Animaw Demis Ejigu
Senior AssociatePractice Areas
Professional Summary
Senior associate with over 14 years of experience spanning legal practice, academia, and human rights investigation. A licensed corporate lawyer with more than eight years of experience practicing commercial law at both the federal and regional levels, he provides legal consultancy services to numerous companies and individuals and handles diverse court litigation.
He holds an LL.M. in Business and Corporate Law from Bahir Dar University (CGPA 3.74) and serves concurrently as a Lecturer at Debre Berhan University College of Law, where he teaches graduate and undergraduate courses including Corporate Law, Investment Law, International Economic Law, Tax Law, Financial Law, and International Commercial Arbitration Law. He previously served as Associate Dean for Research and Academic Affairs (2020–2024) and Moot Court Coordinator (2018–2021).
Before entering legal practice and academia, he served as a Human Rights Violation Investigation Officer at the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (2011–2016), where he conducted investigations, developed review reports, and assessed Ethiopian laws and policies for compliance with international human rights standards. This background gives him unique expertise in regulatory compliance and government processes.
Judicial & Government Experience
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Senior Associate, 5A Law Firm LLPCorporate law, commercial litigation, investment advisory, M&A, tax advisory
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Licensed Legal Consultant & Attorney at Law, Animaw Demis Law Office (2016–Present)Legal consultancy on business establishment, operation, and liquidation; investment matters; M&A; corporate tax; drafting commercial contracts and bylaws; court litigation
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Lecturer & Former Associate Dean, Debre Berhan University College of Law (2016–Present)Teaches Corporate Law, Investment Law, International Economic Law, Tax Law, Financial Law, Contract Law, Labour Law, International Commercial Arbitration, and Trade Law to graduate and undergraduate students. Associate Dean for Research & Academic Affairs (April 2020–September 2024)
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Human Rights Violation Investigation Officer, Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (2011–2016)Conducted investigations on human rights violations, developed investigation reports, monitored execution of human rights reports, reviewed Ethiopian laws and policies for compliance with human rights standards
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Legal Expert Trainer, ANRS Judicial Training & Legal Research Institute (2009–2011)Provided legal training for judicial officers and legal professionals
Representative Matters
- Advises on business establishment, corporate restructuring, and liquidation processes
- Provides legal counsel on investment matters, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance
- Drafts and reviews commercial contracts, bylaws, and establishment documents for business enterprises
- Represents clients in courts for commercial and non-commercial litigation at federal and regional levels
- Advises companies on new legal developments and regulatory updates
- Conducts legal research on policy gaps in business sectors to advise clients on compliance
- Handles enforcement of court judgments and post-judgment matters
Education & Credentials
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LL.M. in Business and Corporate Law (CGPA 3.74)Bahir Dar University (2016)
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LL.B. in LawJimma University (2009)
