Principal Lawyer & Founding Partner
Biography
Million Alemu is a highly respected legal expert and the Founding Partner of Million Alemu and Partners Legal Services LLP. With over 25 years of exemplary experience, Million has made substantial contributions to Ethiopia’s legal landscape. He has served as a trusted legal advisor to some of the country’s largest companies, industries, airlines, embassies, and international clients. His expertise in high-profile litigation and successful handling of complex cases across all levels of Federal and Oromia Regional State courts underscores his exceptional legal acumen.
Education
- LLB in Law, Addis Ababa University, 1997
- BSc in Economics, Addis Ababa University, 2006
- MBA in Business Leadership, Addis Ababa University, 2022
Selected Experience
Million Alemu’s extensive legal career spans multiple sectors, including banking, real estate, investment, and microfinance. His expertise includes providing high-level strategic legal counsel and advice in critical areas such as banking regulations, foreign exchange laws, corporate governance, and complex contract management. His experience includes:
- Public Prosecutor and Instructor: Served as Senior Public Prosecutor and Instructor for Candidate Judges and Public Prosecutors in the Oromia Regional Government.
- Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE): Held key roles in the Legal Advisory Division, served as Assistant Manager of the Debt Litigation Department, and played a pivotal role in the CBE’s Business Process Reengineering Project.
- Zemen Bank S.C.: Provided strategic legal counsel as Legal Counsellor, ensuring compliance with National Bank of Ethiopia regulations and safeguarding the bank’s interests.
- International Legal Work: Acted as an expert witness on Ethiopian law in international courts, including the UK Family Court and a court in France.
- Foreign Investment Advisory: Assisted various foreign investors from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the USA with entry into diverse Ethiopian investment sectors, providing guidance on formation, compliance, and strategic legal support.
- Legal Counsel to Embassies: Served as the principal legal advisor and lawyer for a prominent foreign embassy in Ethiopia.
- NGO Laws and Governance: Advised on the formation, governance, and ongoing legal support for major local and international NGOs operating in Ethiopia. His legal expertise covers labor law, tax regulations, foreign donations, and compliance with Ethiopian NGO laws, benefiting organizations like TechnoServe, PSI Ethiopia, and Pact Inc.
- Global Aviation Industry: Provided legal consultation to one of the world’s most renowned airlines.
- Corporate and Industrial Advisory: Offered legal counsel to major industries such as prominent real estate firms and manufacturing companies, assisting in their corporate governance, formation, and contract negotiation and drafting processes.
- Private Banking Sector: Advised private banks on regulatory and legal matters, ensuring compliance with banking laws and regulations.
- Microfinance Expertise: Led the Legal Department of one of the leading microfinance institutions, providing legal direction and oversight.
Million’s in-depth legal knowledge, coupled with his diverse industry experience and ability to provide strategic legal solutions, positions him as one of Ethiopia’s most influential and successful legal practitioners.
