Jo Anne Leegant was born in New York City.  She received her B.A. from the State University at Buffalo and worked for Erie County, first as a caseworker and later as a probation officer and supervisor before deciding to attend law school.  While she was employed with the Erie County Department of Probation, she received an M.A. in sociology with a concentration in criminal justice from Fordham University. She obtained her J.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1984. She opened her own office in 1986 and engaged in general practice which included criminal law, personal injury, family law, collections, real estate, wills and estates.

Ms. Leegant received a Martindale Hubbell peer  review rating of BV distinguished.