Revolutionary changes to Ethiopia’s legal system and wider economy provide exciting opportunities and spurred the creation and rapid expansion of DABLO Law Firm LLP, including three new hires, say the Ethiopian firm’s founding partners.
“The changes are fundamental in every aspect, starting with the Ethiopian legal profession where, for the last several decades, there was no concept of partnership or firms,” explained Bruk Geremew, one of three experienced Ethiopian lawyers who were quick to adapt to the new environment by establishing DABLO Law Firm LLP following a 2021 proclamation.
“It was revolutionary in law, and other sectors are also undergoing fundamental change,” noted Geremew, pointing to the liberalisation of banking, retail and other sectors that were previously off-limits to foreign investors. “Now almost everything is opening up, so there is a correlation between development in the legal sector and in the economic sector.”
Traditionally, said DABLO Managing Partner Dawit Kidane, nearly all Ethiopian lawyers in private practice were sole practitioners specialising in litigation. While most still operate that way, pioneering firms like DABLO have expanded into commercial and compliance work. “We are also now doing intellectual property work, trademark registrations and infringements,” he added. “Everything is growing and so we have to strengthen our teams.”
Having local firms like DABLO offering a broad range of specialist services will give multinationals and foreign investors greater confidence, say Kidane and fellow founding partners Geremew and Addisu Hailegebriel. Ethiopian lawyers must learn to cater for new investors in these new areas that are opening up. “The changes are fundamental; the old ways of doing business, or the old days of lawyering, are over,” said Geremew.
Having already added several practitioners to the fold – including former public prosecutor Arega Fentahun as Head of Litigation and Dispute Resolution, and international law expert Fitsum Sitotaw as Head of Consultancy and Compliance – DABLO Law has continued its rapid expansion with three new hires, bringing the staff complement to 13 and making it one of Ethiopia’s largest firms.
Banking expert and academic Iyasu Teketel has joined as a senior associate from Nib International Bank, strengthening the Consultancy and Compliance Department. Top law graduates Wubrist Tadesse and Anania Moges Melaku, who interned with the firm and human rights organisations, have joined as junior associates, introducing a new generation of legal talent to the firm.
It’s been a big learning curve in a time of rapid change, say Geremew, Kidane and Hailegebriel, which is one of the reasons DABLO joined with Alliott Global Alliance, an elite coalition of top legal and accounting experts in 220 member firms in some 100 countries.
“It’s a platform for us to get to know law firms in many countries, to learn best practices for firms, and to build cross-border relationships and referrals,” explained Geremew. “We have a lot to learn as Ethiopia opens up, but this helps us see the bigger picture and larger horizon.”
The new hires will provide further expertise and firepower for DABLO Law for due diligence and large transactions in Ethiopia’s new era, said Hailegebriel, with partners and staff collaborating across all levels. “Our motto here is to provide service without any limitation.”
To join Africa Legal's mailing list please click here