Dr. Yonas Girma Adimassu

Dr. Yonas Girma Adimassu is the Founding and Managing Partner of Habesha Legal Advocates LLP (HLA), Ethiopia's first officially registered law firm (License No. 0001/2014). He leads the Firm's practice in public law, regulatory affairs, governance, institutional reform, and human rights.

He holds a Ph.D. in Public Law (Economic Law) from Selçuk University, Turkey; an LL.M in Public Law from Addis Ababa University; and an LL.B from Hawassa University. He has also undertaken postgraduate studies in Sustainable Development and Human Rights at the University of Antwerp, Belgium, and Decentralization and Conflict Resolution at the University of Freiburg, Switzerland. He completed international legal training through ILFA, including a secondment at Latham & Watkins LLP's London office.

Dr. Yonas advises public institutions, businesses, and development partners on regulatory frameworks, legislative reform, governance, compliance, and rights-based legal issues. His experience covers public health regulation, human rights, institutional development, legal research, and strategic advisory services.

He also served as Legal Advisor on Food and Health Policy at Mathiwos Wondu Ye Ethiopia Cancer Society, Coordinator of the UNDP-supported Court-Annexed Mediation Project, National Consultant for judicial reform initiatives, Public Prosecutor at the Ministry of Justice, and Lecturer and Researcher at Dilla University.