Joslin Monahan is a trial and appellate litigation attorney experienced in municipal, real estate, business, receiverships, adversarial bankruptcy, and land use and zoning litigation. Ms. Monahan has a robust, full-service cannabis law practice serving individuals and companies that grow, produce, distribute and sell a wide variety of goods and amenities.
Cannabis Law

Ms. Monahan is a recognized authority in emerging cannabis law matters, including entity formation, applicant requirements and background checks, and licensing with Michigan’s Cannabis Regulatory Agency as well as municipal licenses, permits and ordinances. She counsels business interests in the cannabis industry, which encompasses marijuana, industrial hemp and CBD. Ms. Monahan has helped with financing structures, real property use, insurance coverage, dispute resolution, and regulatory compliance.

Beginning in 2012, Ms. Monahan served as Cooperating Attorney with the ACLU of Michigan in the critical decision making process supporting the decriminalization of the possession and use of marijuana in Grand Rapids. Ms. Monahan continues to be a vocal advocate for social justice issues, with particular emphasis on ensuring participants within the cannabis space create opportunities for persons of color wherever possible. The Michigan Supreme Court denied further review of the signature case in 2015, affirming the Michigan Court of Appeals 2013 dismissal of the prosecutor’s lawsuit. This case helped pave the way for the eventual vote legalizing cannabis for recreational use in a statewide ballot in 2018.

Ms. Monahan is a member of the International Cannabis Bar Association (INCBA) and the State Bar of Michigan’s Marijuana Law Section.

Articles and Presentations

Ms. Monahan is a frequent speaker on various cannabis and litigation related topics, including presentations on licensing, professional ethics, hemp regulations, and FDA compliance.

Professional Affiliations, Activities, and Honors

Ms. Monahan is Chair of the Western Branch of the ACLU of Michigan (6/2015 – Present) as well as a member of the Western Branch of the ACLU of Michigan (6/2014 – Present). She is also a member of the Lawyers Committee for the Western Branch of the ACLU of Michigan (10/2013 – Present).

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 Masters 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.

Ms. Monahan is admitted to practice in the State of Michigan, the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, the State of Montana, 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.

Jessica Scholl maintains a practice focused on civil and appellate litigation, public entities, medical marijuana regulation, real estate, real property, and contract law. She is admitted to practice in Florida, Alabama, and Colorado, and is an active member of the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association and Inns of Court, Pensacola Chapter.

Ms. Scholl’s public entity and litigation clients present a wide array of issues requiring both legal and practical considerations. Her work in the housing and medical marijuana fields includes providing regulatory guidance in rapidly evolving and highly regulated industries. Her appellate practice offers the opportunity to engage in and contribute to the advancement of binding and persuasive legal authority.

Ms. Scholl earned her juris doctorate from the University of Alabama School of Law, where she was a member in the International Law Students Association, Law and Economics Society, and Environmental Law Society. Prior to law school, Ms. Scholl attended Birmingham Southern College where she received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with an English minor.

Areas of Practice: Appellate Practice, Business Law, Contract Law, Public and Low Income Housing, Real Estate and Real Property, Public Governance/Sunshine Law, Medical Marijuana, Civil Litigation

I represent clients in litigation and compliance-related matters across the country. My compliance practice focuses on solving problems for cannabis companies and their vendors. I advise financial institutions regarding the complex laws governing the provision of financial services to cannabis companies, including the Bank Secrecy Act and related Anti-Money Laundering statutes and regulations.

I also work alongside other members of Bradley’s Cannabis Industry team to provide a full suite of services to cannabis companies. I have helped hemp and medical cannabis companies obtain licenses, structure business entities, raise capital, negotiate contracts with suppliers and distributors, manage IP portfolios, and maintain compliance with the ever-shifting state and federal laws that govern their operations.

My litigation practice focuses on representing bank and non-bank financial institutions in disputes regarding loan repurchase demands, the validity or priority of mortgage liens, the denial of title insurance claims, and alleged violations of consumer protection statutes, like TILA, RESPA, FDCPA, and FCRA. I leverage my financial services litigation experience to assist loan purchasers with due diligence on residential and commercial loan portfolios, identifying title issues, servicing errors, and regulatory risks to advise purchasers on re-pricing and risk mitigation strategies.

I also maintain a robust commercial litigation practice. I represent clients of all sizes – from local businesses to publicly traded companies – in breach of contract, business tort, commercial fraud, and collection disputes.