Janet Monson

Janet Monson is an attorney and former managing partner at Aafedt, Forde, Gray, Monson & Hager, P.A. She joined a predecessor of the firm in 1981 and has exclusively practiced workers' compensation defense since then. Jan represents employers, insurers, and third-party administrators in the defense of workers’ compensation.

Jan is a nationally recognized expert in her field. She has chaired the annual Workers' Compensation Institute six times and is a frequent lecturer at seminars sponsored by a variety of organizations.

She has been recognized by her peers and is included in Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America. Jan was honored in both 2017 and 2020 as the “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers for Minnesota Worker’s Compensation defense in Minneapolis. In addition, she was inducted into the College of Worker’s Compensation Lawyers in 2020, currently the only woman from Minnesota with this distinction.

Education

• University of Minnesota, J.D., cum laude, 1981
• Bethel College, B.A., highest honors, 1975

Admissions

• Minnesota
• U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota.

Born

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Awards and Recognitions

• 2020 Workers' Compensation Law - Employers "Lawyer of the Year" in Minneapolis, U.S. News and World Report/Best Lawyers (2020)
• 2017 Workers' Compensation Law - Employers "Lawyer of the Year" in Minneapolis, U.S. News and World Report/Best Lawyers (2017)
• Best Lawyers in America® for Workers' Compensation Law - Employers, Best Lawyers® (2008 - current)
• Minnesota Super Lawyers® list, Thomson Reuters Legal (2003 - current)
• Top Women Attorneys in Minnesota by Super Lawyers® (2012 - current)
• Top 100 Women Super Lawyers® in Minnesota, Thomson Reuters Legal (2005 - 2008)
• Top 40 Workers' Compensation Super Lawyers®, Minnesota Law and Politics (2006 - 2009)
• Named as Trendsetter (professional who exemplifies the drive, innovation, and passion of American business), Minnesota Monthly (July 2004)

Publications

• “Chapter 3: Time-Barred Claims,” Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Deskbook, 6^th Edition (2019)
• “Summary Guide to Minnesota Workers’ Compensation,” Minnesota CLE, a division of the Minnesota State Bar Association (2005)

Speaking Engagements

• "The Virtual Workforce: Workers' Compensation Tips and Trends on Compensability," Professional Insurance Women of Minnesota, January 19, 2022
• “Rapid Fire Sessions: Time-Barred Claims,” Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Deskbook, November 30, 2018
• “Return to Work Crossroads: Navigating the Intersection of Workers’ Compensation, the ADA and FMLA,” Taking Attendance: Workplace Leave Obligations and Options, Minnesota CLE, October 30, 2018
• “Return to Work Crossroads: Intersection of Workers’ Compensation with the ADA and FMLA,” Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, May 21, 2018
• “The Elderly Worker: A Primer on Trends in the Workplace and Minnesota Benefit Entitlement,” Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Deskbook, December 1, 2017
• “Traumatic Brain Injuries: Fact v. Fiction,” AFGMH WorkComp WorkShop, October 2, 2015
• “Panel Discussion: When the Quick Question Becomes the Quirky File,” AFGMH WorkComp WorkShop, September 12, 2014
• “Introduction to Workers’ Compensation,” Southwest Metro Human Resources Association (SWMHRA), March 13, 2014
• “Game Changers: Top 10 Workers’ Compensation Cases,” Workers’ Compensation Institute, April 13, 2012
• “New Workers’ Compensation Rules & Legislation Under Consideration This Year,” Workers’ Compensation Institute, April 16, 2010

Involvement

• College of Workers Compensation Lawyers, Fellow (2020)
• Hennepin County Bar Association
• Minnesota Employers Workers Compensation Alliance
• Minnesota State Bar Association
• SFM Foundation, Board Member (2014-2019)
• Six time Co-Chair, Workers’ Compensation Institute
• Twin Cities Claims Association