Four Decades of Legal Excellence in Somalia

Our Heritage

Established in 1984, Mogadishu Law Office (MLO) has been at the forefront of Somalia’s legal landscape for four decades. Following Somalia’s civil conflict, we proudly resumed operations in 2004, maintaining our commitment to legal excellence while adapting to the evolving needs of our clients.

Our Presence

With strategic offices across Southern and Central Somalia, as well as Somaliland, MLO provides comprehensive legal coverage throughout the region. Our multi-jurisdictional presence enables us to serve clients effectively across all of Somalia’s territories.

Leadership & Expertise

Senior Partnership

Our firm is led by two distinguished partners with over 54 years of combined legal experience:

• Abdiwahid Osman Haji – Managing Partner, Head of Commercial Practice
• Aweis Ahmed – Senior Partner, Head of Corporate & Real Estate

Practice Heads & Specializations

Our dedicated practice leaders bring deep expertise to their respective areas:

Commercial & Corporate

• Commercial Practice – Abdiwahid Osman Haji
• Corporate Services & Compliance – Aweis Ahmed
• M&A and Private Equity – Aweis Ahmed

Dispute Resolution & Regulatory

• Litigation & Arbitration – Mohamed Abdurahman
• Labor & Employment – Mohamed Abdurahman
• Anti-Corruption & Bribery – Mohamed Abdurahman

Projects & Specialized Practice

• Infrastructure & Projects – Hodan Abdi
• Oil & Gas – Hodan Abdi
• Telecommunications – Hodan Abdi

Finance & Commerce

• Real Estate & Finance – Aweis Ahmed
• Taxation – Abdullahi Aden
• Shipping & Trade – Abdullahi Aden

Our Team

The firm comprises:

• 2 Senior Partners
• 9 Qualified Associate Lawyers
• Network of External Legal Experts
• Support Professional Staff

All our advocates hold current practicing certificates from the Somali Bar Association, ensuring the highest professional standards.

Language Capabilities

We provide seamless legal services in:

• Somali
• English
• Italian
• Arabic

International Reach

Our client base spans:

• North America
• Europe
• Middle East
• Asia
• Africa

Organizational Capability

Government Relations

MLO maintains strong relationships with government institutions, demonstrated through:

• Our firm brings extensive experience in drafting legislation across multiple sectors, contributing to Somalia’s evolving legal framework.
• We actively participate in policy development processes, working closely with government agencies to shape effective regulatory solutions.
• Through decades of practice, we have established strong connections with regulatory bodies, enabling efficient resolution of complex matters.
• Our expertise in government negotiations has helped numerous international clients successfully navigate public-private partnerships.

Business Innovation

Our firm has been instrumental in:

• We facilitate international investment by providing comprehensive legal guidance for foreign investors entering the Somali market.
• Our team specializes in structuring complex cross-border transactions that align with both international standards and local requirements.
• We develop innovative legal solutions that address the unique challenges of Somalia’s emerging market environment.
• Our deep understanding of Somalia’s post-conflict regulatory framework enables us to guide clients through complex business environments.

Professional Network

We maintain:

• Our extensive private sector connections span major industries, providing clients with valuable insights and business opportunities.
• We leverage strong public sector relationships to help clients navigate regulatory requirements and government processes effectively.
• Through our international professional partnerships, we offer clients access to global legal expertise and market intelligence.
• We provide access to specialized consultants who bring deep expertise in specific industries and technical areas.

Market Position

As Somalia emerges as a key business hub in Africa, MLO stands uniquely positioned to:

• We bridge international and local legal frameworks by combining global best practices with deep local knowledge.
• Our expertise in facilitating cross-border transactions ensures smooth execution of international business operations.
• We help clients navigate complex regulatory environments through our comprehensive understanding of local and international law.
• Our firm actively supports business growth and development by providing strategic legal guidance aligned with business objectives.

Our Commitment

We remain dedicated to:

• We maintain the highest standards of legal excellence through continuous professional development and knowledge sharing.
• Our focus on client success drives us to deliver practical, business-oriented solutions that achieve measurable results.
• We uphold professional integrity in all our dealings, ensuring transparent and ethical legal practice.
• Our position as a market leader is maintained through innovation and adaptation to evolving legal and business needs.
• We contribute to community development through pro bono work and support for local legal capacity building.