Jean Mullin OBE (nee Steinberg), was the first woman lawyer to graduate with first class honours from the University of Sydney, which she did in 1937. Educated at Sydney Girls High, she was also a champion athlete, and while undertaking her studies at Sydney (where she studied Arts/Law) she also obtained a University Blue in swimming. She also shared the prize for the most distinguished student graduating in law. She took an active part in campus life, being a member of the Women’s Union Committee and an inaugural member of the Sydney University Standing Committee of Convocation.
Once admitted to the bar she took the academic and literary direction. She was associated with the Law Book Company from 1937 to 1974. There, she rose to be senior legal adviser and senior editor. She edited books including the Commonwealth Law Reports, Australian Law Reprts and Federal Law Reports, as well as publications such as the Australian Digest and Australian Bankruptcy Law and Practice. She had “an encyclopaedic knowledge of the law (SMH Feb 2 2010).
In 1972-73 she was the Chairman of the Commonwealth Committee for Computerisation of legal data, and she was a member of the Child Welfare Advisory Council from 1972 – 77.
In 1978 she was awarded the OBE for services to the law.
Within the Zonta Club of Sydney, was a Director in 1975/76 and was the club Secretary in 1977/78. She was a member of the club for 27 years. She and her husband Frank Mullin had two daughters. She passed away in 2010, aged 95.
Zonta Club of Sydney 