The 30th Annual Conference of the East Africa Law Society (EALS), celebrating three decades of promoting the rule of law and regional integration within the East African legal community, is currently underway in Addis Ababa.
Established in 1995, EALS serves as a professional association for lawyers, law firms, and legal institutions across East Africa, aiming to uphold legal ethics, strengthen regional legal cooperation, and support capacity building within the profession.
The annual conference provides a premier platform for legal professionals to exchange knowledge, engage in dialogue, and shape the future of law in the region.
Opening the Leading Law Firms Forum today, Ethiopian Federal Bar Association President Tewodros Getachew highlighted Ethiopia’s ongoing legal reforms, particularly since 2018. These reforms aim to modernize the legal framework, improve access to justice, and strengthen the rule of law.
Key measures include enhancing the independence of the legal profession, updating civil and commercial laws, and strengthening regulatory oversight.
According to President Tewodros, these reforms have fostered a more independent and regulated profession, giving lawyers greater support and recognition
He also noted that the Ethiopian Federal Bar Association has become one of the five core justice institutions in the country, reflecting the broader reforms in Ethiopia’s justice system.
Ethiopia’s historical and geopolitical significance adds further context to the conference. As a founding member of the African Union and a longstanding symbol of Pan-Africanism, Ethiopia hosts numerous international organizations, including the AU headquarters.
President Tewodros emphasized that discussions on Pan-Africanism are inseparable from Ethiopia’s role in promoting continental unity and legal cooperation.
East Africa Law Society President Ramadhan Abubakar described the annual conference as remarkable not only in scale but also in ambition.
Over the coming days, more than 1,000 delegates—including judges, policymakers, lawyers, academics, and global thought leaders—will engage in discussions spanning infrastructure, finance, governance, digital innovation, family wealth, and women’s leadership in law.
The conference features multiple thematic forums, including the Leading Law Firms’ Forum, Women Lawyers’ Forum, Young Lawyers’ Forum, and the Rule of Law Section.
International panelists and experts will share insights, while discussions aim to chart the next chapter of the legal profession across East Africa, reinforcing regional cooperation, justice, and legal excellence.
Source : Pulse of Africa
