Lidet Abebe Tizazu Law Office in cooperation with BonelliErede

Based in Addis Ababa, Lidet Abebe Tizazu Law Office (LAT) provides a full range of corporate and commercial transactional legal advisory services.LAT Law Office always aims to provide its clients with advice and service of the highest standard.The founder of the Law Office started her legal career at the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office and since then joined Teshome Gabre-Mariam Bokan Law Office. She has been working at Teshome Gabre-Mariam Bokan Law Office as a Senior Associate and Head of the Intellectual Department for over four years.Similarly, the other lawyers of the firm have also been associates of Teshome Gabre-Mariam Bokan Office and they have built up a substantial practice in commercial and corporate transactions. We have been working closely with Mr. Teshome, one of the leading and prominent lawyers in Ethiopia, especially on mega projects of Ethiopia. The diverse knowledge of the lawyers of Lidet Abebe Tizazu Law Office is what makes it robust and competitive. We have experts on banking and finance, labour, NGO laws, aviation, foreign investment, mergers & acquisitions, energy & natural resources and intellectual property sectors.

The law office has been involved in major commercial banks in syndicated and single bank loans to governments, international organizations corporate entities. The lawyers have a well-developed practice that assists banking and corporate clients, both public and private. The law Office has registered hundreds of trademarks, patents and industrial designs of international clients. Lidet Abebe Tizazu Law Office currently partners and works closely with internationally reputable Intellectual Property firms, including Africa’s leading Intellectual Property firm Adams & Adams. It also provides legal support in the area of trademark protection and anti-counterfeiting.

We have worked with major financiers and leasing companies in America and Europe where various entities have leased or bought aircrafts, aircraft engines and other spare parts. The firm advises on the lease documents, loan documents, security documents and the registration of the aircraft and other relevant documents with the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority. Our banking and financing department also extends to facilities granted by European development and commercial banks and Chinese banks. We assist companies in all facets of corporate activities, starting with the formation of a company under local laws. The firm advises corporate clients on labour, tax and compliance matters. It has also represented a number of clients interested in franchising and distribution throughout Ethiopia.

Contract drafting and review being one of the major feature of any commercial transaction, we are engaged in the review and drafting of various types of agreements, such as, operating lease agreement, financial lease agreement, loan & guarantee agreements, security documents, EPC & construction management contracts, power purchase agreements, asset transfer agreement, investment and shareholders agreements, petroleum sharing agreements, supply agreements, distribution contracts, employment contracts, office/factory/land lease agreements, non-disclosure & confidentiality agreements, software development, copyright assignment agreement, license & technology transfer agreements and different types of service agreements.

Ethiopia has become one of Africa's fastest growing economies and important companies are coming to invest in Ethiopia. The lawyers of the firm have contributed in assisting entities to be registered as branch, subsidiary, representative offices, as international contractor and so on.

We advise on the structure, tax implications, labour matters, drafting or reviewing HR Policies and other related corporate matters. The firm also assists the companies in acquiring land in their respective field and area/region. Thereafter, we facilitate the process in acquiring a business license to start production, as per the laws of Ethiopia. Our M & A practice is also spreading, foreign investors wishing to acquire and/or merging with local companies. Accordingly, we prepare legal due diligence reports as well as making the relevant applications for acquisition or mergers. We advise and negotiate on terms sheets, shareholders agreement, memorandum and articles of association, minutes, and so on. We seek approval from the Ministry of Revenue, Competition Authority, Ministry of Trade and the public notary.

In addition to the general tax advice we provide, our office also collaborates with auditors and tax consultants in providing comprehensive tax and customs related advice. We have experience with multinational companies in advising on tax audits, customs post clearance audit and any other tax assessments. Additionally, the Firm has also assisted Charities and Societies in their incorporation and related legal advice in carrying out not-for-profit activities.

The energy sector of Ethiopia is booming with Ethiopian Electric Power tendering from international IPP’s/PPP to bid for solar, geothermal and wind projects. We assist IPP’s in preparing due diligence reports on the regulatory framework of the energy sector in Ethiopia, advice on the structuring of their project offices, construction contracts, reviewing and negotiating PPA, Connection Agreements and the like, registering the project office, advising on land, labour, health & safety, environmental, insurance, tax, financing and so forth.