Joyce began practice as an attorney in Palo Alto, California, where she specialized in general commercial litigation, including matters involving real estate and contract disputes. In June 1985, she joined a well-known Phoenix law firm and assumed responsibilities for major commercial litigation matters as well as corporate, insurance, real estate, business association, and bankruptcy litigation matters. In June 1986, she joined a Scottsdale firm where she became a partner and continued her practice in the commercial litigation field. In December 1989, she co-founded Glover & Van Cott, which, in 2010, became Van Cott & Talamante. She was a member of the Whittier Law Review in 1980-81 as Notes and Comments Editor.