Jeannette Eid
Published: 31/12/2009
Our recipient came to Australia when she was 8 years of age and ever since her parents can remember she had in mind to become a Lawyer. She completed Secondary schooling and was accepted into Melbourne University to fulfil her childhood dreams. Whilst at University she secured a position with a firm of solicitors where she worked at the same time as achieving a Law Degree with Honours.
After completing her Articles she accepted a position as first year Solicitor with the firm of Wainwright Ryan in 1980 and became an equity partner on the 1st July, 1981.
At the very early stage, as first year Solicitor, she joined and was Secretary to the Australian Lebanese Association of Victoria being involved to further the Associations aims and understanding of the Lebanese in Australia.
Our recipient also joined the Australian Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. and Austrade to encourage trade with the Middle East encouraging not only those who are from the Middle East in Australia but those Australian companies wanting to deal with the Middle East including Lebanon, even though Lebanon at that stage was suffering from the strife of war.
Since that time she dedicated time and legal knowledge and support assisting all groups of the community including the Lebanese Consulate, religious groups of any denomination on a pro bono basis, utilizing her skills to advise and negotiate to enable such groups as the Antonine Sisters to establish a Primary School, a Secondary School, Child Care Centre, St Paul's Hostel for the Aged and also in the development and acquisition of several building projects. Behind her desk she has been instrumental in providing sound legal advice to members of the community establishing themselves within Australia whether in business or general establishment as members of the community.
The Law Institute of Victoria has also recognized that she is the person to whom they refer all persons from the Middle East for legal assistance or those who have queries or wish to deal with the Middle East.
The above shows her commitment to the Lebanese community and the Middle East countries. She has the same commitment to the Australian community by being an active member of the Law Institute.
Our recipient is the Chair of the Executive of the Commercial Section of the Law Institute of Victoria. She is a member of the Property and Business Law Committee and in such position is able to assist with making submissions to Government State and Federal bodies with respect to legislation for the benefit of her professional colleges and the community at large. She is called upon to give papers, write articles for Commercial Chapters of the Institute and at annual conferences for continued legal education.
Since the 1st July, 2003, the last of her partners has retired and she has become the principal of her firm. She has five solicitors working with her and two Articled Clerks.
Her relevant experience within the practice includes:
-Commercial Law and Litigation
-Negotiating and finalising sale of Australian companies to overseas companies.
-International Trade and Commerce
-Banking, Finance and Consumer Credit
-Industrial Relations, Employment and Occupational Health and Safety.
-Conveyancing, Wills, & Estates.
-Product and Manufacturers Liability.
-Accredited Mediator of the Institute of Arbitrators and Mediators
Our recipient has always been passionate in her profession encouraging young members of the Australian and Lebanese community to maximize their opportunities in areas they are able to achieve to become valuable members of the Australian community and good role models.
She speaks French and Lebanese fluently and has much experience in working with clients from Non-English speaking backgrounds.
She also holds positions in the following organistions:
-Founding Member - Australian/Lebanese Forum
-Solicitor and Legal Adviser to Lebanese and Egyptian Consulates
-Solicitor and Legal Adviser to French Consulate
-Member - Australian/Iranian Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Mines
-Registered Member - Austrade
-Director of Lebanese Chamber of Commerce
-Board member and Chairperson of St.Paul’s Hostel for the elderly
-Member of the Melkite Church Eparchy of Australia
She is also author to the following publications:
-Co-author of book published by Law Institute of Victoria titled A Legal Guide for Company Directors.
-Articles to Housing Industry Association Journal.
-Articles to Laundrette Association Journal.
-Author of Law of Partnership published by Law Institute of Victoria.
-Regular presenter at the Leo Cussen Institute on Continuing Legal Education CLE and the LIV Commercial Law Conferences
She has also received the following award:
-Australian Lebanese Business Woman of the Year 1997/98.
Of course, she could not have achieved the above without the support of her family and in particular her husband, Mr Alan Mansour, who is a fifth generation Lebanese. Alan is an Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgeon and as with the previous generations of his family has been an example of what the Lebanese community in Australia has produced.
