Senior Associate - Corporate & Commercial Practice

TAZA LEGAL LLP

Senior Associate – Corporate & Commercial Practice

About Taza Legal LLP

Taza Legal LLP is Ethiopia’s leading integrated full-service commercial law firm and the Ethiopian member firm of the Africa Legal Network (ALN), Africa’s premier alliance of independent law firms.

Established through the combination of four of Ethiopia’s most respected legal practices, Taza brings together more than a century of combined legal experience and one of the country’s largest teams of corporate lawyers. The Firm advises leading Ethiopian and international companies, development finance institutions, private equity funds, banks, multilateral agencies and investors on some of the country’s most significant transactions, projects and disputes.

Our practice covers:

• Corporate and Commercial Law
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Banking & Finance
• Project Finance
• Power & Energy
• Infrastructure & PPPs
• Mining & Natural Resources
• Tax
• Employment & Immigration
• Competition Law
• Real Estate & Construction
• International Arbitration and Dispute Resolution

As a member of ALN, we work seamlessly with leading law firms across Africa on complex cross-border transactions.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an ambitious, commercially minded and high-performing Senior Associate to join our Corporate & Commercial Practice.

The successful candidate will work closely with Partners and clients on sophisticated domestic and cross-border transactions, providing strategic legal advice to many of Ethiopia’s leading businesses and international investors.

The position reports to the Partners in the Corporate & Commercial Practice.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Lead and manage complex corporate and commercial transactions from inception to completion.
• Advise local and international clients on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, restructurings and corporate reorganizations.
• Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of commercial contracts and transaction documents.
• Prepare and negotiate:
  • Share Purchase Agreements;
  • Shareholders’ Agreements;
  • Subscription Agreements;
  • Joint Venture Agreements;
  • Financing Documents;
  • Security Documents; and
  • General Commercial Agreements.
• Lead legal due diligence exercises and supervise multidisciplinary due diligence teams.
• Conduct legal research and prepare opinions on corporate, commercial, regulatory and investment matters.
• Advise clients on Ethiopian investment, company, commercial, banking, tax and regulatory laws.
• Participate in negotiations with counterparties, government agencies and regulators.
• Supervise Associates and Trainees.
• Manage client relationships and contribute to business development initiatives.
• Participate actively in knowledge management and the continuous development of Firm precedents.
• Assist in developing Taza’s profile through publications, seminars and client training.

Qualifications and Experience

Applicants should possess:

• LL.B or LL.M or higher degree from a recognised university.
• At least eight (8) years of relevant post-admission experience in a leading commercial law firm or comparable legal environment.
• Demonstrated experience advising on sophisticated corporate and commercial transactions.
• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills.
• Experience leading due diligence exercises.
• Strong project management skills.
• Ability to supervise junior lawyers.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Excellent legal research and analytical skills.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office and legal technology platforms.

Experience advising international clients or participating in cross-border transactions will be an added advantage.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong commercial awareness.
• Excellent judgement and problem-solving ability.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple complex matters simultaneously.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build trusted relationships with clients and colleagues.
• High ethical standards and professional integrity.
• Commitment to teamwork, mentorship and continuous learning.
• A client-centred and solution-oriented approach.

Why Join Taza Legal?

Joining Taza Legal offers an opportunity to:

• Work on Ethiopia’s most significant corporate and finance transactions.
• Collaborate with one of the country’s largest teams of commercial lawyers.
• Be part of the Ethiopian member firm of ALN, providing exposure to cross-border African transactions.
• Work directly with leading Partners and multinational clients.
• Benefit from structured mentoring and professional development.
• Build a long-term career in a dynamic and growing law firm committed to excellence, innovation and collaboration.

At Taza Legal, we are building more than a law firm: we are building an institution. We seek lawyers who aspire to grow with us, contribute to a culture of excellence, and help shape the future of legal practice in Ethiopia and across Africa.

Location

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Occasional travel within Ethiopia and internationally may be required depending on client engagements.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit:

• A cover letter;
• Curriculum Vitae;
• Copies of academic and professional qualifications; and
• Contact details of at least three professional referees.

Applications should be sent to: careers@tazalegal.com

Please indicate “Senior Associate – Corporate & Commercial Practice” in the subject line.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.