Located on the 8th Floor of Dembel City Centre, one of Addis Abeba's posh properties and prime locations on Africa Avenue (Bole Road), MLA's office evokes images of a modern investment bank rather than a law firm.

According to people knowledgeable with MLA’s evolution, the firm spent a little over 1.5 million Br on renovating its office, which earns an estimated one million dollars in revenue from corporate clients that include Japanese Tobacco and Eagle Hills. The latter is new to the Ethiopian market with its flagship real estate development project, La Gare Eagles Hills. MLA declined to confirm its income or what it spent on the renovation of its offices.

The principal of MLA, Mihereteab Leul, is an experienced attorney well recognized in corporate law and has gained recognition in corporate litigation, taking over the mantle from the late Teshome G. Mariam, another well-known expert in corporate law. Despite its new appearance, MLA is essentially a law firm.

The office is divided between a client receiving area and the main operation space, where young lawyers are busy at work in their stations.

Under Ethiopian there was no clear rule regulating law  firms. This is to change soon as part of the many legal reform efforts that are underway by the administration of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD). The change in the law will allow lawyers like Mihereteab to reposition themselves and emerge as corporations.

Mihereteab is shy when discussing money matters, including how much he spent in renovating his offices and the size of the revenue he earns from his corporate clients. But he is bullish about meeting the goals he has set out for his firm in the coming few years.

Naturally sheepish, he is determined in his resolve to establish his firm as a corporate entity on par with other firms in Africa and elsewhere.

He has come a long way from his days as a young lawyer, canvassing courthouses and spending his time litigating on behalf of his clients in court chambers. Although he misses those days, he no longer does litigation but focuses on providing legal and business advice to corporate clients, a service several other firms in the industry are increasingly drawn to.

The office renovation work that took half a year was completed by an Italian firm, Fabio Construction, which has experience working on projects for OCP, a Moroccan company, and start-up incubator Bluemoon. MLA held an inauguration ceremony for its renovated offices on Thursday, February 21, 2019.

According to Mehrteab, the renovation will help create a business-friendly atmosphere for his clients.

"Most of our clients are international corporate entities, and we are determined to meet the standards of international law firms.”

MLA works with international law firms like DLA Piper, Baker Mckenzie and Slaughter and May. It represents 68 international clients including Coca-cola, General Electric, Motor & Engineering Company of Ethiopia (MOENCO), ABB Group and Mahindra & Mahindra Limited among others.