Joanna Sykes-Saavedra

Of Counsel
About

Joanna focuses her practice on helping clients structure and negotiate strategic sourcing, outsourcing, commercial procurement and technology transactions. She represents clients in a variety of sectors, including life sciences, financial services, retail, manufacturing, and government. Joanna's experience includes drafting and negotiating a variety of commercial agreements, including for business process and IT services , software licenses, SaaS subscriptions, cloud and hosting services, clinical trial and research collaboration activities, facilities management and other professional services.

Joanna also has served as an assistant general counsel to a regional healthcare system where she advised on a variety of matters, including the negotiation of information technology, telehealth, provider, professional services and other critical vendor contracts; clinical trial agreements, research and Institutional Review Board activity; and real estate acquisitions and leasing.

In addition, Joanna has been recognized by DLA Piper in connection with her pro bono service. Her representative pro bono matters have included advising a national non-profit in connection with veterans' benefits, obtaining lawful permanent residency status for an unaccompanied minor from Central America, and successfully negotiating a settlement in a trademark dispute for a local theatre company.

Bar admissionsNew JerseyPennsylvania
Education
  • J.D., Rutgers University School of Law
    International Academy of Trial Lawyers Student Advocacy Award



    cum laude
  • M.F.A., Columbia University
    with honors
  • B.F.A., New York University

Awards

The Legal 500 United States

  • Recommended, Outsourcing (2023-2024)
  • Rising Star, Outsourcing (2019)
Additional Awards

In 2019, Joanna was recognized by the Atlantic County Bar Association with the Honorable Benjamin A. Rimm Award. The award is given annually to a young lawyer who best displays the qualities of personal and professional integrity, devotion to the legal profession and dedication to the people of Atlantic County that were exemplified by Judge Rimm.

Pro Bono

Joanna has been recognized by the firm for her commitment to pro bono service, having twice been nominated for a North American Pro Bono Award. She successfully negotiated a settlement agreement for a non-profit theatre company facing a trademark infringement action, and, with a colleague, helped a child from El Salvador secure his status as a legal permanent resident of the United States.

Insight Overview

Joanna has co-authored contributions to DLA Piper's gaming blog, All-In, as well as articles for industry publications examining developments in the legalization of sports betting in New Jersey and other legislation impacting internet gaming initiatives throughout the United States.

Bylines

Prior Experience

Before practicing law, Joanna worked in theatrical management, both on Broadway and for a variety of nonprofit organizations.

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