Abeba Tekle

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
+251 911 234 567 | abeba.tekle@email.com | linkedin.com/in/abebatekle

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Advisor, CCM/Legal Departments
Addis Global Solutions, Washington, D.C.
January 2021 – Present

Provide strategic legal advisory services to Corporate Compliance Management (CCM) and Legal Departments on complex commercial transactions, regulatory compliance, and intellectual property matters. Lead cross-functional initiatives to enhance contract management processes and ensure adherence to international trade regulations.

• Advise on licensing negotiations, software licensing agreements, and joint development agreements across multiple jurisdictions, facilitating successful cross-border transactions valued at over $50 million annually
• Develop and implement comprehensive contract management systems, reducing contract cycle time by 35% and improving compliance tracking across 200+ active agreements
• Provide expert guidance on export control compliance, customs regulations, and cross-border regulatory frameworks, ensuring full adherence to U.S. and European Union requirements
• Draft and negotiate complex contractual agreements including non-disclosure agreements, buy-sell agreements, and licensing arrangements, protecting organizational interests and mitigating legal risks
• Collaborate with business units on intellectual property strategy, including patent law matters, trademark protection, and trade secrets management
• Lead dispute resolution efforts and provide litigation support for contract disputes, intellectual property infringement claims, and employment law matters
• Conduct legal revision of corporate policies and procedures to ensure compliance with data security protection regulations and evolving legal standards

Senior Legal Counsel
Horizon Technology Ventures, New York, New York
March 2017 – December 2020

Managed diverse legal portfolio encompassing corporate law, employment law, and commercial transactions for a multinational technology organization. Provided comprehensive legal support for M&A activities, divestitures, and complex licensing transactions.

• Negotiated and drafted software licensing agreements, joint development agreements, and professional services contracts with aggregate value exceeding $30 million
• Supported three major divestitures and two strategic acquisitions, conducting due diligence and managing transaction documentation from LOI through closing
• Provided day-to-day counsel on employment law matters, including workforce restructuring, executive compensation, and conflict resolution
• Developed training programs on contract negotiation, intellectual property protection, and export control compliance for business stakeholders
• Managed litigation portfolio including oversight of outside counsel, case strategy development, and preparation of pleadings and motions
• Advised on enforcement and sanctions matters related to trade compliance violations

Associate Attorney
Meridian Legal Partners, Boston, Massachusetts
June 2013 – February 2017

Provided legal counsel on commercial transactions, intellectual property matters, and corporate governance issues. Supported senior attorneys in complex litigation and appellate practice matters.

• Drafted and negotiated various contractual agreements including licensing agreements, non-disclosure agreements, and vendor contracts
• Conducted legal research and analysis on patent law, trademark law, and trade secrets issues
• Prepared pleadings, motions, and appellate briefs for commercial litigation matters
• Advised clients on corporate law matters including entity formation, governance, and compliance
• Managed contract lifecycle from negotiation through execution and renewal for 100+ commercial agreements
• Provided litigation support including discovery management, witness preparation, and trial assistance

Legal Associate
Cornerstone Law Group, Chicago, Illinois
September 2011 – May 2013

Supported law firm's corporate and intellectual property practice groups in transactional matters and litigation support activities.

• Conducted due diligence reviews for M&A transactions and licensing deals
• Drafted contractual agreements, amendments, and legal memoranda
• Researched intellectual property infringement issues and prepared analysis for client advisement
• Assisted with document drafting for commercial transactions and corporate governance matters
• Supported senior attorneys in contract negotiations and client consultations

EDUCATION

Juris Doctor (J.D.)
Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, D.C.
Graduated: May 2011

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Howard University, Washington, D.C.
Graduated: May 2008

PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

Licensed to practice law in District of Columbia, Bar Number: 456789
Admitted: 2011

SKILLS

Legal Practice: Corporate Law, Contract Law, Intellectual Property Law, Employment Law, Patent Law, Trademark Law, Trade Secrets, Litigation, Appellate Practice

Transactional: Contract Negotiation, Contract Management, Licensing Negotiations, Software Licensing, M&A Transactions, Divestitures, Cross-border Transactions, Buy-sell Agreements

Compliance & Regulatory: Export Control Compliance, Customs Regulations, Cross-border Regulation, European Union Regulations, Data Security Protection, Enforcement and Sanctions

Legal Operations: Document Drafting, Legal Revision, Pleadings and Motions Drafting, Contract Lifecycle Management, Law Department Management, Litigation Support

Specialized: Non-Disclosure Agreements, Joint Development Agreements, Licensing Agreements, Professional Services Agreements, Intellectual Property Infringement Analysis

Professional: Consulting, Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, Strategic Advisory

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Member, American Bar Association
Member, International Association of Privacy Professionals

LANGUAGES

English (Native)
Amharic (Native)
French (Professional Working Proficiency)