Overview
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.
Industries & Practices
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 (2007–2026)
AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell
Recipient of Business Courier Forty Under Forty Award
Finalist of Cincy Business ATHENA Award
Class XX Member, Leadership Cincinnati
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 - 2005-2011, 2021-2023
Ohio State Bar Association Certified Specialist in Business Commercial and Industrial Real Property Law through 2022
Professional Activities
Current
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
Prior
Board of Trustees, The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County
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
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
Monica Donath Kohnen
- office 513.629.2827
- fax 513.651.3836
-
312 Walnut StreetSuite 1800Cincinnati, OH 45202-4152
Admissions
- Kentucky
- Ohio


