the “Achieving Excellence Platinum Distinction
Award” (highest level awarded) which recognizes the Inn’s progress toward Inn management (administration, communications, programs, mentoring and outreach).
Master Emeritus, 2012 – present
Mentor of the Year Award 2015
South Carolina Bar Association, 1990 – present (Currently inactive)
MEDIATION
Supreme Court of Florida Certified Family Mediator, 1996 to present
5th District Court of Appeals Approved Appellate Mediator, 2008 to present
Brevard County Contract Mediator, 1996 – 2003
COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE
Collaborative Training Symposium, 2007
Introductory Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice Training, 2018
Member of the Brevard Collaborative Association
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Recipient of First Annual Young Lawyers Professionalism Award from the Brevard County Bar , 1999 – “For her tireless pursuit and practice of the highest ideals and tenets of the legal profession and for consistently demonstrating the essential ingredients of professionalism – Character, Competence and Commitment.”
Brevard County Legal Aid – Outstanding Pro Bono Service, 2001 and 2004
Preston J. Silvernail Civility Award, 2017 – “For Commitment to Excellence in the Practice of Law and the Respectful and Courteous Treatment of all People and for Conducting Oneself in a Way That Brings Honor to the Legal Profession”
IN THE COMMUNITY
New Life Mission – In a Christ-centered environment, New Life Mission equips homeless moms to transform their families for generations. Through education, accountability, and goal advancement, the program empowers families to become self-sufficient and break the cycle of homelessness.
Director – September 2018 through December 2019
Secretary – January 2019 through December 2020
Vice Chair – January 2020 through December 2020
Chair – January 2021 through present
South Brevard Debutante Assembly Committee member, 2013-2021 – This 15-month program prepares young women educationally, culturally, and socially as our next generation of community leaders. The South Brevard Debutante Assembly Committee serves the community as a nonprofit charity supporting Serene Harbor.
Career Day, 2010 – Westshore Junior/Senior High School – “Law as a Career”
Justice Teaching, 2007-2011 – Longleaf Elementary – presented an activity designed to introduce students to the rights guaranteed under the constitution.
Former speaker at “What to Expect When Filing for a Divorce” sponsored by the Brevard Community College and the18th Judicial Circuit Judges