Mehrteab Leul Kokeb is the Managing Partner of Mehrteab and Getu Advocates LLP (MLA). He completed his studies at Addis Ababa University and the University of London, including a short-term leadership training program at Harvard Business School. With almost three decades of experience, Mehrteab is a highly skilled senior law professional specializing in Project Finance and Corporate matters. He has assisted various clients, including the government of Ethiopia, sponsors, and lenders, in developing projects within the country. His recent credentials include notable achievements in privatization and M&A transactions.
Mehrteab excels in providing legal services to individual and corporate clients, achieving outstanding results in transactions and corporate issues. Additionally, he has extensive experience managing court cases, handling contractual disputes, arbitration, unlawful competition, liquidation, and employment matters. Currently, he focuses on energy, public-private partnerships, financial services, litigation, and dispute resolution in corporate matters.
Mehrteab has consistently been recognized for his legal expertise and contributions in Ethiopia. He was ranked as a Band 1 Lawyer by Chambers & Partners Global from 2019 to 2024. The Legal 500 listed him as a ‘Leading Individual’ from 2020 to 2024, further solidifying his status as a distinguished legal professional. His expertise was also acknowledged by The IFLR 1000, where he was ranked as a Highly Regarded Lawyer from 2019 to 2023.
Memberships
Beyond his individual accolades, Mehrteab is deeply involved in the legal community through active participation and membership in several professional associations. These include the International Bar Association (IBA), the International Trademark Association (INTA), the Ethiopian Lawyers’ Association (ELA), and the African Business Law Firm Association, where he contributes to advancing legal practices and upholding professional standards.
Mehrteab and Getu Advocates LLP (MLA), formerly known as Mehrteab Leul & Associates Law Office, was established by Mehrteab Leul Kokeb in 1997. MLA evolved from a de facto law firm to a de jure law firm, officially registering as Mehrteab & Getu Advocates LLP on July 1, 2022.
As a leading full-service law office in Ethiopia, we offer a wide range of quality legal services. Among these are: advising and representing clients on various legal due diligence projects, financing, sovereign debt and sovereign debt guarantee, private equity, security devices, mergers and acquisitions, tax, employment & immigration, civil society organizations (NGO/NPOs); dispute resolution, litigation, contracts, investment, , intellectual property, aviation, mining, energy, hospitality and leisure, and other related corporate and investment related matters.
MLA’s team comprises high-calibre lawyers and office personnel who excel in their respective fields. Their primary goal is to optimize clients’ investments through compliance-driven legal strategies and innovative solutions. By drawing on their extensive experience, MLA lawyers proactively structure deals in the best interest of their clients.
MLA has received a number of accolades and market recognitions by all the major international legal directories for its excellent legal services These accolades include being ranked as a Band 1 General Business Law Firm in Ethiopia by Chambers & Partners Global (2015–2024), as well as achieving Tier 1 status for Financial and Corporate Law by IFLR 1000 (2019–2023) and The Legal 500 (2018–2023).
MLA has been involved in complex transactions and well-known cross-border/inter-jurisdictional matters. Our diverse clientele includes start-ups, government entities, multinational corporations, prominent non-profit organizations, and diplomatic missions. MLA is an active member of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) and the European Business Forum in Ethiopia (EUBFE).
Ethiopia
