Article published in the February–March 2017 issue of I AM DIVAS MAG

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English translation of an archived publication. The roles, rules and references cited reflect its original publication date.

TEXT FROM THE ORIGINAL IMAGE

JOËLLE MONLOUIS

A LAWYER ON THE GROUND

This brilliant woman successfully took a new direction in her legal career and founded her own practice in the service of a cause: sport!

Text by Leslie Muya

This 36-year-old lawyer, a member of the Paris Bar since 2007 and a specialist in business law, had never taken a particular interest in sport. Yet it had always been a familiar world: “When I was younger, I did triple jump, sprinting, judo and fencing,” she recalls. “And athletics too! At my modest level, I made it as far as the French championships.” Her family is no exception! Originally from Guadeloupe, the daughter of a football referee and cousin of NBA player Alexis Ajinça, she learnt this profession on the ground. Registered as a sports representative lawyer, she works particularly in football and basketball. Last December, she even joined the executive committee of the Paris football league. Keen to share her knowledge, she lectures in sports law at Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne and contributes to the Africa Football Club programme on Africa 24.

In her view, Africa still has a long way to go in this area: ‘Athletes suffer from a lack of support.’ The continent is waking up and becoming aware of the issues. Some countries, such as Côte d’Ivoire, have adopted sports legislation, and Joëlle was called upon to review the regulatory section of the work on this matter. ‘Behind sport there is an economy, and it would be a shame not to build on it to enable each State to derive a financial benefit, but above all a certain influence, prestige and pride.’ She does everything she can to help African footballers. ‘This can involve regulatory issues concerning a federation, whether African or European. It can also involve problems that a club cannot resolve, or negotiating a contract.’ Joëlle therefore has no time to be bored. She also works with cyclists, boxers, golfers and others. She is always part of the action.

In a man’s world

Being a woman in this environment can surprise some people! From her very first steps in this world, Joëlle noticed that more than one athlete was taken aback: “My name is Joëlle, too, which is a unisex name. I remember a very well-known African international looking at me wide-eyed and not understanding. His entourage had not thought to tell him who I was, and it came as something of a shock to him (laughs).” In her eyes, being a woman is no disadvantage; it is a strength: “It helped me, it helps me, and I hope it will continue to help me. Without falling too far into clichés, women have a certain composure; they care about doing things properly.” And it matters little that her competence has been questioned several times. “I fully embrace an American approach to work; I tell myself that the blows we take make us stronger.” Strong, free and unapologetic, Joëlle laughs at these anecdotes and encourages all women to roll up their sleeves. In a world increasingly awakening to gender equality, there are positions to be won, ladies!

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