Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Personal Background
Languages
Community Service
Accomplishments
References
Timeline
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Dagnachew Abetew

Dagnachew Abetew

Ellicott City,MD

Summary

Dynamic legal professional with extensive experience at Dagnachew and Mahlet Law Firm, excelling in litigation management and client representation. Proven track record in legal strategy development and contract negotiation, advocating effectively for clients' interests while mentoring junior attorneys. Committed to achieving favorable outcomes through strong advocacy and meticulous legal drafting.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience

Work History

Partner and Manager

Dagnachew and Mahlet Law Firm
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
06.2022 - Current
  • Keeps on legal advisor, representation, and litigation works of the law firm.
  • Led legal strategy development for diverse client cases.
  • Mentored junior attorneys to enhance their legal skills.
  • Collaborated with clients to understand their legal needs and objectives.
  • Negotiated settlements and agreements on behalf of clients.
  • Managed complex litigation processes from inception to resolution.
  • Presented cases effectively in court to advocate for clients' interests.
  • Maintained relationships with key stakeholders, clients, and customers to ensure satisfaction with services provided.

Founder

Adoption Advocates Organization
01.2021 - Current
  • Company Overview: AAO is registered in 2021 as a Board-led Civil Society Organization by FDRE Agency for Civil Society Organization under Licence No 5847.
  • Advocate public understanding of domestic adoption and foster care.
  • Promote a positive image of domestic adoption as a loving way to build nurturing, permanent families.
  • Advocate for laws, legislations, sound policies and services regarding adoption and foster care in a way that benefits the best interest of the child.
  • Work hand in hand with adoption service professionals, like-minded national advocacy and training groups, individuals, and child welfare government bodies in Ethiopia and elsewhere to promote the best interests of children everywhere.
  • AAO is registered in 2021 as a Board-led Civil Society Organization by FDRE Agency for Civil Society Organization under Licence No 5847.

Lawyer and Legal Consultant

Dagnachew Tesfaye and Mahlet Mesganaw Law Office
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
10.2007 - 05.2022
  • Adoption and family cases, advisory and representation
  • Hotel Management Agreements and Technical Service Agreements
  • Worked with Hyatt International on Hyatt Place, with Accor Afrique on Hotel brands namely Ibis, Mercure and Novotel, Intercontinental Hotel Group- InterContinental and Hilton by Hampton
  • Construction Agreements- worked with major construction companies like AB-Ham, Hafcon, Shicon, Delta Zone in preparation of contracts, litigation, and similar matters
  • Contracts- preparation, revision and execution
  • Employment Agreements- advisory and preparation of managerial or similar employment agreements and follow up;
  • Real Estate Agreement preparation and revision
  • Advise Foreign Government Agencies and Embassies in all matters related to Ethiopian law
  • Establish foreign investment companies
  • Plead clients' cases before courts of law, tribunals and boards
  • Draw up legal documents such as real estate transactions, wills, divorces and contracts, and prepare statements of legal opinions

Part -time Instructor

Addis Ababa University, Faculty of Law
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
09.2011 - 07.2014
  • Teach subjects to undergraduate students
  • Prepare and deliver lectures to students and conduct discussion groups
  • Prepare, administer and grade examinations and research papers
  • Advise students on course and academic matters
  • Direct research programs of undergraduate students and advise on research matters
  • Conduct research in field of specialization and publish findings in news papers
  • Represent the university college as speakers and guest lecturers
  • Provide professional consultative services to government, industry and private individuals.
  • Specialize in a private international law, business organization, commercial law, trial advocacy and appellate advocacy

Country Representative

Protestant Association for Adoption and Foster Children Placement Rhineland e.V.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
09.2007 - 01.2009
  • Fulfilled all tasks and duties concerning international adoption placements with any/all concerned local institutions, government authorities as well as any/all this concerned activities at court
  • Signed any kind of contracts, sun-contracts and /or documents on behalf of PAC to proceed legal and /or administrative matters and demands concerning office activities, in accordance with rules and regulations of the Ethiopian law
  • Represented PAC legally and binding before courts, authorities, offices and private organizations; filed written and /or oral applications, carried out their execution; to take decisions under consideration and fulfilled all formalities which are necessary to protect the interests of PAC
  • Represented the Agency in Ethiopia, Managed the Addis Ababa Office

Judge

Federal First Instance Court of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
01.2003 - 01.2006
  • Presided over courts of law, interpreted and enforced rules of procedure and made rulings regarding the admissibility of evidence
  • Weighed and considered evidence in non-jury trials and decided legal guilt or innocence or degree of liability of the accused or defendant
  • Passed sentence on persons convicted in criminal cases and determined damages or other appropriate remedy in civil cases
  • Granted divorces and divided assets between spouses
  • Determined custody of children between contesting parents and other guardians
  • Enforced court orders for access or support
  • Supervised court officers and assistant judges.
  • Worked in civil, criminal, family law and adoption law

Assistant Judge

Federal First Instance Court of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
01.2001 - 01.2003
  • Assisted judges by hearing witnesses and other related parties, assembling documentary evidence, preparing trial briefs, and arranging for trials
  • Prepared judgments, order and decrees
  • Researched records, court files and other legal documents
  • Drafted legal correspondence and performed general office and clerical duties

Education

Certificate on Mediation -

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
The Netherlands
02.2024

Certificate on Arbitration -

Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
UK
03.2015

LLM Degree - Public Laws

Addis Ababa University
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
08.2006

LLB Degree - Ethiopian Laws

Addis Ababa University
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
08.2001

Skills

  • Legal strategy development
  • Litigation management
  • Contract negotiation
  • Legal drafting
  • Client representation
  • Advocacy skills

Personal Background

  • Number of Children: 3
  • Gender: M
  • Nationality: Ethiopian
  • Marital Status: Married

Languages

  • English, Excellent, Excellent, Excellent
  • Amharic, Excellent, Excellent, Excellent

Community Service

  • World Bank, Doing Business Project, Contributor, 2012-01-01, 2023-12-31
  • World Bank, Women, Business and the Law, Contributor, 2013-01-01, 2025-12-31
  • Sele Enat Orphanage, Volunteer, 2016-01-01

Accomplishments

  • World Bank Certificates on contributions to Doing Business and Women, Business and the Law

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Partner and Manager

Dagnachew and Mahlet Law Firm
06.2022 - Current

Founder

Adoption Advocates Organization
01.2021 - Current

Part -time Instructor

Addis Ababa University, Faculty of Law
09.2011 - 07.2014

Lawyer and Legal Consultant

Dagnachew Tesfaye and Mahlet Mesganaw Law Office
10.2007 - 05.2022

Country Representative

Protestant Association for Adoption and Foster Children Placement Rhineland e.V.
09.2007 - 01.2009

Judge

Federal First Instance Court of Addis Ababa
01.2003 - 01.2006

Assistant Judge

Federal First Instance Court of Addis Ababa
01.2001 - 01.2003

Certificate on Mediation -

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Certificate on Arbitration -

Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

LLM Degree - Public Laws

Addis Ababa University

LLB Degree - Ethiopian Laws

Addis Ababa University

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