Joslin Monahan is a prominent litigator in Miller Johnson’s Litigation Practice Group, known for her leadership in complex, high-stakes disputes that demand courtroom agility, strategic clarity, and strong trial skills. She represents clients in litigation involving critical business interests, often under urgent and high-pressure conditions. Her practice spans complex commercial litigation, election law, and cannabis law, where she is recognized as one of Michigan’s leading legal authorities.

Ms. Monahan has successfully litigated and tried cases in both state and federal courts, taking matters through trial and verdict. She is regularly called upon to manage “bet-the-company” litigation involving emergency injunctive relief, expedited discovery, trade secrets, business torts, and contractual disputes with existential business implications. Her calm, decisive presence in crisis litigation scenarios has made her a trusted advocate for executives and general counsel facing fast-moving, high-stakes matters.

She has represented clients across a broad spectrum of industries in cases involving emergency injunctive relief, expedited discovery, business torts, partnership disputes, trade secret misappropriation, and contractual disputes with existential implications. From navigating urgent TROs to steering multifaceted litigation toward resolution under accelerated timelines, Ms. Monahan is trusted by executives and general counsel alike for her judgment and results-oriented approach.

In the cannabis industry, Ms. Monahan advises operators, investors, municipalities, and ancillary businesses on licensing, regulatory compliance, and dispute resolution. She helps clients navigate the complex and evolving legal frameworks governing cannabis at the state and local levels. In addition to litigation, she regularly counsels clients on regulatory strategy and risk mitigation.

Ms. Monahan also has notable experience in election law, representing candidates, political organizations, and public entities in both litigation and regulatory matters. Her work includes advising on campaign finance compliance and election-related disputes, providing strategic counsel to clients operating in sensitive and high-visibility contexts.

Before joining Miller Johnson, Ms. Monahan’s practice also included personal injury and other personal tort litigation.

In 2023, Joslin Monahan was recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as an “Influential Woman of Law”.

Ms. Monahan was Chair of the Western Branch of the ACLU of Michigan beginning in June 2015 and has been a member of the Western Branch of the ACLU of Michigan since 2014. She is also a member of the Lawyers Committee for the Western Branch of the ACLU of Michigan (October 2013 – Present). Ms. Monahan is a member of the International Cannabis Bar Association (INCBA) and serves on INCBA’s Ethics Committee.

Education

Ms. Monahan was awarded her law degree from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey Law School in 2007. While in law school, Ms. Monahan was a member of the Journal of Health Care Law and Policy and a member of Phi Delta Phi. Ms. Monahan also received her Master of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of Montana in 2003, where she was the recipient of the University of Montana Philosophy Department full scholarship teaching assistantship. She obtained her B.A., summa cum laude, from Hope College in 2000 where she was awarded the Hope College Presidential Scholarship and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Admissions

Ms. Monahan is admitted to practice in the State of Michigan and the United States District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan.  Ms. Monahan is an inactive member of the State of Montana Bar and has been admitted in the United States District Court for the District of Montana, United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Montana, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.