Judge Ashmore presided over probate as well as mental illness cases, and eventually retired from the bench in 1986. After retiring, Joseph Ashmore began practicing law in Dallas where he became a named partner in the law firm of Vassallo and Ashmore. Joe decided to open his own practice to focus on more diverse areas of law. Joe Ashmore along with his son Gary Ashmore who at the time was the Firm's Office Manager started the Firm.