Amanda Paletz

Outreach Coordinator - Legal

Amanda Paletz is the Legal Outreach Coordinator for The Joseph Project. In this role, Amanda helps expand the organization’s Legal First Responders network into new jurisdictions. Prior to assuming this role, she served as The Joseph Project’s Legal Director for five years.

Amanda practices in the area of criminal defense, representing clients at the trial level (i.e. misdemeanors, felonies, juvenile dispositions), as well as the appellate level in both the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court. She also represented clients charged with federal crimes in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Due to her experience handling criminal matters, Amanda was a contributing author for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE), where she detailed the consequences of registering as a sex offender in the State of Michigan.

Amanda also practices in the area of family law, where she represents clients in divorce cases, post-judgment custody and support matters, and cases involving the termination of parental rights. Her passion for helping individuals in difficult circumstances makes her a strong advocate for her clients.

Education:

  • Michigan State University; BA Political Science (1999)

  • Michigan State University, BA Criminal Justice (1999)

  • University of Detroit Mercy School of Law; JD (2002)

Bar Admissions:

  • State Bar of Michigan, (2002)

  • United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan (2004)

  • United States District Court, Western District of Michigan (2007)

Memberships/Certifications:

  • Member, Criminal Law Section, State Bar of Michigan

  • Member, Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan

  • Member, Family Law Section, State Bar of Michigan

  • Member, Michigan’s Women’s Lawyer’s Association

  • Member, Michigan’s Inter-Professional Association

  • State Bar of Michigan Family Law Certification (2008)

Publications:

  • Contributing Author, “Collateral Consequences of a Criminal Conviction” (2012), Institute Of Continuing Education (ICLE).

Volunteer:

  • House of Providence (2017)

  • Member, State Bar of Michigan’s Character and Fitness Committee (2011-2012)

  • Advisor, State Bar of Michigan’s Domestic Violence Committee (2011)

  • Service to Soldiers (2010)