Mehrteab and Getu Advocates LLP (MLA)

• Co-led by Principal Mehrteab Leul and Getu Shiferaw, MLA’s Corporate and Finance Practice Group provides strategic advice on a full range of corporate, financial and commercial matters, general corporate counseling and regulatory assistance for international and domestic businesses in all stages of development. Our clients span the full gamut from start-ups to some of the largest global corporations in the world.
• MLA’s Corporate and Finance practice represents both buyers and sellers in complex, multi-million-dollar transactions.We also regularly assist in the assessment, negotiation and closing of business transactions
• The bulk of MLA’s Corporate and Finance Practice Group’s work in 2018-2019 included incorporation and registration of foreign and local companies and business names, investment transactions, joint venture agreements, mergers and acquisitions, preparation and filing Board of Directors and Shareholder Resolutions, preparation of commercial agreements, and responding to violations of competition law and taxes.
• For legal advice on all matters related to corporate and commercial law in Ethiopia, please contact Mehrteab and Getu Advocates LLP, here for an appointment to speak with a member of the MLA Corporate and Finance Practice Group.

REAL ESTATE

MLA’s Real Estate Practice Group provides comprehensive and highly diverse advice on all aspects of real estate law, including, but not limited to, acquisition, development, leasing, financing, compliance, entitlements, and disposition. MLA’s Real Estate Practice Group has a depth of experience in representing private entities, developers, lenders, borrowers, and investors, both domestic and foreign.

The Real Estate Practice Group is well versed in transactions involving land leases, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating their terms. The group regularly assists clients in matters involving the incorporation of real estate companies, acquisition of property, due diligence on the immovable property to be acquired as part of real estate investment, negotiation of terms of transfer of land lease rights for real estate development, and, drafting and reviewing contracts of sale, servitude, and mortgages.

In cooperation with the Corporate & Commercial Practice Group, the Real Estate Practice Group has significant experience in assisting with orchestrating mutually-beneficial financial agreements on behalf of both lenders and borrowers surrounding the purchase, refinance of the property, and project finance transactions. Some of the transactions in which MLA has been involved in include hotel projects, luxury apartments, mega real estate projects, and in other sectors and industries.

The Real Estate Practice Group also assists several foreign and international missions and delegations in Ethiopia (bi- and multilateral) as well as non-governmental aid organizations by providing advice and counsel in all matters related to real estate and property acquisition and rental agreements.

For legal advice on all matters related to real estate law in Ethiopia, please get in touch with Mehrteab and Getu Advocates LLP, here for an appointment to speak with a member of the MLA Real Estate Practice Group.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

MLA is recognized as one of the leaders in the field of intellectual property by Acquisition International as a “Most Innovative Law Office” and “Intellectual Property Practitioner of the Year” (2016).

MLA’s Intellectual Property Practice Group offers exceptional legal services in matters involving patents, trademarks and copyrights, licensing and technology transfers. Whether it’s an invention or trademark, patent prosecution, or licensing a trade secret - we ensure our clients maintain a competitive edge while also protecting against intellectual property theft and misuse.

MLA’s clients range from large-scale multinational corporations to individual inventors, authors, and creative entrepreneurs.

MLA’s Intellectual Property Practice Group has successfully represented clients in litigation in federal courts. Over the years, we have worked in industries and technologies spanning consumer goods to retail, telecommunications, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and others.

For legal advice on all matters related to intellectual property law in Ethiopia, please contact Mehrteab and Getu Advocates LLP, here for an appointment to speak with a member of the MLA Intellectual Property Practice Group.

LABOR & EMPLOYMENT LAW

• MLA’s Labor & Employment Practice Group advises clients in all matters involving labor and employment law, including on hiring, terminations, drafting contracts and workplace policies and procedures, and workplace investigations.
• MLA’s employment and immigration clients largely consist of foreign companies doing business in Ethiopia. MLA regularly provides legal services to leading foreign businesses in matters related to recruitment, employment contracts, employment taxes, human resource manuals, managing discipline, termination of employment, collective bargaining and agreements, restructuring and retrenchments, employment benefits; occupational health and safety, strikes and lock-outs, and dispute resolution.
• MLA’s Labor & Employment Practice Group also assists expat workers to secure business visas to enter the country, in-visa extension, obtaining work and residence permits for expats and their families as well as renewals of the permits.
• The Practice Group additionally advises clients on responsibilities under Ethiopian law related to disputes between employers and employees. We have extensive experience engaging in negotiations and mediations with relevant Ethiopian government agencies in order to resolve workplace disputes.
• MLA’s industry involvement in the labor and employment field covers the full gamut, ranging from employers in the hotel and hospitality industries, manufacturing, health care, biomedical, construction, transportation, financial services, energy, agriculture, and technology. A significant portion of our MLA’s clients in the labor and employment practice are investors as well as foreign diplomatic missions and multilateral organizations.
• In addition to assisting our clients understand the intricate legal and regulatory regimes in Ethiopia, the MLA Labor & Employment Practice Group provided proactive counseling and compliance review to help our clients minimize the risks inherent in nearly all employment decisions, drafted and reviewed comprehensive employee handbooks, personnel policies and procedures, collective agreements, and work rules.
• For legal advice on all matters related to labor and employment law in Ethiopia, please contact Mehrteab and Getu Advocates LLP, here for an appointment to speak with a member of the MLA Labor & Employment Law Practice Group.

IMMIGRATION

• MLA’s Immigration Practice Group represents foreign businesses, companies and international organizations on immigration matters. Members in the practice help our clients navigate Ethiopia’s regulatory regime related to immigration and related matters. Our clients in this field range from multinational corporations to small- and medium-sized companies in Ethiopia.
• The Immigration Practice Group is set up to coordinate closely with other practice areas that impact company decisions regarding immigration, including labor and employment, tax, and corporate law. This ability to provide comprehensive strategies for our clients is a distinct advantage that MLA offers its clients that few other law offices are equipped to do in the country.
• We have advised clients on responsibilities under Ethiopian law related to disputes between employers and employees. We have extensive experience engaging in negotiations and mediations with relevant Ethiopian government agencies, including the FDRE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Office of the Federal Attorney General.
• Members of MLA’s Immigration Practice Group are available to provide in-office presentations to clients and potential clients to acquaint them with important immigration issues and to update them on recent legislative and regulatory developments that could affect their employees.
• For legal advice on all matters related to immigration, please contact Mehrteab and Getu Advocates LLP, here for an appointment to speak with a member of the MLA Business Immigration Practice Group.