Joseph Alexander Paletta was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area. After graduating cum laude from Washington & Lee University in Virginia in 1982, he returned to Pittsburgh, achieving his Juris Doctor from Duquesne University Law School in 1985. His father, Leonard J. Paletta, was a highly respected trial lawyer in Pittsburgh in the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s, and was the inspiration for Joseph becoming a lawyer. In fact, a Paletta has maintained a law office in the Frick Building, the heart of the Pittsburgh legal community, for almost 50 years.

Attorney Paletta has been engaged in the practice of criminal defense law in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area for over 25 years. During that time, he has tried significantly more than 100 jury trials, and hundreds more non-jury trials. In recent years, his law practice has become focused on defending those persons charged with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (D.U.I.), and also narcotics crimes. Furthermore, as a result of years of practice in these areas, and the experience of representing many Doctors and Nurses charged with the aforesaid crimes, Attorney Paletta has developed expertise in representing these medical professionals in medical license investigations and prosecutions by the specific licensing boards (i.e. the Board of Nursing).