Joe’s Experience
The son of a nurse and a small business owner, Joe credits his family’s work ethic to his success as a voice for the injured and disabled.
Joe was born and raised in Southern New Jersey, where he spent time playing and working on his grandparents' farm. While attending high school and college, Joe worked as a landscaper, a catering server, a grocery clerk, and a construction laborer.
After his first year of law school, Joe journeyed to Alaska and worked at a salmon smokery and as a deck hand on a halibut fishing boat back in the days of the 24 hour derby season.
Joe also clerked for a premier Portland, Oregon Plaintiff’s personal injury law firm while in law school, and worked as an intern for the National Wildlife Foundation.
Throughout his career, Joe has focused solely on working with Oregon and Washington families on personal injury, Oregon Workers' Compensation, and Social Security Disability claims. Joe has tried and litigated several cases in state and federal courts throughout Oregon and Washington, and has represented several hundred Claimants before the Social Security Administration and the Oregon Workers’ Compensation Board. Joe has also argued cases before the Oregon Court of Appeals, The Washington Court of Appeals, the Oregon Supreme Court, and the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Joe’s experience includes work on catastrophic injury claims, including spinal cord, traumatic brain, and complex orthopedic injuries. Joe has also worked on major products liability cases and wrongful death cases involving log truck and auto collisions.
Joe is the author of consumer books, including:
- The Oregon Personal Injury Guide
- Navigating the Oregon Workers’ Compensation Maze
- Social Security Disability Guide
Joe has lectured at continuing legal seminars on topics including trial practice and office management, and has appeared as a guest speaker for injury and disability support groups. Joe has also taught at the college level.
Professional Activities
Joe is a member of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, The Washington Association of Justice, the American Association of Justice, and the National Organization of Social Security Claimant’s Representatives. He has served as a member of the Oregon State Bar Workers' Compensation Section Executive Committee.
Joe’s most profound professional experience was his pro bono representation of two New Jersey families before the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund. Returning to his home state, Joe represented a volunteer firefighter who was seriously injured while rescuing another victim of the September 11th terrorist attacks, and a family who lost a father and husband in the World Trade Towers.
The Washington State Bar and the Oregon State Bar Young Lawyers Section have recognized Joe for his pro bono work.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- Oregon State Bar
- Washington State Bar
- US Federal District Court for Oregon
- US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
- US Federal District Court for Western Washington
Community Service
Joe is the former President of the Oregon Wildlife Federation, a former member of the Board of Directors of the Astoria Children’s Museum, and a founding board member of the Astoria Schools Foundation. Joe has coached many youth sports teams, including legendary Blue Tiger Squids soccer team and the Trolley Dodgers softball team. The Di Bartolomeo Law Office supports local youth activities through sponsorships and donations.
Family Activities
Joe lives in Astoria, Oregon with his wife Joanie. Joe and Joanie have two grown children and have recently welcomed a daughter in law into the family.