Attorney

Joanna M. Wald

Ms. Wald handles all aspects of family law matters, including complex divorce settlement negotiations, spousal and child support, property characterization and division, child custody disputes, pre-martial and post-marital agreements, as well as domestic violence matters.

Ms. Wald is proficient in Spanish. In 2022, Ms. Wald received the “Barrister of the Year” award from the San Mateo County Barrister’s Section. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the San Mateo County Bar Association (SMCBA), Co-Chair of the SMCBA committee on Professional Equality and Board Member of the Women Lawyers Educational Foundation. She was the SMCBA Barristers Section President in 2020, and Chair of the Diversity Committee for 2020 – 2022.

Ms. Wald earned a Juris Doctorate from San Francisco Law School in 2014, where she was awarded student of the year 2011, 2012 & 2013. She was recognized with the Witkin Award in Civil Procedure in 2012. Ms. Wald was awarded best oral argument, as well as best overall scores in Tyler Moot Court in 2013.

Prior to her legal career, Ms. Wald worked in the government and political sphere, including positions at UCSF Medical Center, interning for a San Francisco Board Supervisor, and interning at the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office.

Ms. Wald enjoys her time as a volunteer for the Sant Mateo County Superior Court’s weekly Family Law Status Conference calendar and San Mateo County Lawyers in The Library. Ms. Wald is an avid San Francisco Giants baseball fan, fine pen collector, bird watcher and loves taking long hikes with her miniature Australian shepherd, Andi.

Bar Admissions

  • California

Education

  • San Francisco Law School, San Francisco, California
    • J.D., 2014
    • Honors: Student of the Year, 2011-2013
    • Honors: Witkin Award in Civil Procedure, 2012
    • Honors: Best Overall Scores Award, Tyler Moot Court, 2013
  • San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California
    • B.A., 2006
    • Honors: Dean’s List
    • Major: Political Science

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • San Mateo County Bar Association, Board of Directors, 2022-2024
  • San Mateo County Bar Association, Diversity Committee, Chair (2020-2022)
  • San Mateo County Bar Association, Barristers Section, President (2020)
  • San Mateo County Bar Association, Family Law Section, Co-Chair (2023)
  • San Mateo County Bar Association, Women Lawyers Foundation, Board Member
  • California Bar Association, Family Law Section

Honors And Awards

  • San Mateo County Bar Association, Barristers Section, Barrister of the Year Award, 2022
  • Northern California Rising Star Super Lawyer, 2019-2022
  • San Mateo County Bar Association, Member of the Month 08/2019

Past Employment Positions

  • UCSF Medical Center, Analyst
  • San Francisco Board of Supervisors, College Intern (Fiona Ma)
  • San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, Law School Intern
  • De Ita, Lowe & Wald, LLP, Partner

Pro-Bono Activities

  • Volunteer, San Mateo Superior Court’s weekly Family Law Status Conference
  • Volunteer, San Mateo County Lawyers in The Library

Profile