Joëlle Monlouis advises and represents sports organisations, businesses and their executives on strategic decisions, transactions and international disputes.
Her background brings together business law practice, executive office in football and in-depth knowledge of sports institutions. This experience enables her to address the legal, economic and institutional dimensions of each matter.
Governance and executive office in football
Secretary General of the French Football Federation and a member of its Executive Committee since December 2024, Joëlle Monlouis participates in the governance of French football. She holds this elected office alongside her legal practice, from which it remains separate.
She previously served two terms on the Management Committee of the Paris Île-de-France Football League, from 2016 to 2024, and was Vice-President from 2021 to 2024.
This background gives her direct experience of decisions affecting sports organisations, their institutional balance and the demands of leadership. It informs her understanding of the issues facing federations and their executives at national and international levels.
Extensive experience in business transactions and litigation
After an initial role as a financial legal adviser at Société Générale, Joëlle Monlouis practised in White & Case's Corporate Finance department and subsequently at Paris law firms, before founding her own firm in 2013.
She developed a practice in mergers and acquisitions, financing transactions, shareholder relations and business litigation, while advising on sports law from her earliest years in practice.
This experience underpins her advice to sports stakeholders: understanding economic objectives, structuring transactions, negotiating commitments and anticipating disputes. She also continues to undertake targeted work for businesses and executives outside the sports sector.
A recognised international practice in sports advice, litigation and arbitration
Joëlle Monlouis works across Europe, Africa and the Caribbean, as well as the Middle East. She advises confederations, federations, clubs and businesses on governance, regulation and the exploitation of commercial rights.
Her practice covers contractual and institutional disputes, disciplinary proceedings and anti-doping matters. She advises and represents clients before national courts, international sports bodies and the Court of Arbitration for Sport, in proceedings conducted in French or English.
She also undertakes separate appointments as an international arbitrator, notably through Sport Resolutions and the World Athletics Disciplinary Tribunal.
She also advises athletes on professional relationships and business ventures.
Personal leadership, complementary expertise
Joëlle Monlouis defines strategy and personally leads the matters entrusted to her.
Where the complexity or international scope of a matter requires it, she brings together lawyers within her network with complementary expertise and knowledge of the relevant jurisdictions. She coordinates their work and retains responsibility for the client relationship.
A commitment to access to sports justice
Joëlle Monlouis is among the lawyers selected by FIFA for its pro bono programme. In this capacity, she may represent individuals with insufficient financial resources before FIFA's judicial bodies without charging legal fees.
This commitment extends her sports law practice through support for athletes and other eligible individuals, so that financial means do not prevent them from defending their rights.
FIFA's legal aid programmeProfessional credentials
Paris Bar
Member of the Bar since 2007.
Former member of the Paris Bar Council.
University education
- MBA, specialising in financial markets and financial policy, IAE Paris, Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne.
- DEA postgraduate research degree in market law, Université Montpellier I.
- Maîtrise degree in business law, Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne.
Honour
Knight of the French National Order of Merit.
Working languages
French and English.