Anne Joynt, Medina graduate, running for State Supreme Court
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Anne Joynt, a Medina High School graduate, is a candidate for the New York State Supreme Court.
MEDINA – A Medina High School graduate could make history as the first woman from Orleans County to serve on the State Supreme Court.
Anne Joynt, a 1998 MHS graduate and daughter of former Medina teacher/principal Cathy Joynt and the late Robert Joynt, is one of seven candidates running for NYS Supreme Court, 8th Judicial District. There are four judge seats up for election.
Joynt has wanted to become a lawyer from a very early age.
“I remember her asking her dad in elementary school what lawyers did,” Cathy said. “She knew Norris Webster and liked him. Her dad told her that lawyers read, write and argue, to which Anne replied, ‘Those are all things I love to do.’”
Through school, Anne never changed her mind about what she was going to be.
She graduated from Geneseo magna cum laude with degrees in English and Spanish. She enrolled at the University at Buffalo Law School and graduated with her Juris Doctor in 2005.
In her second year of law school, Anne saw an ad that a State Supreme Court candidate was looking for someone to help with her campaign. She went on to assist with the campaign of the Honorable Paula Feroleto, and The Journal-Register in Medina did a story on “Local girl working for State Supreme Court Candidate.” Judge Feroleto is retiring this year, and if she wins, Anne would have the opportunity to assume the seat of her mentor.
While in law school, Joynt was so focused on passing the bar, she was not thinking about getting a job, she said.
“I got an email one day from a law firm asking me to contact them,” Joynt said. “That was 22 years ago, and I’ve been there ever since.”
The firm became Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford. Anne’s law school Research and Writing professor had recommended her to them, and given them a brief she had written in his class when they explained that they were looking for an outstanding writer.
Her clients include injured workers exposed to asbestos, children exposed to lead paint, and abused children.
“She has really worked hard for blue-collar, hard-working individuals and their families,” her mother said.
She regularly represents people who have been unheard.
“It’s important for everyone to be heard,” Anne said. “Everyone’s experience matters.”
In spite of her successful career, Joynt has never forgotten her roots. She returns to Medina regularly with her mother, who kept the family home in Medina until just a few years ago. Cathy’s father was the late Russell Houserman, a teacher and coach in the Medina School System.
“I have always been involved in my community,” Anne said. “My life is so much richer when I’m involved in meaningful organizations and causes I care about.”
She is or has been involved as a member or in a leadership role with the Western New York Women’s Foundation; University at Buffalo Law School Alumni Association; Girls on the Run; Women’s TAP Fund; the Center for Elder Law and Justice; the Erie County Bar Association Aid to Indigent Prisoners Society; the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (Upstate Chapter); National Federation for Just Communities; and the Minority Bar Foundation.
She has also volunteered her time to the Western New York Board of Directors of Geneseo State College; the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, WNY Chapter; Bar Association of Erie County; Buffalo and Erie County Public Library; and Law Intern Program of Buffalo.
Currently she is appointed as a member of the Erie County Water Authority and Erie County Boards of Ethics.
Her honors include “Top 100 Trial Lawyers in New York, National Trial Lawyers, 2025; Best Lawyers in America; University at Buffalo Law School Distinguished Alumni Award- Community Service; Upstate New York Super Lawyer; Woman Lawyer of the Year; Attorney of the Year Leader in Law Award; Woman of Influence by Buffalo Business First; Medina High School’s Distinguished Alumni Award; 2014/15 Woman in Leadership, Buffalo Niagara Chapter; Buffalo 40 Under 40 by Buffalo Business First; and Women in Leadership by NAWBO Buffalo-Niagara.”
Joynt has been published in the Buffalo Human Rights Law Review, and written about in Buffalo Spree Magazine. She has lectured at HB National Lead Litigation Seminars and has given the Jane Ryan Pre-Law Fund Lecture at SUNY Geneseo.
She has been admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court and New York State Supreme Court.
Joynt says she is so proud to be from Orleans County.
“Growing up here taught me how communities are supposed to look and what it feels like to be in a community of people who support each other,” she said. “Medina looks so amazing. The opportunity to return home feels really nice, and I’m hoping to be able to represent the area and share the values I’ve learned here.”
Should Anne be elected, she will be the first graduate of Medina High School to serve on the State Supreme Court.
In the 1800s, Henry Childs, who was born in Gaines and attended Albion Academy, was elected to the State Supreme Court. His home was the house known as the Maple Crest on the corner of West Center and Prospect streets.
The 8th Judicial District includes includes eight counties in WNY: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming .
The candidates include:
- Craig R. Bucki – Democratic, Working Families
- Anne E. Joynt – Democratic, Working Families
- Michael L. Amodeo – Democratic, Republican, Working Families
- Robert N. Richardson – Democratic, Republican, Conservative
- Deanne M. Tripi – Republican, Conservative
- Jonathan S. Hickey – Republican, Conservative
- Robert R. Vario – Conservative
