Four Decades of Legal Excellence in Somalia
Legal Excellence Serving Somalia and Beyond
Mogadishu Law Office has provided comprehensive legal services in Somalia for over four decades. Founded in 1984, we are one of the country’s most established law firms, with deep roots in Somali legal practice and extensive experience serving international clients across multiple jurisdictions.
Our History
Our firm began operations in 1984 during a pivotal period in Somalia’s legal development. Like many institutions, we faced significant challenges during the civil conflict of the 1990s. In 2004, we resumed full operations with renewed commitment to legal excellence and expanded our practice to meet the evolving needs of both domestic and international clients.
This experience of rebuilding and adaptation has given us unique insight into Somalia’s legal landscape. We understand both the historical foundations of Somali law and its modern applications in today’s global business environment.
Where We Operate
We maintain offices throughout Southern and Central Somalia, as well as Somaliland, providing comprehensive legal coverage across the region. This multi-jurisdictional presence allows us to serve clients effectively regardless of where their legal matters arise within Somalia’s territories.
Our strategic office locations ensure we can respond quickly to client needs and maintain strong relationships with local courts, government agencies, and business communities throughout the country.
Leadership and Experience
The firm is led by two senior partners who bring over 54 years of combined legal experience to our practice:
Abdiwahid Osman Haji serves as Managing Partner and heads our Commercial Practice. His decades of experience in Somali commercial law and cross-border transactions make him a trusted advisor for international businesses entering the Somali market.
Dr. Aweis Ahmed is our Senior Partner and leads both Corporate Services and Real Estate practices. His expertise spans corporate compliance, mergers and acquisitions, and complex real estate transactions.
Our legal team includes nine qualified associate lawyers, all holding current practicing certificates from the Somali Bar Association. We also work with a network of external legal experts and maintain professional support staff to ensure comprehensive service delivery.
Practice Areas
We provide legal services across the full spectrum of commercial and corporate law. Our Commercial Practice handles day-to-day business operations, contract negotiations, and regulatory compliance. The Corporate Services team manages company formations, corporate governance, and major transactions including mergers and acquisitions.
Our specialized practice groups focus on key sectors of Somalia’s economy. The Infrastructure and Projects team works on major development initiatives, while our Oil and Gas practice serves energy sector clients. We maintain strong capabilities in Telecommunications law, reflecting this sector’s importance in Somalia’s economic development.
Additional practice areas include Real Estate and Finance, where we handle property transactions, development projects, and financing arrangements. Our Taxation practice helps clients navigate Somalia’s evolving tax framework. The Shipping and Trade team serves Somalia’s vital maritime commerce sector.
When disputes arise, our Litigation and Arbitration practice provides skilled advocacy across Somalia’s court system and in alternative dispute resolution proceedings. We also maintain specialized expertise in Labor and Employment law and Anti-Corruption compliance.
International Reach and Language Capabilities
We serve clients throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. This international client base reflects our ability to work effectively across different legal systems and business cultures.
Our team provides legal services in Somali, English, Italian, and Arabic. This multilingual capability ensures clear communication with diverse international clients and allows us to work effectively with documents and proceedings in multiple languages.
Government and Business Connections
Through four decades of practice, we have developed strong working relationships with government institutions at all levels. Our experience includes drafting legislation across multiple sectors and participating in policy development processes that shape Somalia’s regulatory framework.
We maintain extensive connections within Somalia’s private sector and work closely with international organizations and multinational corporations. These relationships enable us to provide clients with valuable market intelligence and facilitate introductions that support their business objectives.
Our Approach
We focus on delivering practical, business-oriented legal solutions. Our deep understanding of Somalia’s legal system, combined with knowledge of international legal standards, allows us to bridge different legal frameworks effectively.
Whether you need assistance with a complex international transaction, regulatory compliance, dispute resolution, or day-to-day legal support, our team brings the experience and local knowledge necessary to achieve your objectives in Somalia’s dynamic business environment.
Contact Information:
Dr. Aweis Ahmed: +252-61-233-6216 | a.ahmed@mogadishulawoffice.com
Dr. Abdiwahid Osman Haji: +252-61-763-8253 | abdiwahid@mogadishulawoffice.com
Mogadishu Law Office – Your trusted legal partner in East Africa
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1984
Establishment in Mogadishu
MLO was founded by two partners with a vision to provide comprehensive legal services to Somalia's growing business community. The firm initially focused on commercial and corporate law.
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1990
Adapting to Change
As Somalia entered a period of significant transition, MLO maintained its commitment to legal excellence while adapting its services to meet emerging challenges. The firm's partners continued their practice internationally.
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2004
Renaissance and Return
MLO re-established its presence in Somalia, opening offices in multiple regions. This period marked the beginning of our expanded practice areas and renewed focus on supporting Somalia's reconstruction.
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2010
Regional Expansion
Established presence in Somaliland and Central Somalia, becoming one of the first law firms to offer comprehensive legal services across all regions of Somalia.
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2013
International Recognition
MLO began serving major international organizations and multinational corporations, establishing itself as a key facilitator for foreign investment in Somalia.
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2015
Practice Area Expansion
Launched specialized practice groups in Energy, Infrastructure, and Telecommunications, responding to Somalia's emerging economic needs.
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2019
Digital Transformation
Modernized our service delivery with digital solutions while maintaining our traditional strengths in relationship-based legal counsel.
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2022
Knowledge Leadership
Established our public legal resources initiative, including our comprehensive legislative database, reinforcing our commitment to legal transparency in Somalia.
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2024
Four Decades of Excellence
Today, MLO stands as Somalia's premier law firm, with over 64 years of combined partner experience, serving clients across four continents and maintaining our position as a trusted advisor in Somalia's legal landscape.
Connect with MLO’s legal team by visiting our nearest office or submitting your inquiry online. Our multilingual team is ready to support your legal needs.
Dr. Aweis Ahmed
Telephone: +252-61-233-6216
a.ahmed@mogadishulawoffice.com
Dr. Abdiwahid Osman Haji
Telephone: +252-61-763-8253
abdiwahid@mogadishulawoffice.com