JoAnn Hathaway is the Practice Management Advisor for the State Bar of Michigan, where she developed and launched the bar’s Practice Management Department.  She provides hands-on guidance and consulting to over 45,000 lawyers and staff. With two decades of state bar experience, she draws from her multifaceted background as a lawyers professional liability claims director, legal risk manager, legal administrator, and paralegal. JoAnn holds the Registered Professional Liability Underwriter (RPLU) and Cyber Professional Liability Practitioner (CPLP) designations, along with a property and casualty insurance license from the State of Michigan, and has authored the ABA publication Legal Malpractice Insurance in One Hour for Lawyers.

As a member of the ABA Law Practice Division, JoAnn has served on numerous ABA law practice management boards and committees over the years. She is a frequent speaker on law firm practice management, technology, cybersecurity, insurance, and risk management, engaging legal professionals on cutting-edge topics and offering practical solutions for improving firm operations.

Her academic credentials include a Master of Arts in Administration, a Bachelor of Arts in Management & Organizational Development, an Associate of Applied Science in Business/Paralegal Studies, and software certifications from Adobe and LexisNexis.

JoAnn’s experience spans law firm risk management, technology, claims administration, and legal operations, allowing her to offer valuable insights into the legal industry.

JoAnn is a lifelong Michigan resident, where she enjoys contributing to the legal community and supporting local initiatives.