CALL 24/7We are proud to share that Joanna Sweet, our managing partner at Greg Monforton & Partners, officially became President-Elect of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA) at the association’s annual general meeting on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
A Milestone That Has Been Earned Every Step of the Way
This is not an overnight achievement. Joanna’s path to President-Elect has followed a deliberate progression through OTLA leadership — from board member to executive committee to this moment.
For those who know Joanna’s commitment to injured Ontarians, this milestone comes as no surprise. It is the natural next step for someone who has spent years not just practising law, but actively shaping the environment in which that law is applied.
What Does the Role of President-Elect Mean Within the OTLA?
The OTLA presidency follows a clear three-year leadership path. Each year, the Board of Directors elects a Vice-President from among its 30 members. In the year that follows, that person becomes President-Elect. In the third year, they assume the presidency.
Joanna has followed that path precisely. Having served as Vice-President, she officially stepped into the President-Elect role at the OTLA’s Annual General Meeting on May 7, 2026 — and is set to assume the presidency for the 2027-2028 term.
The OTLA President is an active and visible leadership role. The President reports regularly to the membership, addresses lawyers at the association’s major spring and fall conferences, and leads regional meetings across Ontario. It is a role that carries real responsibility for the direction of plaintiff law in this province — and for the injured Ontarians that plaintiff lawyers serve.
As President-Elect, Joanna will work closely with the current OTLA leadership to prepare for that transition, continue her advocacy on behalf of injured Ontarians, and help guide the association’s priorities at both the educational and governmental level.
Joanna’s Record Speaks for Itself
Joanna Sweet joined Greg Monforton & Partners in 2013 and has built her practice around one principle: injured people deserve fierce, knowledgeable representation.
She represents clients in car accident claims, slip and fall cases, dog bite injuries, long-term disability claims, accident benefits, CPP disability claims, and estate litigation.
Joanna holds a law degree from the University of Windsor and a doctorate in political science from Carleton University. She has taught Constitutional Law and Auto Insurance Law at the University of Windsor, and has been a member of the OTLA board since 2021.
In 2023, she joined the OTLA Executive Committee and currently chairs its Continuing Legal Education committee. She also co-chairs the Essex Law Association Bench and Bar Committee. Joanna holds memberships with The Advocates’ Society and the Canadian Bar Association.
What This Means for Windsor-Essex
Having a Windsor-Essex lawyer ascend to the presidency of a provincial organisation of this significance is something the entire community can take pride in.
Joanna’s leadership at the OTLA level means a local voice — one deeply familiar with the realities facing injured people in our region — will help shape provincial policy and advocacy for years to come.
We are all proud of Joanna Sweet and grateful for the dedication she brings to this role every single day.
Congratulations, Joanna!
