A practice rooted in place.
Wendwosen Hirpo is an Ethiopian advocate whose practice began in intellectual property and now covers contracts, business formation and litigation before the Federal courts. He advises entrepreneurs, companies and rights-holders from his chambers in Bole, Addis Ababa.
From the IP office to private practice.
Wendwosen read law at Addis Ababa University (AAU), earning his LL.B. in 2006. He later returned to AAU for graduate study, completing an LL.M. with a focus on intellectual property and commercial law — a foundation that has shaped his practice since.
His early career was unusual for the Ethiopian bar of his generation: rather than move directly into general litigation, he committed his first years to intellectual property law, advising inventors, businesses and creators on patents, trademarks and copyright. He went on to serve as a senior legal expert at the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office (EIPO), working on the examination of patent and trademark applications, opposition proceedings and IP policy.
That grounding in IP gives the practice its distinctive cast. Clients are received at the chambers in Bole, and every matter is handled personally by Wendwosen — from first consultation to final filing.
Milestones.
- 2006
LL.B., Addis Ababa University (AAU) School of Law.
- 2008
Admitted to practise before the Federal Courts of Ethiopia; began practice as an intellectual property attorney advising local innovators and rights-holders.
- 2011
Joined the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office (EIPO) as a senior legal expert — patent and trademark examination, oppositions and IP policy.
- 2014
LL.M., Addis Ababa University, with a focus on intellectual property and commercial law.
- 2016
Founded Wendwosen Hirpo & Associates in the Bole district of Addis Ababa.
- Addis Ababa University School of LawLL.M., Intellectual Property & Commercial Law · 2014
- Addis Ababa University School of LawLL.B. · 2006
- Wendwosen Hirpo & AssociatesFounder · Bole, Addis Ababa · 2016 – present
- Ethiopian Intellectual Property OfficeFormer Senior Legal Expert
- Federal Courts of EthiopiaAdvocate