As Senior Advisor, US & Lead Counsel, Marla Project, Joanna leads CIVIC’s work advocating for amends on behalf of civilians harmed in US operations.

A human rights lawyer, she coordinates individualized representation and support for civilian victims and survivors through CIVIC’s Marla Ruzicka Project for Amends and Redress, in partnership with the Zomia Center. Joanna regularly engages with policymakers, advocates, and journalists on US civilian harm response. 

Joanna comes to CIVIC from Zomia, where she cofounded and led the organization’s Redress Program, the Marla Project’s predecessor. She previously worked as a researcher and advocate at Physicians for Human Rights and Human Rights Watch.

Prior to law school, she spent almost five years with the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section of the Criminal Division of the US Department of Justice. Joanna has been interviewed by The New York Times, Washington Post, NPR, AP, CNN, USA Today, and other outlets. Joanna holds a law degree from New York University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University. She is admitted to practice law in the state of New York.