Position

Practice Head, Employment, & Immigration, Intellectual Property and Aviation Practices

Contact

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Biography

Benyam Tafesse is Head of Employment & Immigration, Intellectual Property and Aviation Practice groups at MLA. Benyam has extensive experience providing practical legal advice on a wide range of employment law matters as well as advising and representing clients on different intellectual property matters. Benyam also has a wealth of experience advising clients in the field of aviation law relating specifically to acquisition, sale, financing and leasing of aircraft, aircraft engines and parts.

Education

• LL.B Addis Ababa University, School of Law, Ethiopia, with Distinction, (2006)
• LL.M (Cum laude), University of Groningen, The Netherlands,(2010)

Selected Experience

• Advised a number of multinational companies on employment law matters including on workforce reduction, transfer, employee benefits, outsourcing, and immigration.
• Successfully registered hundreds of trademarks before the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office, reviewed and drafted franchise and technology transfer agreements.  
• Handled trademark infringement and unfair trade practice claims for a number of clients.
• Successfully defended an invalidation claim against a renowned international hotel brand before the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office
• Advised a leading aircraft engine leasing company in relation to a sale and leaseback transaction and processed local filings thereof.
• Advised a major jet leasing company in connection with novation of two jet lease contracts.