Always willing to learn new things, Monica recently began riding dirt bikes with her husband.

Monica practices in the areas of banking, business, construction and real estate law. She counsels clients in the acquisition, sale, development, leasing, exchanges, construction, tax valuation, zoning and financing of industrial, commercial and residential properties including, but not limited to, manufacturing plants, offices, distribution sites, telecommunication facilities, restaurants, parks, residential subdivisions and farms. She also assists clients in obtaining grants, low interest loans and tax abatements from economic incentive programs offered by local and state governments. She assists business clients with strategy, process and review of contracts and counsels clients in mergers and acquisitions, buy-sell agreements and employment agreements. Monica also advises the Firm's banking and financial services clients with respect to loan transactions and business strategy and she provides both real estate and business counsel in connection with a variety of litigation matters.

Monica has been consistently selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for her work in Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law and Real Estate Law, consistently recognized as an Ohio Super Lawyer, consistently recognized as a Cincinnati Leading Lawyer, and consistently recognized with an AV Peer Review Rating, the highest rating given to lawyers by Martindale-Hubbell.

Leadership : Firm & Community
Monica has served in multiple leadership positions within the firm, serving as a Member of the Firm’s Executive Committee, Chair of the Commercial Real Estate Industry Group, and Co-Chair of the Firm’s Banking and Financial Services Industry Group. She is the founder and Co-Chair of the Firm’s Women’s Professional Development Group. Community leadership roles include service on the Boards of The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Cincinnati Sight Restoration Foundation Inc., Downtown Cincinnati Inc, The Junior League of Cincinnati, Ursuline Academy, and The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.

Education

Duke University, B.A., cum laude, Economics

University of Cincinnati College of Law, J.D. Member, Order of Barristers

Distinctions

Listed, The Best Lawyers in America® – Corporate Law (2007–2025)

AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell

Recipient of Business Courier Forty Under Forty Award

Finalist of Cincy Business ATHENA Award

Finalist of Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce Woman Business Mentor of the Year

Licensed Ohio Title Agent through 2022

Cincinnati Leading Lawyer - 2007-2016 & 2018-2022

Ohio Super Lawyer - 2005-2001

2021-2023

Ohio State Bar Association Certified Specialist in Business Commercial and Industrial Real Property Law through 2022

Professional Activities

Board of Trustees, The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County

Board of Trustees, Cincinnati Sight Restoration Foundation Inc.

Representative, Greater Cincinnati Green Business Counsel

Member, CREW Network

Duke University Alumni Association

Women’s Committee Cincinnati Riverfront Parks

Board of Trustees, Downtown Cincinnati Inc.

Board Member - Legal Advisor to the Board, The Junior League of Cincinnati

Board of Trustees, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden

Board of Trustees, Ursuline Academy

Treasurer, Portman for Congress Committee

Board Member, Hamilton County Board of Building Standards

Class XX Member, Leadership Cincinnati

Steering Committee Member, Overture Awards

Division Co-Chair, United Way Fund Raising Cabinet

Fundraising Cabinet Member, Cincinnati Association for the Performing Arts

Finance Committee Member, Christ the King Church

Member of Corporate Leadership Council, Children’s Hospital Medical Center

Hamilton County Republican Finance Committee

Member, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center Planned Giving Committee

Board Member, She Leads Hamilton County Club

Resource Centers

Speaking Engagements

Monica Donath Kohnen accepted an invitation from her two daughters to climb the Grand Teton in the summer of 2008. The route is precipitous, and the 13,700-foot summit towers above the clouds on most days. It’s not a climb for tourists.

“I don’t think I’ve been so mentally and physically challenged for such an extended period in my life. All day, every second, you have to watch what you’re doing. At one point, I was belaying both my kids. I’d gotten myself to a little ledge, I had a line, and my kids are coming up behind me. If they were to fall, I was it.

“I don’t think I’ve ever gripped anything so tightly in my life as I was holding onto that line. I wasn’t expecting anything like that when I signed up.”

The story offers a few insights into Monica. She’s not afraid of a challenge, and she’s not afraid to compete. “Competitive, in a good way” is how she describes herself.

She grew up in a neighborhood that was full of kids who stayed busy playing baseball and football, climbing trees and riding bikes. It was boys, mostly, but she said the girls held their own.

“The idea of driving yourself – whether you’re trying to climb the highest tree or do that three-mile morning run a few seconds faster – is what compels me. For me, it’s more internal. Not to say I don’t think it’s good to get a team fired up to get something done. What I mean is, somebody’s going to win, and I’d rather be that person.”

Tennis was her sport. As a teen, she was ranked at the City, Ohio Valley and Western Regional levels. At Duke, she joined the team as a walk-on. These days, she regards herself as a respectable squash player. So do those who have to play against her.

“I played against all types of people, had an opportunity to observe them and had to make corresponding adjustments in strategy to fit the game. That’s helped me in the law practice. As a player, I was described as tenacious and cool headed – no racquet throwing or other antics were allowed in my family.”

At Bricker Graydon, Monica has a real estate, business and banking practice. She enjoys the problem-solving part of her work, matching solutions to the client’s goals, whether clients tend to be aggressive, try creative approaches or just want to get the deal done.