Jo Ann Shartrand is a partner in the Shartrand law firm, which she formed in 1993. Attorney Shartrand is a cum laude graduate of Albany Law School and has been admitted to the New York State Bar since 1985.  Attorney Shartrand commenced her career with the law firm of Rowley, Forrest and O’Donnell in Albany, New York, wherein she worked as a litigation associate.  After leaving that law firm, Jo Ann joined the law firm of Ruthman, Feinberg and Dumas in Colonie, New York, where  she began to practice in the areas of family and matrimonial law.  Ms. Shartrand is also the owner of the Divorce and Family Mediation Center, where she has provided mediation services for clients choosing an alternative dispute resolution process since 1996.  Attorney Shartrand is a member of the Albany County and New York State Bar Association.  She is a founding director and past president of the Collaborative Divorce Association of the Capital District.  She is also an accredited mediator and member of the New York State Council of Divorce Mediation, and has served on their committee for their annual mediation training in New York State.  Ms. Shartrand has served as an Impartial Hearing Officer for the Department of Education since 2013. Ms. Shartrand has been a presenter at the Albany Law School in their Family Law Class on Collaborative Divorce. Attorney Shartrand further provides extensive pro bono services for clients through the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, Inc., and volunteers her time at the Albany Law School judging the annual moot court competitions. She is rated BV Distinguished by Martindale-Hubbell for legal ability and ethics, and “Ten Best” for client satisfaction by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys.