Joe M. Crosby was born in 1969 in Charleston. He is the son of Dr. Jerry and Kathleen Crosby. Judge Crosby is married to Elise T. Crosby, and they have three children: Jonah A., John Grey and Townsend M.

Judge Crosby received his B.A. degree from The Citadel in 1991, and his J.D. degree from the University of South Carolina in 1994; Judge Crosby was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 1994. He clerked for Judge David Maring, Sr., from 1994-1995. He has been in private practice since that time.

Judge Crosby served on the Georgetown County Board of Education as a member from 2000- 2004. He was elected chairman in 2004 and served in that capacity until his appointment as Master-in-Equity for Georgetown County in 2008. He is active in the Boy Scouts of America, and a member of Prince George Episcopal Church.

In addition to being a member of the Georgetown County Bar Assoc and the South Carolina Bar, Judge Crosby is admitted to the U.S Supreme Court, Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the South Carolina Federal District Court.