“Your Trusted Partner for Seamless Corporate Formation, Operation and Compliance”

Ethiopian legal system, through proclamations, regulations and directives, creates a set of rules and procedures applicable to business formations, operations, relationships and transactions. Contracts allow parties to customize those rules for specific circumstances, and to create their own procedures for communication, decision-making and dispute-resolution. Makkobilli Law Firm, with its team of distinguished legal experts and corporate lawyers in Ethiopia, helps clients to understand and comply with the legal context in which they operate, identify, protect and exploit their assets, and develop win-win business relationships.

At Makkobilli Law Firm, we help businesses with the legal matters they face at all stages of their lifecycles – from selecting an initial entity structure to complex litigation and succession planning – and individuals in their interactions with businesses. We combine in-depth business and corporate law experience with highly personalized service, effectively supporting our clients with sound legal guidance and strategies that help them achieve their short and long-term business goals. Look to Makkobilli Law Firm for expert advice and exceptional services at all stages of your business’ life cycle. Please refer the types of our corporate services below to see how we can help you.

A. Incorporation Services for Start-Up Businesses

Many start-ups have as their goal the commercialization of an innovative or creative idea or work product. To succeed, though, these start-ups need a solid legal and contractual foundation. We offer essential services for start-up businesses, including:

• Legal counsel and assistance in the selection of the most appropriate/suitable business vehicle amongst the business forms recognized under Ethiopian law;
• Once the type of entity is chosen, handling all aspects of formation and organization, such as registration, documentation, preparation of minute books and share certificates, preparation of essential agreements, and obtaining any licenses that may be needed.
• Review and advice on asset purchases, franchise, dealership or business opportunity agreements;
• Guidance on complying with applicable laws and regulations;
• Negotiation and drafting of agreements with partners, lenders, investors, and others involved in the start-up, including loan documentation, partnership agreements, limited liability company operating agreements and shareholder agreements;
• Development of standard agreements for use with customers, vendors, key employees, independent contractors and strategic partners; and
• Identification and protection of essential intellectual property and other assets.

B. Outside General Counsel Services for Emerging and Established Companies 

As businesses emerge, they may diversify their offerings, enter into strategic alliances, outsource some of their functions, or expand their marketing initiatives. In the process, the legal, contractual and operational issues they face can change and become more complex. As businesses grow too, they face legal and contractual issues on a daily basis. For these clients, an outsourced general counsel who serves as part of the company's management team can be the best solution.

Makkobilli Law Firm offers representation for emerging and established companies on all kinds of matters and transactions that are part of the ongoing operation of a business. In that way, we serve as their outside general counsel and effectively handle both their day to day and special matters, such as:

• Review and revision of standard contracts and businesses processes to reduce risks and enhance company performance;
• Advice, review and draft shareholders agreements, strategic contracts, employment contracts, compensation matters, lease agreements, non-disclosure agreements, commercial arrangements, employee separation, loan agreements, distribution agreements, licensing agreements, and other contracts and legal documents;
• Assist in contracts negotiation and drafting;
• Advice and assistance in ensuring good governance and oversight;
• Review and revise corporate governance policies and governing documents such as memorandum of association;
• Advise the Board, where the business has board, on committee structure, composition, and functions; on policies regarding senior executives and directors compensation packages, on risk management strategies, shareholder communications, and on environmental and governance policies;
• Draft/Review board or shareholders’ general meeting minutes;
• Providing legal support and guiding, advising, and assisting on the full range of corporate governance related legal issues;
• Assist in proactively identifying, addressing and managing legal risks in the business’ corporate governance practice;
• Conduct internal investigations and responding to government inquiries;
• Annually undertake legal check-up (legal audit) and delivering a written report to management;
• Annually deliver a training to the management/operational team on corporate governance laws;
• Guidance and assistance in ensuring compliance with corporate governance laws and regulations;
• Regularly keeping the business updated on new legislative developments and judicial precedents that impact the business’ operation and corporate governance practice;
• Advice and assist in intellectual property protection;
• Write letters or make phone calls on behalf of clients regarding business legal matters related to clients’ business;
• Advice on legal issues presented by planned initiatives or arising in day-today operations;
• Facilitation of problem-solving and strategic planning sessions and oversight and direction of change initiatives;
• Structuring and implementation of consulting, outsourcing, teaming, distribution, licensing, agency and joint venture agreements; and
• Preparation and pre-release review of publicly released statements and information, including website content, newsletters, press releases and marketing materials.
• Our outside general counsel services primarily focus on the anticipation of common problem areas, potential complications and cause for disputes and taking action now to extinguish fires before they ignite. In short, we focus on helping businesses avoid disputes. We offer the above outside general counsel services to companies primarily based on a variety of monthly subscription packages. Contact us to learn more about the packages.

C. Corporate Litigation and Dispute Resolution Services

Many businesses consult a lawyer for the first time when they become involved in a dispute. We use our experience and practical judgment to represent clients through settlement negotiations or litigation, arbitration and mediation, and help clients resolve disputes as quickly, amicably and cost-effectively as possible. We, then, counsel and assist our clients to take steps to avoid future disputes.

• Makkobilli Law Firm offers a variety of corporate litigation and dispute resolution services, some of which are:
• Early assessment and informal negotiation of disputes;
• Representation in settlement conferences, mediation sessions and arbitration proceedings;
• Serving as a standby mediator or facilitator for business partners or parties to a transaction;
• Litigation management to save costs and expedite resolution;
• Mediation or arbitration of disputes; and
• Representation before courts, or arbitral tribunals or before any administrative tribunal.
• Some of the subject-matters covered in our corporate litigation and dispute resolution services include:
• Civil and commercial litigation
• Non-compete litigation
• Breach of contract disputes
• Trade secret and confidentiality breach litigation
• Contracts & agreement
• Restrictive covenant litigation
• Breach of fiduciary duty
• Franchise litigation
• Employment litigation and counseling
• Class litigation defense
• Debt collection
• Unfair business practices
• Fraud & misrepresentation
• Derivative actions